Just days after 15-year-old Carly Gregg was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her mother, Ashley Smylie, her biological father, Kevin Gregg, has given his first interview, providing a deeper insight into the tragic Carly Gregg Story. The Mississippi teenager’s case has gripped the nation, and her father’s perspective adds another layer to this disturbing narrative.
Carly Gregg, then 14, fatally shot her mother, Ashley Smylie, a 40-year-old high school teacher, on March 19. The incident occurred shortly after they returned home from school. According to reports from The Clarion Ledger, WLBT, and WJTV, the weapon used was a .357 Magnum pistol. The details of the crime and subsequent trial have unveiled a complex and heartbreaking Carly Gregg story.
In an exclusive interview with WLBT, published on September 26, Kevin Gregg, Carly’s father, shared his emotional turmoil upon learning of Ashley’s death. “Ashamed, embarrassed, angry, upset, very sad,” he described his feelings. “I loved Ashley Smylie too. We were married for almost a decade.” His words underscore the profound personal tragedy at the heart of the Carly Gregg story.
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The trial introduced testimony from Dr. Andrew Clark, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, who stated that Carly had been experiencing depression and had been prescribed medication that induced numbness. The Clarion-Ledger reported that Dr. Clark also testified about Carly hearing voices that had worsened leading up to the shooting and a history of self-harm. This psychiatric aspect became a significant part of the Carly Gregg story, raising questions about her mental state at the time of the murder.
However, during closing arguments, State Attorney Michael Smith asserted to the jury that Carly was fully aware of her actions. Kevin Gregg echoed this sentiment in his interview with WBLT. “That girl knew right from wrong,” he stated firmly. “That girl is not insane. That was a very dumb defense if you asked me, but I wasn’t involved. Nobody ever called me.” His perspective provides a contrasting viewpoint within the ongoing Carly Gregg story narrative.
Further chilling details emerged during the trial. Prosecutor Kathryn White Newman revealed that immediately after the shooting, Carly invited a friend over. Upon the friend’s arrival, Carly reportedly asked, “Are you squeamish around dead bodies?” before showing her friend her mother’s body, which lay on the bedroom floor with three gunshot wounds, as reported by CourtTV and WAPT. The Carly Gregg story took another dark turn with the revelation that she then allegedly ambushed her stepfather, Heath Smylie, intending to kill him when he returned home.
Heath Smylie testified that “the gun went off in my face before the door was open,” as reported by ABC7. After a struggle, Heath managed to disarm Carly and call 911. In the distressing 911 call, he exclaimed, “She killed her mom.” Carly fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after near their home, adding to the dramatic arc of the Carly Gregg story.
On September 20, Carly Gregg was convicted on all charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence, and sentenced to life in prison by a Rankin County, Miss., jury. Reports from The Clarion-Ledger, WAPT, and WLBT confirmed the verdict, marking a somber chapter in the Carly Gregg story. Her father’s recent interview offers a poignant and personal reflection on this tragic case, leaving many to grapple with the complexities of the Carly Gregg story and its devastating consequences.
