RIPLEY, Miss. (Court TV) — A mistrial has been declared in the case of a Mississippi man accused of killing his daughter’s boyfriend during a robbery. The judge announced the mistrial after the jury of 12 revealed they were hopelessly deadlocked in a six to six split.
Jeffrey Spence appears in court during his murder trial Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (Court TV)
Jeffrey Spence was charged with murder in the death of Kirby Carpenter, who was found dead outside his home.
Prosecutors said Spence plotted with his wife and their daughter, Caitlin Spence, who was dating the victim. Caitlin previously pleaded guilty to a charge of accessory to murder as part of an agreement with prosecutors that will require her to testify against her parents, Explore Jefferson reported. Karen, initially scheduled to stand trial with her husband, pleaded guilty one day before jury selection to accessory to grand larceny after the fact and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Caitlin called 911 to report finding Carpenter’s body on Dec. 2, 2022, but investigators say he was murdered days before, on Nov. 30, 2022. Carpenter’s body was found outside near a shed, with a curtain covering his body. A toolbox was also left on top of his body. First responders noted drag marks between Carpenter’s body and a pool of blood in the carport.
Carpenter, described as a businessman, was known to carry large amounts of money. His mother told officers that he always had a bag with him containing $200,000 to $300,000 in cash, silver or gold. When Carpenter was found, he had $2,868 in cash on him.
Karen (L) and Caitlin (R) Spence pleaded guilty to being accessories in the death of Kirby Carpenter. (Tippah County Jail)
In the months before Carpenter’s murder, Caitlin had given birth to the couple’s child, and her parents had come from their home in Virginia to stay with them and help. Caitlin told officers that her parents left town and returned to their home on Nov. 29. But Jeff was called to the attention of investigators after Carpenter’s mother also noticed a bag of silver coins worth thousands of dollars in the trunk of his vehicle.
One year after Carpenter’s murder, investigators got a key piece of evidence they needed in the form of a witness: a former employee of Carpenter’s named David Barnes. When Barnes was arrested for burglary on Nov. 2, 2023, he began crying and told the police that Caitlin told him that “things got out of hand and Jeff Spence killed Kirby.”
For now, Spence will remain in custody. A new trial date for 2026 is expected to be announced.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 4 – 9/29/25
- LIVESTREAM: MS v. Jeffrey Spence – Day 4 | Plotting Parents Murder Trial
- State’s closing argument delivered by Thad Mueller
- Argued that Jeffrey, driven by greed, murdered Carpenter on Nov. 30, 2022 after him robbing him.
- Recounted Caitlin’s testimony, who testified her father told her had gone back to deliver a package of drugs, and later his “waterfall confession” in June 2023.
- Carpenter’s safety deposit box at the bank was opened on Dec. 2, two hours before his body was found.
- A full loaded, muddy shotgun wrapped in a jacket was found under Jeffrey’s bed at his Virginia home.
- Security cameras at both Carpenter’s home and Spence’s property had been disabled. Prosecutors noted that Spence knew where Carpenter kept his spare key through information provided by Caitlin, eliminating the need to break in.
- Evidence at the crime scene suggested a violent struggle. Investigators found signs of a scuffle in the garage, with mud on the victim’s pants, indicating his body had been dragged.
- WATCH: State: ‘There’s A Lot Of Evidence… Everything Points to Jeff Spence’
- Defense’s closing argument delivered by David Hill
- Argues the prosecution’s timeline is impossible – would require 30-36 hours of driving over 2000 miles.
- Argues Caitlin fabricated evidence to save herself and alleges she was involved in Carpenter’s supposed drug dealing and gun running.
- Argues David Barnes, a key witness who didn’t testify at trial, is not a credible witness and he was just trying to find relief for himself.
- Argues there’s no proof of when Jeff came into possession of items found in bank box.
- Argues Carpenter was an alleged drug dealer with lots of enemies and was violent and emotionally abusive to Caitlin.
- After deliberating for just under three hours, the jury sent a note telling the judge they’re unable to reach a unanimous decision. They said they were divided six to six: An even split. The judge told them to deliberate some more.
- After deliberating for about 4.5 hours, a mistrial was declared. The jury remained deadlocked 6 to 6. For now, Spence will remain in custody. A new trial date is expected to be set for 2026.
- After the judge declared a mistrial, victim Kirby Carpenter’s mother collapsed and passed out. She was seen overcome with emotion and openly wailing in court. Paramedics were called and thankfully she is OK.
DAY 3 – 9/26/25
- LIVESTREAM: MS v. Jeffrey Spence – Day 3 | Plotting Parents Murder Trial
- Carolyn Aguayo, Jeffrey Spence’s daughter, took the stand to testify to tense family dynamics. She is one year apart in age from Caitlin.
- Jeff and Karen moved in with Carolyn and her husband, Gio, in August 2014 due to financial issues. Jeff was facing embezzlement charges and had no job.
- The two couples moved to Virginia, where the plan was to build a cabin for Jeff and Karen.
- Jeff would frequently watch TV shows like “Breaking Bad” and “The Blacklist” and make comments about them. Caitlin said he would learn from the shows and said that if he were to kill someone, he would use a shotgun, because you only have to shoot someone once, and it’s easier to dispose of the cartridges.
- Jeff allegedly cut the cord to the Aguayos’ security camera after he was asked to remove his belongings from the property. He later returned with a knife to cut the fence zip tie and was accused of taking tools and legal documents from the couple’s home.
- Carolyn said she stopped speaking to both of her parents, and said that her mother would drive her father to commit crimes; she said her family is known to speak in code.
- WATCH: Jeffrey Spence’s Daughter Says Dad Said He’d Kill With a Shotgun
- WATCH: Jeffrey Spence’s Daughter: ‘I Saw an Anger and a Violence in His Eyes’
- The state rested its case-in-chief.
- Jeffrey Spence declined to testify.
- The defense rested its case without calling any witnesses.
- WATCH: Plotting Parents Murder Trial: Day 3 Recap
DAY 2 – 9/25/25
- LIVESTREAM: MS v. Jeffrey Spence – Day 2 | Plotting Parents Murder Trial
- Asst. Chief Scott Watson, Ripley Police Department:
- Testified about cellphone extraction performed on phones belonging to Karen Spence, Jeffrey Spence and victim Kirby Carpenter.
- Responded to the scene where Carpenter’s body was found in his duties as a deputy coroner for Tippah County; observed injuries to right neck and right shoulder. Testified he knew Carpenter personally.
- An autopsy was performed by a medical examiner in Jackson. The cause of death was determined to be shotgun wounds to the neck and chest, and the manner of death was homicide. The toxicology report did not detect any drugs or alcohol in Carpenter’s system.
- Brad Johnson, Smyth County Sheriff’s Office
- Arrested Jeffrey Spence and Karen Spence (separately) in Virginia. Testified that Jeffrey’s demeanor was ‘solemn’ and he didn’t say much. Karen was calm but nervous.
- Searched a silver Cadillac during the arrest of Jeffrey and found keys to a safety deposit box, keys to a storage unit, two phones and approximately $17K in cash, some wrapped in tin foil.
- In a safety deposit box belonging to Jeffrey, they found coins, cash, Federal Reserve plastics, wills, counterfeit/prop money and $90 check from Kirby Carpenter to David Barnes dated 4/20/22.
- On cross-examination, the defense established that most items in the safety deposit box were commercial products, some items had Kirby Carpenter’s name, but most didn’t clearly indicate ownership, and there was no way to determine when Jeffrey came into possession of the items.
- Lt. Tony McCormick, Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, testified about executing a search warrant as part of the 2023 investigation into Jeffrey and Karen Spence.
- Conducted the search in Smyth County, Virginia, targeting the Spence residence.
- Recovered a shotgun from the master bedroom, unwrapped from a blue jacket.
- Noted that Karen Spence denied any firearms in the home prior to the search.
- Found a box containing six shotgun shells, a mix of green and red buckshot, inside the firearm.
- Presented both the shotgun and the blue jacket to the jury as physical evidence.
- Was asked about precious metals and gold/silver coins, acknowledged Jeff Spence’s known interest but could not locate transactions in the area.
- Discovered money wrapped in aluminum foil, explaining this as a common method to make currency easier to locate with a metal detector.
- Stated the U-Haul on scene was empty, and documented all items collected with photographs entered as evidence.
- Caitlin Spence, Daughter of Jeff Spence and Girlfriend of Kirby Carpenter, testified about family relationships, the timeline of Kirby Carpenter’s death, her communications with her parents, and her father’s alleged involvement.
- Grew up in Brookville, PA, moved to Booneville, MS; met and began relationship with Kirby Carpenter in 2020.
- Confirmed living with Kirby and their young child Enola at the time of his death; Kirby’s son Townes also resided in the home.
- Described her work schedule and movements on November 29th and 30th, detailing lack of communication with her father during critical hours.
- Explained finding Kirby missing and later discovering his body on the property, after searching with Kirby’s mother Mattie Jane.
- Stated that her father later confessed to returning to Mississippi, bringing a package of drugs for Kirby to resell, and recommended she “keep her mouth shut.”
- Recounted a waterfall walk conversation with her father, where he became angry and stressed her only responsibility was Enola, implying she “should lose Enola” if she spoke out.
- Provided context for family texts, including one message where Jeff Spence suggested opening a business called “Assassin Inc.”
- On cross, clarified Kirby was a drug dealer but denied personal involvement in drug or gun sales. Admitted to seeing suspicious activity at the house.
- Confirmed history of emotional and physical abuse in her relationship with Kirby, but stressed she tried to work through problems and didn’t move Kirby’s body after discovering it.
- Identified various enemies and conflicts Kirby had, including disputes over money and business dealings; described heated altercations posted on Facebook.
- Defense challenged Caitlin’s credibility and timeline, pointing to changed testimony years later and texts placing her father far from Booneville at crucial moments.
- On redirect, Caitlin stated she had processed her father’s confession over time, brought an attorney with her to law enforcement interviews, and affirmed that only her father admitted responsibility for Kirby’s death.
- Expressed her hope that her father would eventually tell the truth, described emotional impact and stated her motivation was to “stay strong for Enola” and bring truth to light.
- MORE: Caitlin Spence testifies against dad, but still admits victim dealt drugs
DAY 1 – 9/24/25
- LIVESTREAM: MS v. Jeffrey Spence – Day 1 | Plotting Parents Murder Trial
- Prosecutor Thad Mueller tells the jury in his opening statement that Jeffrey Spence was motivated by money and greed to rob and murder his daughter’s boyfriend, Kirby Carpenter.
- Jeff’s daughter, Caitlin, met Carpenter at a Tractor Supply store. The couple welcomed a child in July 2022.
- Carpenter was killed on Nov. 30. Cailtin called 911 on Dec. 2 and reported finding his body.
- During a search of the Spence home, investigators found items belonging to Carpenter.
- WATCH: Plotting Parents Murder Trial: Opening Statements
- Defense attorney David Hill told the jury that Jeff was at his home in Virginia the day Carpenter was murdered and questioned the credibility of key witness David Barnes.
- Hill said Jeff and Karen had been in Mississippi visiting Caitlin and Carpenter for Thanksgiving, but left on Nov. 29, the day before he was killed. Hill said Jeff wasn’t charged until one year after Carpenter’s murder.
- Detailed Barnes’ extensive criminal history and questioned Caitlin’s credibility as a witness.
- Said Carpenter lived a high-risk and dangerous life and regularly received threats from people he did business with, even alleging Carpenter sold lab diamonds to a Tenn. jeweler and sold meth.
- Said Jeffrey bought items from Carpenter, and that’s why he had them in his possession.
- Investigator Chris McAllister, who responded to the scene, testified about Caitlin’s 911 and detailed the crime scene.
- A distraught Caitlin Spence called 911. Most of the call was inaudible as a dispatcher tried to calm Caitlin down and get details.
- Carpenter’s body was located next to his driveway, about 30 feet from the carport. The doors to his truck were locked, groceries were inside, and the keys and a large amount of cash were still in Carpenter’s pocket.
- Crime scene photos show a curtain was draped over his body, and a toolbox placed on top. McAllister testified that there were drag marks.
- McAllister testified that with his 20 years of experience, it seemed that someone who knew Carpenter killed him, suggesting a robber would try to get in and out as fast as possible.
- Carpenter’s body had a gunshot wound to his right chest.
- A satchel that Carpenter was known to carry was missing.
- Carpenter’s security system, Blink, had not captured anything during the timeframe.
- Bart Adams, Estate Attorney for Kirby Carpenter, testified about asset/security issues after Kirby’s death.
- Knew Kirby Carpenter for 12–15 years as an acquaintance and client; familiar with Kirby’s businesses: gold/silver trading, liquor, real estate, and his involvement in music.
- Confirmed: Kirby collected valuable coins and guitars; frequently dealt in gold, silver, and coins.
- Stated he trusted Kirby in transactions; Kirby always carried cash and a pistol; used a satchel for paperwork/deeds/cash.
- Learned of Kirby’s death from the sheriff, who called while someone was suspected of loading bags of silver from Kirby’s house into a vehicle.
- Opened Kirby’s estate the same day as his death; no will found, estate goes to his children.
- Designated Mattie Jane (Kirby’s mother) as the estate administrator; her duties included securing and marshaling assets.
- Multiple people (Mattie, Caitlin, Jeff, Karen) had taken items from the house; Bart directed all items be returned for inventory.
- Described extreme clutter in the house and garage, making inventory difficult.
- Instructed Mattie Jane to secure and lock up the property (house, trailers) to prevent further loss.
- Was informed that Jeff was seen removing bags of silver and other items from the home.
- Arranged to store estate property in the old Mississippi National Guard vault due to concerns about theft and contention among potential heirs.
- Only he and a sheriff’s deputy knew the code to the safes; codes changed after Kirby’s death.
- Armory/vault was broken into (January 2023), but nothing was stolen (power was cut, windows damaged).
- Later moved items to his law office (with assistance from the auction company), including valuable coins and bills.
- That night, his office was broken into and almost everything taken; loss estimated at $3,000–$4,000 (no inventory had been completed yet).
- Auction house was contracted to handle inventory and disposition of estate assets.
- Total estimated estate value = $1.5 million.
- Unsold assets include a house, 120 acres, guns, and personal items.
- Noted surprisingly little cash or gold in the estate; only a small amount of each was found.
- Discussed creditors’ claims: mortgage, personal/lender debts, and rent for the gold/silver shop.
- Confirmed all liens were eventually satisfied.
- Addressed disputed/contingent debt relating to Ray Palmer (liquor store), which resulted in a lawsuit by the estate; no knowledge of arguments between Kirby and Palmer.
Parts of this story were reported by a journalist and converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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