Man convicted of murdering 7 year-old - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Man convicted of murdering 7 year-old

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JEFFERSON DAVIS COUNTY, MS (WLBT) - A Jefferson Davis County man is convicted of capital murder for the kidnapping and death of 7-year-old Jamaya Griffith.

Forty-year-old Johnny Ray Sims was found guilty of the crime which happened back in March of 2006. Testimony from the week long trial in Prentiss revealed Griffith's body was found partially clothed inside a closet at Sims home. She had been stabbed 12 times.

Once the guilty verdict was read members of Jamaya's family fought to hold back emotions of relief, but out side the courthouse, it was a different story.

"Oh it's been a nightmare, I mean, it's tore my whole family down. But, pray, and hope God we can get our life back together," said Tara Harper, grandmother of the victim.

Sims was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was also sentenced as a habitual offender because of previous felony convictions.

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