Warren County teen convicted in 2020 murder case

Published 4:37 pm Monday, February 28, 2022

A Warren County teenager has been convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of another teen, District Attorney Ricky Smith said.

Kemond Urell Jones, 17, was accused in the Sept. 7, 2020, shooting death of Ethan Powell, 18. Jones, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, was automatically certified as an adult to stand trial because he committed a felony using a deadly weapon. He turned 17 in February.

Smith said Circuit Judge M. James Chaney has set a sentencing hearing for Jones for March 21 at 2 p.m. The sentence for first-degree murder is life in prison without parole, but Smith said Jones’ sentence will be determined at the hearing.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

“Because of his age, there will have to be a sentencing hearing; had he been above the age of 18, it would have been an automatic life sentence but there has to be a sentencing hearing and the judge has broad discretion on what the sentence will be,” Smith said.

According to Warren County Sheriff’s Office reports, the shooting was the result of an argument between Powell and Jones in the 100 block of Abraham Drive. At some point, Jones produced a handgun and shot Powell multiple times.

Deputies responding just after midnight on Sept. 7, 2020 to a call that shots were fired in the 100 block of Abraham Drive arrived to find Powell lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds.

Powell was taken to Merit Health River Region, where he was pronounced dead by doctors in the hospital emergency room.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

email author More by John