Murder trial delayed as defendant sent to state hospital

Rodricus Carltez Hurst Jr.

Hurst

TUPELO – A man accused of killing his step-mother nearly two years ago will be sent to the state hospital in hopes of recovering his competency to stand trial.

During a mental exam earlier this year, a psychologist determined that Rodrick's Hurst Jr., 22, was not able confer with his attorney completely but, with treatment, he could be restored to competency.

Circuit Court Judge Michael "Chip" Mills Jr. said that before the state can proceed with prosecution, the state and the court has to determine if the defendant is able to understand the court proceedings, can rationally communicate with their attorney and can testify on their own behalf, if appropriate.

"At this time, (Dr. Criss Lott, a Jackson clinical and forensic psychologist) made the determination that Mr. Hurst does not have a reasonable degree of competency, … that he is actively mentally ill and has refused mental health assistance at the Lee County Jail," Mills said during a competency hearing Wednesday morning. "He has an understanding of the charges against him but cannot confer with his attorney. (The doctor) made the recommendation that he be sent to the state hospital for a forensic evaluation and treatment. (Lott) feels he can be restored to competency."

Tupelo police responded to Smokey Mountain Drive just before 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, and found a shirtless Hurst standing in the middle of the street. He reportedly told officers to go ahead and put him in cuffs and said he had a lawyer.

While clearing the residence, officers found an AR-style rifle in Hurst's room. His stepmother, Stacie Hurst, 42, was found dead in the master bathroom. During Hurst's initial appearance, a detective testified that there was one bullet hole in the master bedroom door, which had been kicked in, and another six bullet holes in the bathroom door.

Hurst was charged with first-degree murder, denied bond following his arrest that morning and has remained incarcerated for the last 20 months.

It is not known how long Hurst will be under the care of the state hospital or if he will ever be deemed competent to stand trial.

Mills said he understood that this is a very difficult case for everyone involved, and he would prefer if there was not a time delay.

"The family of the victim would like to see this resolved in a reasonable time, but the court is bound by the law," Mills said. "He will receive restorative treatment. I will fashion an order to have the state hospital give the court regular updates so that as soon as he becomes competent, we'll be ready to go to trial."

This case is not the first for Hurst involving a shooting.

In the summer of 2020, when Hurst was 16, he was involved with a shooting between two groups on people in the area of South Canal and Hankins streets where a house and a car were shot up. He was certified as an adult and indicted for shooting into a moving vehicle. The case was later transferred back to Lee County Youth Court.

Because youth court files are sealed, the outcome of that case is not known.

In October 2022, Hurst was named by the Verona Police Department as a suspect after two men were shot at a Raymond Street (Highway 145) residence in broad daylight. One man was just inside the door and his adult son was in a car in the driveway when four shots rang out.

Hurst was never arrested or indicted for that crime.

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