Second MS Coast resident is sentenced in missing man’s murder. ‘Nothing will make this better’
A second person pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping this week in the July 2022 armed robbery and shooting death of Cody Vanderra Smith, according to Harrison County prosecutors.
Jerry Cornelius Parkman, 27, of Delisle, entered the plea before Special Judge Steve Simpson. The judge sentenced Parkman to a total of 40 years in prison, with 20 years suspended and 20 years to serve in prison for the crime.
The judge also ordered that Parkman serve five years under post-release supervision, pay a $2,000 fine, and pay restitution to cover the funeral expenses for the victim.
Last week, Angel “Lexy” Pierce, 21, of Biloxi, was sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years for the crime.
Simpson imposed the sentences against Pierce after pressing her to explain what made her “take part in something like this?”
“I was angry about a lot of things, and I was on drugs,” Pierce said.
Before sentencing Parkman, Simpson said: “Everyone acknowledges it should not have happened, but no one has a logical explanation for why it occurred. People, like Cody Smith’s family, are left asking why for the rest of their lives. Why did you do it?”
In response, Parkman had no explanation for the crime other than to say, “Lexi said she wanted him dead.” In addition, he said, he thought that if he didn’t take part in the crime, his co-defendants “might turn on me with the shotgun.”
Harrison County deputies found the decomposed remains of the 24-year-old Hinds County man about 10 months after he disappeared over the Fourth of July weekend in 2022. The investigation began when deputies received a missing person report from the Byrom Police Department and Private Investigator Cory Seale.
Harrison County investigators, Harrison Fire Rescue, Gulf Coast Search and Rescue, and Long Beach crime scene investigators eventually found Smith’s body covered with debris in a wooded area off Elmer Ladner Road in Pass Christian in April 2023.
According to charging documents, the defendants robbed Smith at gunpoint, stealing his 2005 Hyundai Elantra before killing him and disposing of his remains.
Assistant District Attorney Chris Daniels prosecuted the case against Pierce.
Prior to sentencing, Pierce apologized to Smith’s family and friends for what she had done.
“Nobody should lose and bury their son,” she said. “Cody was always there for me, and I betrayed his trust. I am haunted by Cody’s murder. It should have never happened.”
Cody Smith’s mother, Cherie Smith, also weighed in.
“Cody had an impact on more lives than I even realized, and some of them are here today,” Smith said. “Cody was able to meet his niece when she was little, but she’ll never know him. I always wondered what he would look like as he grew older. We looked forward to meeting the girl that he felt was special enough to marry, and we couldn’t wait to hold and play with their baby, the grandbaby we’ll never have. Lexy took all that away from us. Nothing will make this better.”
Smith told Parkman that it was “torturous” not to know where her son’s body was for 10 months after his killing. Parkman finally told authorities where they could find the victim.
Harrison County District Attorney Crosby Parker commended Harrison County sheriff’s deputies for their work.
“Had it not been for their sense of urgency and skilled investigation, this could have easily become a cold case,” Parker said in a release. “Cody was a young man who had so much life in front of him, and his killing was senseless. There are still other defendants being prosecuted for their roles, but the 30 years on top of a life sentence handed down by the court will hopefully assist the family in the healing process.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
