Man convicted in 2015 Lincoln Courts shooting sentenced to life in prison

JACKSON, Tenn. — A Madison County judge sentenced a convicted killer to life in prison Monday.

Christopher Lyles

“There’s really no options,” Circuit Court Judge Don Allen said. “The court has to sentence him to life imprisonment.”

Christopher Orlando Lyles will spend the next 60 years behind bars for murder. Allen sentenced the 21-year-old to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

“He deserves what he get,” Saint Murphy Jr., the victim’s father, said.

Lyles shot and killed Beau Reid in July 2015 at Lincoln Courts apartments. A jury convicted him in October on eight counts, including first-degree felony murder, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and especially aggravated kidnapping.

Reid’s father said he is satisfied with the sentence. “Life is what we wanted, so I feel a lot better about that,” Murphy said.

Lyles’ attorney said they plan to appeal the conviction.

The court said Lyles must serve 85 percent of his life sentence. The 21-year-old will be in his 70s when he is eligible for parole.

Reid’s father said this is justice for his child. “A lot goes through my mind, you know. I always think about my son,” Murphy said.

Lyles will be transferred to the Tennessee Department of Correction. He must pay court costs, submit DNA for testing, and cannot contact the victim’s family.

Lyles’ co-defendant in this case, Phillip Williams, is scheduled to return to court at 1:30 p.m Dec. 20.