Jury finds man guilty of murder, several other charges
On November 4, 2025, after a two-day jury trial in the Circuit Court of Haywood County, Jermis Jones was found Guilty of all charges on the indictment: First Degree Murder, Attempted Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Tampering with Evidence, and Retaliation for Past Action. For First Degree Murder, he must serve a Life Sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. For the other Counts, he faces a sentence of up to an additional 58 years.
On December 18, 2022, as the victim, Perish Tyus, was dropping off her four-year old son she shared with the defendant, at the paternal grandmother’s residence, Jones laid in wait, approached her vehicle, and shot the victim four times, immediately killing her. The victim’s cousin, Marques Owens, was seated in the passenger seat, where a separate bullet hole was discovered. The child was seated in the rear passenger area, where a bullet was found lodged in the door next to his car seat. The defendant, who has been convicted of three separate drug felonies, fled the area, disposed of his gun, and hid in a carport storage closet, where he was apprehended by law enforcement. Upon his arrest, he made threats to the responding officers.
“We want to thank the Haywood County Jurors, which consisted of 10 women and 2 men, for their public service. This case was a senseless act of domestic violence that resulted in the murder of Perish Tyus, a mother of four. We will continue to remain focused on removing violent offenders like this Defendant from Crockett, Gibson, and Haywood Counties. Our Office thanks Chief Kelvin Evans, Lt. Joey Parker, and the Brownsville Police Department for their diligent investigation of this case.”
–District Attorney General Frederick H. Agee
This case was prosecuted by District Attorney General Frederick H. Agee and Assistant District Attorney Nina Seiler.
We extend a special thanks to DA Investigator Jimmy Wilson, DA Victim Witness Coordinator Carol Oliver, Brownsville P-D Sgt. Frank Amato, Haywood County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Lt. Lance Chandler, and the Haywood County Correctional Team.
The defendant will be sentenced by the Honorable Clayburn Peeples on March 2, 2026.
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