Jackson man who beat girlfriend to death with broom found guilty

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A man, Billy Ray Gibson, has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his 28-year-old girlfriend, Darcie Rich.

Jackson police were called to the scene on the 6000 block of Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive on December 24, 2019.

When JPD arrived, they found Rich unresponsive.

During a fight on Christmas Eve, Gibson brutally beat Rich with a broomstick, sending him into a “coma,” authorities said.

She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries and died.

Investigators later determined that video surveillance did not match Gibson's account of what happened, and he was arrested and later charged with Rich's murder.

According to the Hinds County District Attorney's Office, Special Judge James Bell sentenced Gibson to 40 years in prison and 20 years probation in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

District Attorney Jody Owens stated, “Ms. Rich’s extraordinary 10-year-old son was the star witness today in the sentencing of his mother’s murderer.”

He continued, “I am so proud of the brave prosecutors and investigators who have not given up on this case of senseless and tragic domestic violence.” This coward will now spend decades in prison and the Rich family can begin the healing process. Our office will never stop fighting for the victims and their families of violent crimes.”

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