Jackson man convicted of beating his girlfriend to death with a broom

A Jackson man has been found guilty of beating his girlfriend to death with a broomstick nearly five years ago.

Back in December 2019, police responded to a home on Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive and found Darcie Rich unresponsive. According to Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, Billy Gibson beat Rich into a coma.

The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where he eventually succumbed to injuries sustained as a result of the violent abuse.

Investigators determined that Gibson's recollection of the incident was not supported by surveillance footage. He was handcuffed and charged with second-degree murder.

Gibson has since been sentenced to 40 years in prison, including 20 years of probation in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.