HAYWOOD COUNTY, TN— On June 29, 2026, Jermis Jones (44) was sentenced in Haywood County Circuit Court by the Honorable Clayburn Peeples to an additional 34 years consecutive to his mandatory life sentence for murdering with premeditation Perish Tyus.
Under Tennessee Law, when a defendant is convicted of first degree murder an automatic life sentence is imposed and any additional convictions are resolved at a sentencing hearing.
“Our office requested the maximum sentence, and we appreciate Judge Peeples sending a strong message that violent offenders will be held accountable and removed from our community for as long as possible. Unless Mr. Jones gets some relief at the Court of the Appeals, he will never walk as a free man again and the community is safer for that.” – Frederick H. Agee, District Attorney General
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.
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.
“Our hearts again go out to Ms. Tyus’s family this was a senseless, violent, act by an ex-domestic partner. Over the last 5 years, my administration has focused on removing violent offenders like Jermis Jones from Crockett, Gibson, and Haywood Counties. We have seen a reduction in our violent crime rate because our office is prioritizing prosecuting violent criminals and through the diligent work of our law enforcement agencies.” – Frederick H. Agee, District Attorney General
(PHOTO: Jermis Jones, left; Perish Tyus)
