PRESS RELEASE
March 2, 2026
(Okaloosa County, Florida), on February 26, 2026, Jerrish Stephens was found guilty of Second Degree Murder by an Okaloosa County jury. The jury made an additional finding that Jerrish Stephens qualified as a prison releasee reoffender and Jerrish Stephens was immediately sentenced to life in prison. The Honorable Judge Lacey Clark presided over the trial.
The charges stem from an incident on December 15, 2021, where deputies responded to a stabbing at 205 Mountain Drive. Upon arrival they discovered Gregory Lacey lying in a parking lot with multiple stab wounds.
The investigation was handled by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Robert Little prosecuted the case on behalf of Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. For further information, please contact Mr. Little at (850) 595-4783.
