Mississippi
Suspect in woman's 2023 murder in Houston escapes courthouse in Mississippi, authorities say
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man charged with murdering a woman in Houston in 2023 walked out of the doors of a courthouse in Mississippi on Friday and is now on the run, according to authorities.
Joshua Zimmerman, 30, is accused of killing 23-year-old Keyanna Mercer at the Red Carpet Inn at 6868 Hornwood on Sept. 2, 2023.
He was captured on Sept. 29, 2023, by officers with the Southaven Police Department in Mississippi on separate felony charges, including attempted murder, armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and a charge in relation to the theft of a car.
Houston police said he would eventually be extradited back to Harris County.
On Friday, De Soto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said Zimmerman was being brought to the courthouse for a hearing with several other inmates.
As Zimmerman and the other inmates walked up the stairs toward the courtroom in jail uniforms and ankle and wrist shackles, Zimmerman was able to leave the single-file line without anyone noticing. Barton said Zimmerman went through an unlocked door into another hallway, where he completely changed clothes and removed his shackles.
Surveillance video captured portions of Zimmerman’s escape. He is seen leaving the courthouse in khaki pants, a white shirt, and a khaki headpiece.
Barton said he was not given an explanation for how this could have happened. He said Zimmerman is a career criminal who needs to be caught immediately.
U.S. Marshals are involved in the search for Zimmerman, who has ties in Memphis and Connecticut.
In the Houston case, people in neighboring rooms and employees of the motel reported to police that there had been violent fights happening between Zimmerman and Mercer prior to her death. Mercer was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in the doorway of the room. Charging documents note that Zimmerman’s possessions had been left behind, but he was gone.
Charging documents specifically said that Mercer’s whereabouts were being tracked by law enforcement out of Connecticut because she was believed to be traveling with a known fugitive who was using multiple fake identities.
Zimmerman had been convicted in Connecticut in 2018 of criminal possession of a firearm.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for his capture. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-336-0102.
For more on this story, follow Mycah Hatfield on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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No snow in a Mississippi Christmas
Published 11:11 am Monday, December 22, 2025
From the looks of the weather forecast, it appears I am going to be disappointed again this year: no White Christmas, no one-horse open sleigh ride, and no chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Our songs and traditions this time of year sure paint a pretty picture! Unfortunately, almost every Christmas season I’ve ever experienced in Mississippi has found me wearing shorts on Christmas Day. I think the forecast calls for a high of 74 degrees on Christmas Eve, 73 on Christmas Day, and 75 the day after.
Even though the weather disappoints me, I love my Christmas traditions. As silly as it sounds for a grown man, I love Christmas socks and wear them throughout the year. I grew up with a mom who made fresh eggnog. I haven’t had any homemade in years, but I purchase some every season.
In true Clark Griswold fashion, no Christmas would be complete without proper outdoor Christmas illumination. To make it even funnier, you can’t see my lights unless you come up our very rural driveway. Yes, the lights are just for me.
Speaking of Clark and company, my sweet indulgent wife always watches Christmas Vacation at least once each season with me. And then there are my other favorite Christmas shows and movies: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, the Grinch, and Home Alone. (Also, I vote that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.)
And because my wife indulges me, I’ve been known to indulge her by sleeping through, er, I mean watching a Hallmark Christmas movie or two. She’s just blessed like that. What a guy I am!
But moving on from praising myself, when my oldest son got married, his wife brought us a new Christmas tradition: the Christmas Pickle ornament. You hide it on the tree, and whoever finds it gets to open the first present. I’m not sure that one has much of a future. Nevertheless, I unabashedly love Christmas.
Here’s my Christmas rule: “If you quit believing in Santa Claus, you get clothes for Christmas.” Not this guy. I’m all in it for the toys. (You may be familiar with the adage that the only difference between a man and a boy is the price of his toys—I resemble that remark.)
And in case you are wondering what to get me, my sizes are .45, 9mm, .233, .22, .380, and 12 gauge. Smile! It’s all in good fun.
In the immortal words of Clark Griswold, “Where do you think you’re going? Nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together.”
And we are. May your blessings be great, and your opportunities and abilities to bless others be even greater.
Merry Christmas!
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!”
A unique style of dining, featuring a giant lazy Susan and tables seating upwards of 15 people, invites people to step out of their comfort zones to share a meal with strangers. (AP Video: Sophie Bates)
A unique style of dining, featuring a giant lazy Susan and tables seating upwards of 15 people, invites people to step out of their comfort zones to share a meal with strangers. (AP Video: Sophie Bates)
Mississippi
MCBB: Epps, Hubbard help Mississippi State survive frenetic finish in 71-66 win over Memphis – SuperTalk Mississippi
Jayden Epps scored 19 points and Josh Hubbard scored 17 points and Mississippi State fought off Memphis for a 71-66 win on Saturday.
The Bulldogs overcame 29% shooting (6 of 21) from 3-point range and shooting 55% (18 of 33) from inside the arc. Overall Mississippi State (7-5) finished at 44% (24 of 54).
Reserve Curtis Givens III scored 18 points, fellow reserve Aaron Bradshaw scored 12 and Ashton Hardaway 11 for Memphis (4-7).
A three-point play by Givens with 8:12 left gave the Tigers their first lead of the second half, 53-50. Hubbard’s basket gave the Bulldogs the lead back, and his two foul shots with 3:03 remaining made it 61-58 and they led the remainder.
After Givens made a 3 to get Memphis within 69-66 with 23 seconds to go, following a Mississippi State timeout, Dug McDaniel stole Shawn Jones Jr.’s inbounds pass and saved the ball before landing out of bounds. Memphis secured the ball, but in the frantic activity, the Tigers gave it back to Mississippi State when Julius Thedford threw it out of bounds in a miscommunication with a teammate.
After being fouled with 15 seconds left, Hubbard sank two foul shots to seal it.
The Bulldogs now have won three straight and four of their last five.
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