Smith Convicted of Murder in Hancock County

Vershaun Smith was convicted by a Hancock County jury of malice murder around 5pm on August 12, 2026. The jury watched surveillance footage of Smith, an inmate at Hancock State Prison, chase down and stab another inmate, Corey July, to death. As July ran away, Smith calmly walked toward him and cornered him at a locked gate. He then stabbed July multiple times, killing him. Smith, who was already serving a sentence for voluntary manslaughter, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole by Judge Alison T. Burleson. Assistant District Attorney Eesha Kumar represented the State, with assistance from ADA Blayne May.