Defendant Convicted of Trying to Murder His Ex-Girlfriend

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions against a man who tried to kill his ex-girlfriend.  Jevess Deron Craigmire, 28, was convicted of Attempted First Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, Carjacking, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Violent Felon, and Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.  Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on September 19 where Craigmire faces a minimum of thirty-one years in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Jeannine Guzolek and Sean Roberts explained to the jury that on April 20, 2024, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a shooting on Dandridge Avenue.  KPD Detective Zackery Herman learned that Craigmire had recently moved out after his relationship with the victim ended.  When the victim came home that morning, she found Craigmire waiting for her.  Craigmire pulled out a handgun and fired sixteen rounds at the victim, striking her several times.  He then pistol-whipped the victim as she attempted to crawl under a vehicle in the parking lot.  Craigmire pulled the victim out from under the vehicle and continued to beat her with the pistol before he stole her car and fled the scene.

“This Office will continue to aggressively prosecute gun crimes and hold violent offenders accountable,” said DA Allen.

Craigmire has two prior felony convictions for Aggravated Assault.  Because of those prior convictions, he is facing twenty-five to forty years on the Attempted First Degree Murder count.  One of the firearms convictions also carries a mandatory six-year sentence that must run consecutive to the attempted murder sentence.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kim Strike and Legal Secretary Connie Watts aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.