Search History Undermines Murder Defense

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained a conviction against a man who shot the mother of his child. Jacquiz Ikail McBee, 25, was convicted of First Degree Murder. Judge Kyle Hixson set the case for sentencing on January 26, 2021, where McBee faces life in prison.

At trial, Assistant District Attorneys Kevin Allen and Joanie Stewart explained to the jury that on April 16, 2018, Knox County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Keith McFarland and other officers responded to a shooting call at 2639 Bakertown Road. At the scene, McBee claimed that the victim, who is the mother of McBee’s child, pulled a handgun on him and shot herself during a struggle over the gun. However, further investigation revealed that McBee had made several incriminating Google searches including searches about killing someone while on probation. While in custody, officers intercepted a letter McBee sent asking someone to log into his Gmail account and alter or delete these searches to make it seem like McBee was looking at the television show”How to Get Away with Murder.” With the help of this evidence, the jury discredited McBee’s account and convicted him of murder.

First Degree Murder carries a sentence of life in prison, meaning McBee must serve fifty-one years in prison before he is eligible to meet with the parole board. McBee had previously been found guilty of committing an Aggravated Assault after shooting at this same victim’s vehicle.

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.