Vancleave man to spend life in prison in 2021 shooting death

A Vancleave man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of killing a man over missing property.

39-year-old Thomas Pearson II was convicted of first-degree murder on Thursday evening in the April 21, 2021 shooting death  of Jeffery Summerlin Jr. Judge Keith Miller sentenced Pearson to life.

The case began with an argument between Pearson and Summerlin over some missing property. Witnesses said the argument came to a head after Pearson, who had been drinking, became agitated and displayed two handguns he carried.

Just before shooting Summerlin in the face, Pearson was heard to say he ‘had enough of this,’ followed by the victim saying ‘don’t do it, Thomas.’

Summerlin was pronounced dead at the scene . At trial, Pearson maintained that Summerlin was coming at him and that he shot out of fear of serious bodily injury.

“This was a senseless act of violence committed by the defendant. Jeffery Summerlin Jr. lost his life for no other reason than the defendant being drunk, angry and
eager to use a gun to settle a verbal dispute,” said District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath. “From the crime scene to the courtroom, I am proud of the hard work and effort put forth to ensure that justice was served. Our citizens serving on the jury saw through the Defendant’s lies and attempts to avoid accountability. Our community is safer as a result.”