Five Tipton County Men Convicted After Jury Trial, Guilty Pleas, For 2017 Home Invasion Murder in Covington

Memphis, TN – A federal jury has convicted three Tipton County men for their roles in a 2017 home invasion murder in Covington, TN, and two others have pled guilty for their roles in the attempted robbery resulting in death. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the convictions today.

According to information presented in court, on January 19, 2017, Willie Somerville, 21, Armoni Hall, 21, Eddie Poindexter, 21, Christian Sherrill, 24, and Darrell Owens, 32, participated in the robbery of Timothy Edwards at his home located at 1229 Douglas Street in Covington, Tennessee. They planned to rob him of drugs and drug proceeds. Somerville was armed with a 9 mm pistol and Hall with a twelve-gauge shotgun. Somerville, Hall, and Poindexter went to Edwards’ residence and kicked in the door, while Sherrill and Owens waited nearby in a getaway car. As Hall entered Edwards' residence, Edwards grabbed him and they struggled over the shotgun. Somerville opened fire with the pistol killing Edwards and seriously injuring Hall. Edwards' wife was in the back of the house and called 911. By the time police arrived a few minutes later, Edwards was already dead. Hall was found lying in the street a block away with gunshot injuries.

On December 19, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted the five men for robbery affecting interstate commerce; possession, use and discharge of firearms during a crime of violence; and use of a firearm to cause the death of Timothy Edwards. On March 5, 2019, after a week-long trial, the jury convicted Somerville of all counts, and Poindexter and Sherrill were convicted of the robbery and use of the firearm during the robbery. Hall previously pled guilty to all counts, and is scheduled to have a sentencing hearing on March 15, 2019. Owens previously pled guilty to the robbery and firearms offenses, and is scheduled to have a sentencing hearing on April 4, 2019.

Sentencing for Somerville, Poindexter, and Sherrill is scheduled for June 26, 2019, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman. All defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years and up to life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "The days of brazen violence, robbery crews, trigger-pullers, and lawlessness in Covington are quickly coming to an end. The violent nature of these offenders’ criminal acts underscores the serious threat that this group posed to the community as a whole. They had no regard for human life, and will now be removed from the Covington community for decades. This should send a clear message to those who continue to engage in senseless gun violence in our small towns and rural communities: We know who you are; You will be caught and held accountable; We will bring the full weight and measure of our federal resources to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pritchard and Elizabeth Rogers are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.