Gibson County, Tenn.–On March 4, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Gibson County, Tyler Pierce pled guilty to Second Degree Murder and was sentenced to serve 25 years at 100% in the Tennessee Department of Correction.
Pierce also pled guilty to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and was sentenced to 8 years of strict supervision by State Probation and Parole, after he has served his 25 years. Pierce must also complete Moral Reconation Therapy, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, and Vocational training in TDOC, and must complete mandatory drug screening and maintain full-time employment upon his release. Pierce must also testify truthfully if called as a witness in his co-defendants’ cases. This sentence will run Consecutively to a 6-year sentence he received in a separate Gibson County Case, for a total effective sentence of 31 years incarceration, with an additional 8 years of post-release supervision.
On November 30, 2022, Tyler Pierce, along with Co-Defendants, Johnny Yarbrough and Amanda Cathey, drove to Joseph Simpson’s residence, where Simpson and two others resided. All three planned to rob Simpson and another resident. During the robbery, Simpson was shot with a handgun brought by the defendants and died from his injuries. The three defendants fled and were later apprehended by law enforcement with the weapon and stolen items from the residence.
Yarbrough and Cathey are awaiting trial on their charges.
“This is a senseless murder committed during the perpetration of a violent robbery. Pierce violated the sanctity of Mr. Simpson’s home and took his life. We are grateful to the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department for their diligent investigation of this case.”
– Frederick H. Agee, District Attorney General
This case was prosecuted by District Attorney Frederick H. Agee and A.D.A Nina Seiler.