Greenwood, MS – James Leahman, a/k/a “Red”, was found guilty on August 8, 2025, by a jury in Leflore County Circuit Court convicting him in both counts of the indictment after less than an hour of deliberations, District Attorney Dewayne Richardson announced today.
On the day before Thanksgiving in 2019 at approximately 7:45 in the morning, officers of the Greenwood Police Department were dispatched to the Greenwood-Leflore Hospital in reference to a gunshot victim. Once at the hospital officers were advised that the shooting took place at the 600 block of Roosevelt Street near Reno’s Café. When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting, they were advised by witnesses that James Leahman a/k/a “Red” was responsible.
The victim, Mr. Donald Spells, succumbed to his injuries the same day, and according to trial testimony and a surveillance video retrieved by Greenwood Police a few days following the murder, Mr. Spells was unarmed and lured out of his car by James Leahman. As soon as Mr. Spells exited his vehicle he was shot three times, and Leahman fled the scene on foot. Evidence at trial also revealed that Leahman was a convicted felon, and the jury convicted him of First-Degree Murder along with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Sentencing for these convictions have been scheduled for the next term of court.
The District Attorney’s Office is grateful to the men and women who appeared and were willing to serve as jurors in this case. Our office hopes that the participation in Leflore County and the rest of our district will increase so that we can continue to move cases forward for all of our victims. This process is not possible without help from our community both as witnesses and as jurors.
The case against Leahman was tried by Assistant District Attorneys Patricia A. Hicks and Amanda Sturniolo-Langford, who expressed their appreciation to the Greenwood Police Department and the officers who were willing to travel back from new careers to testify at trial and ensure that justice was done.
Hicks stated, “This murder was senseless. Leahman’s conduct demonstrated a complete lack of value for human life. Although the victim’s family had to wait over five years, we are thankful that justice has now been served. Our office is committed to pursuing justice for the victims, and we will use the full resources available to hold violent offenders accountable for their actions.”