WREG.com

Suspect in Panola County caught, believed to be connected to Jackson homicide

PANOLA COUNTY, Miss. — Authorities in Panola County have a man in custody who they believe may be connected to a homicide in Jackson, Mississippi.

According to authorities, Marcell Martin, 42, was spotted early Tuesday morning. Senatobia police tried to pull him over but he refused to cooperate and led police on a chase heading southbound on Interstate 55.

The suspect wrecked just south of Sardis and jumped out of the vehicle. He was seen running into a wooded area between Sardis and Batesville. The Panola County sheriff told WREG’s Melissa Moon they eventually spotted him in a field off I-55  and he was taken into custody following a brief foot chase.

Multiple agencies were in the area searching for Martin.

Authorities said schools in South Panola were put on a soft lockdown, meaning schools followed a normal schedule, but the doors remained locked throughout the day until Martin was caught.

According to the Jackson Police Department, Martin is wanted for murdering his wife, 48-year-old Varga McCray, on Feb. 14. Authorities said the incident was domestic.