MISSISSIPPI MAN RECEIVED TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR A DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN TWO DAYS AFTER HIS TRUCK BROKE DOWN ON A VICTIM’S PROPERTY

A Mississippi man will spend the rest of his life in prison after he killed two men within two days.

Mississippi Circuit Court Judge Dewey Arthur handed 35-year-old Matthew Brian Kidd two life sentences without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of 36-year-old William Earl Morris and 31-year-old Christian Storey. Kidd pleaded guilty during his arraignment to capital murder and murder.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and loved ones of William “Billy” Morris and Christian Storey.  We are grateful for their cooperation, as well as the hard work of our law enforcement agencies, in bringing about today’s judgment and sentence on this defendant.  The Defendant will serve the remainder of his life in prison, with no eligibility for parole,” stated District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, according to the State of Mississippi.

On Aug. 27, 2025, deputies from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office responded to Morris’ home along the 3300 Block of Highway 80 after receiving calls about a deceased male. Upon arrival, they found the victim’s body with several gunshot wounds, and the front door to the residence was kicked in.

According to investigators, the defendant’s vehicle had broken down on Morris’ property prior to the day of the fatal incident. When Kidd returned to retrieve the vehicle, an altercation occurred due to claims of missing items, reported WAPT. As a result, Morris gave Kidd 24 hours to move the truck. Witnesses told authorities that the defendant made several threats against the victim, and Kidd’s ex-girlfriend informed investigators that the defendant had a 9mm Glock pistol. At the scene of the crime, officers found 9mm shell casings.

Two days later, the Brandon Police Department responded to Storey’s home on Gayden Street, where they found his body with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators identified Kidd as the perpetrator after they retrieved a doorbell camera that showed the defendant walking to the residence at the time of the shooting.

The defendant was later arrested at a hotel in Brandon and confessed to both shootings.

The motive for Storey’s killing remains unclear.