Southaven man pleads guilty for 2021 murder, attempted murder

Keith Wayne Tucker (Southaven Police Dept. file photo)

District Attorney Matthew Barton Wednesday announced that the suspect in the September 2021 death of Charles Larry Tucker has pleaded guilty.

A news release from Barton’s office stated that Keith Wayne Tucker, age 46 of Southaven pleaded guilty to the murder of Charles Larry Tucker, his father, age 86. He was also sentenced to two counts of attempted murder.

Tucker was accused of killing his father in an alcohol-induced rage on Sept. 5, 2021 by stabbing him in the abdomen and neck. Tucker’s live-in girlfriend and her daughter were next wounded but both survived as Keith Tucker attacked them.

The incident took place about 7:45 a.m. at a residence in the 8300 block of Cedarcrest Drive in Southaven. Keith Tucker was arrested two days later and was being held in the DeSoto County Adult Detention Center on $3 million bond.

“While nothing we do can remedy the harm that he caused, I hope this result will provide the family the strength needed to press forward,” Barton said. “There is no place in our society for this kind of evil. I am grateful, through the tireless work of my team and the dedication of the Southaven Police Department, that this violent criminal is locked away, with no chance for appeal.”

Tucker is facing 45 years in prison on the charges.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Trena Williams with investigative assistance from the District Attorney’s Office and Southaven Police Department.