Mississippi man sentenced to life in prison after jury finds him guilty in 2023 hit-and-run murder

A Mississippi man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in a hit-and-run case from 2023.

David Breland, a former candidate for Forrest County circuit clerk, was found guilty by a Forest County jury of murdering Tyra Canady, 30, in April 2023.

Officials say Breland was driving a vehicle when he hit Canady near South 17th Avenue and Camp Street.

Canady was reportedly hit around 10 p.m. on April 28, 2023, but wasn’t found until 6 a.m. the next morning. Still alive, Canady was rushed to the hospital but later died.

During the trial, prosecutors showed evidence from the scene and from the vehicle that was reportedly used in the hit-and-run accident that connected Breland to the incident. The defense argued that Breland was not driving the vehicle that was involved in the wreck.

The jury took approximately an hour to decide the guilty verdict.

Breland could appeal Tuesday’s decision. He was transported to the Forrest County Jail.