On August 30th, 2024, after 4 days of trial in less than an hour of deliberation, a Henderson County, Tennessee, jury convicted Gabriel Seth Box of the November 19th, 2021 premeditated first-degree murder of Felicity Nicole Inman, two counts of tampering with evidence, and theft of a firearm.

The proof presented at trial indicated that Box stole a 9mm handgun from his stepfather and then used that same gun to shoot the victim in the back of the head while she was seated in her parked car at Dogwood Lake in Henderson County Tennessee. The parties’ infant daughter was in the car at the time Box shot Ms. Inman. The evidence established that the defendant shoved the victim’s lifeless body under the dash on the passenger side of the vehicle, covered her in blankets, disposed of the still missing handgun, created a false alibi, and for 2 hours drove around remote areas of Henderson and Decatur counties with a shot out window in 41° weather with an infant in the backseat before arriving at his home where his father called 911. Moreover, there was no evidence that the defendant ever attempted to render aid to the victim or contact 911 for assistance.

The defendant claimed that the victim shot herself. Expert medical proof from a forensic pathologist established that the location of the wound in the back of the victim’s head was atypical for suicide and that due to the lack of powder burns and soot at the entry wound, the victim was shot from a distance of at least 2 ft, which, given the length of her arms, was almost impossible.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 21st, 2024, before Judge Donald Allen. The conviction for premeditated first-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison.
“Law enforcement officers from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the sheriff’s departments from both Decatur and Henderson counties, as well as the Tennessee Highway Patrol did an outstanding job investigating this case,” said District Attorney General Jody Pickens. “While many contributed to putting together a case that led to a successful prosecution, the work of agents Brent Booth and Joe Hudgens of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Lieutenant Adam Potts of the Tennessee Highway Patrol was particularly noteworthy. Without their careful investigative work, a positive outcome would not have been possible. It is my hope that the family of Felicity Inman can find some peace moving forward.”

The prosecution was led by District Attorney General Jody Pickens with assistance from Deputy District Attorney General Shaun Brown and Assistant District Attorney General Matthew Floyd.