Jacob Carney: Tennessee man pleads guilty to first-degree murder for stabbing his grandmother 114 times after attempting to kill her fiance

Jacob Lee Carney, who was 17 at the time, attacked his grandmother Mary Carney's fiance James Wilyard by sneaking around in her kitchen wearing a mask
UPDATED MAR 7, 2024
Prosecutors claimed that Jacob Lee Carney killed his grandmother Mary Carney by fatally stabbing her (Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)
Prosecutors claimed that Jacob Lee Carney killed his grandmother Mary Carney by fatally stabbing her (Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

Trigger Warning: This article contains recollection of crime that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.

CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE: A young man has reportedly entered a guilty plea to fatally stabbing his grandmother, who was discovered with 114 stab and incision wounds when he was 17.

According to the authorities, on a night in May 2020, then-17-year-old Jacob Lee Carney attacked his grandmother Mary Carney's fiance, James Wilyard, by sneaking around in her kitchen wearing a mask.

Jacob Carney stabbed his grandmother over 100 times

Jacob Carney, who is 21 now, reportedly stabbed his grandmother 114 times when she intervened. The reason for his actions wasn't made clear. Deputy District Attorney Michael Pugh said, "He never did say why he did it," Law&Crime reported.

Carney was 17 when he committed the crime. Mary, who was his maternal grandmother, was in the process of adopting him. 

Pugh stated that Wilyard, who was recovering from heart surgery, was watching TV in the living room when he heard activity in the kitchen.

The authorities said that all the lights in the house were turned off. Usually, Wilyard heard music coming from Jacob's room, but it was quiet at the time. He went to check in on Mary and Jacob, thinking they were asleep in their rooms.

When the lights were finally turned on, he discovered Jacob was dressed entirely in a black outfit, including gloves and a mask. According to Pugh, Wilyard said the teen was holding the largest knife in the kitchen.

After a struggle for the knife, Jacob finally stabbed him in the back. When Mary awoke and hurried over, she slipped on blood and fell. Prosecutors said that she took hold of Jacob's wrist and instructed Wilyard to contact 911.

Wilyard dialed 911 while barricading himself in his bedroom. Jacob pounded on the door, trying to ram his way through. Authorities discovered Wilyard with stab wounds to his head, neck, arms, legs, and back and Mary dead. There was blood all over Jacob's bedroom floor.

Jacob Carney pleads guilty to first-degree murder

According to reports, Jacob Carney entered a guilty plea in exchange for concurrent life sentences for the murder and 15 years for the attempted murder, with the possibility of release.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby said that the conditions during Tyler Robinson's arrest were relaxed and comfortable
Sep 18, 2025
DeCarlos Brown Jr, who is accused of fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska, confessed the reason for the attack in a phone call from jail to his sister
Sep 11, 2025
The former Centerville Mayor is facing three class A felony murder charges, each carrying a minimum sentence of death or life imprisonment
Jun 1, 2024
In a recent interview, Oregon murder suspect Jesse Lee Calhoun's ex-girlfriend, Krista Sinor, recalled his fits of rage
May 19, 2024
Michael Francis described John-Paul Miller as someone who tried to buy love and expected something in return for his favors
May 19, 2024
Ryan Babcock has been indicted on charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, and vandalism
May 19, 2024
A student at Kennesaw State University in Georgia was fatally shot by an armed intruder on May 18
May 19, 2024
Jaylin Brazier admitted he panicked and disposed of Zion Foster's body in a dumpster after she died suddenly while they were smoking marijuana
May 19, 2024
Devin Montgomery drew a firearm and discharged it several times at officers who were trying to engage him on May 16 at an apartment complex
May 19, 2024