State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Jayson David Pressley, 39, of Lexington Park, Maryland, was sentenced to LIFE in prison plus an additional five years for first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence for a domestically related fatal shooting.

 

On January 3, 2025, a Maryland State Police Trooper responded to a residence in Lexington Park, Maryland after receiving a 911 call reporting a shooting. Upon arrival, the Trooper found the victim in her vehicle with gunshot wounds to her head and upper body. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

 

A short time later, Pressley drove to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center and confessed to the murder. Investigators recovered the loaded handgun used in the fatal shooting from Pressley’s vehicle.

 

“This was a selfish act of domestic violence, where the Defendant chose to execute a young mother, thoughtlessly ending her life, and robbing her children of a loving life with their mother. Because of his heartless actions, two young children will grow up motherless,” said State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling. “The Defendant’s callous choices have left family and friends devasted, mourning the loss of a loving mother, a wonderful daughter, and a caring friend. Although this sentence cannot bring back the victim, we hope that the LIFE sentence delivers justice for her loved ones and provides them some solace in knowing the Defendant will be held accountable.”

 

Sergeant John Wildman of the Maryland State Police Homicide Division was the lead investigator.

 

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Pettersen, Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Alena Mosier prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.

The Honorable Amy Lorenzini presided over the case.