Defendant Sentenced for Premeditated First-Degree Murder
On October 21, 2024, in Henderson County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judge Donald
Allen, Gabriel Seth Box was sentenced to Life in Prison plus (six) 6 years. Box was previously convicted
of First-Degree Murder, Theft of a Firearm, and two (2) counts of Tampering with Evidence. At the
sentencing hearing, the Court received emotional testimony from Ricky and April Inman, the parents of
the victim Felicity Inman, who was only twenty (20) years of age and the mother to a then | 4 month old
baby girl at the time of her murder. The parents testified that Felicity had found her purpose in life when
she became a mother and that everything she did, from planning to obtain a social work degree and
getting back to work as soon as possible, revolved around her duty as a mother to provide for her baby.
Further, the parents gave testimony about the void in their lives since the loss of their only daughter,
explaining to the Court that their lives will never be the same.”
“In the midst of murder trials the fact sometimes gets lost that a human being with hopes, dreams,
and family that loved them had their life ended in a selfish, violent manner,” stated District Attorney
General Jody Pickens. “Yesterday through the words of her parents, the world was introduced to Felicity,
a person who at times throughout the trial was known only as the ‘victim’. Felicity loved her family and
her family loved her. Thankfully, through the hard work of law enforcement and a Henderson County
jury, the man who took her life in such a cowardly fashion will most likely never breathe air as a free man
again.”
“Ironically, the sentencing for this domestic violence murder took place during October, which is
Domestic Violence Awareness month and on the day of the grand opening of the Henderson County
Family Justice Center, which will be a resource for people who find themselves dealing with domestic
violence. This case stands as an example of why such places are needed,”
PRIOR RELEASE
On August 30, 2024, after four days of trial and less than an hour of deliberation, a Henderson
County, Tennessee, jury convicted Gabriel Seth Box of the November 19, 2021 Premeditated First Degree
Murder of Felicity Nicole Inman, two (2) counts of Tampering with Evidence, and Theft of a Firearm.
The proof presented at trial indicated that Box stole a 9 mm 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 two (2) hours drove around remote areas of Henderson and Decatur counties
with a shot-out window in 41-degree 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 a 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 two (2) feet, which, given the length of her arms, was almost impossible.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled set for October 21, 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 Hudgins
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.
