Defendant Convicted of Premeditated First-Degree Murder
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 4]-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 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.
