Second suspect enters plea in Claiborne Co. Massengill murder case

CLAIBORNE CO., Tenn. (WVLT) - The second of three suspects accused in a Claiborne County murder case entered a plea Monday.

Patrick Smith pleaded guilty to second degree murder, a Class A felony and was sentenced to 45 years, officials said.

Courtney Gilpin, of New Tazewell, pleaded guilty in court on Aug. 5 to killing Aaron Massengill, whose body was found in Tazewell in February of 2021, District Attorney Jared Effler told WVLT News. Gilpin was sentenced to 50 years behind bars.

Another suspect, Jimmy Lee Riffe of North Carolina, are scheduled to be seen in court in the coming days, according to Effler.

Massengill was initially reported missing on February 16, 2021, prompting groups of concerned community and family members to search in wooded areas around the county. Just days later, a resident found Massengill’s body along Ferguson Ridge Road in Tazewell, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed.

An autopsy revealed that the Claiborne County man was shot before he died, officials said.

Riffe faces first degree felony murder, aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery charges.

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