What happened to James Pruitt? Details explored ahead of Snapped: Behind Bars on Oxygen

James Pruitt, a Columbia, Missouri, resident, was shot in cold blood on July 4, 2003. His deceased body was recovered a day after he was killed. A year after his death, three people were convicted of the murder.

This case continues to baffle the Boone County Sheriff's Department. The trial following James Pruitt’s death was a controversial one, and the sentencing of the killers/killers remains a matter of debate.

Snapped: Behind Bars, season 2 episode 4, will focus on this brutal homicide. Lucille Duncan, who was charged with first-degree murder for the death of James Pruitt (her ex-boyfriend), will also feature in this episode and tell her side of the story. The episode is titled Lucille Duncan and it will air on Oxygen at 7:00 pm EST. The synopsis of the episode reads as follows:

"After spending 20 years in prison for a crime in which she claims no involvement, Lucille Duncan breaks her silence for the first time. She details the harrowing events that led to the shooting of her ex-boyfriend and her hopes of freedom."

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James Pruitt was killed on July 4, 2003

Jimmy Pruitt was shot at the back of his head (Image by Maxim Hopman/Unsplash)

Reportedly, James Pruitt was shot in the back of his head on July 4, 2003. His body was recovered on July 5, 2003, near Gleason Road, Southern Boone County. The investigators presumed that James, who was sitting in the front seat of the car, was shot by Gerald Duncan (Lucille Duncan’s brother).

Allegedly, Lucille Duncan was driving the vehicle inside which the crime was committed. Jeremiah, Lucile’s 14-year-old son, was also present in the backseat of the car.

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A timeline of events before the murder of James Pruitt

Reportedly, Lucille Duncan and James Pruitt met in 2002, and their relationship ended in May 2003, after which Lucile called her brother Gerald Duncan to pick her up and take her home. Following their breakup, Lucile reported physical assault against James, but his close friends and family said the complaint was false. James was to face the charges against him in court, but he was killed before he could appear.

Allegedly, Lucille had come to James Pruitt's home before the homicide, after which James, Lucille, Gerald, and Lucille's 14-year-old son, Jeremiah, went out and had a nice time together by the river. On their way back, Gerald allegedly shot James, and later dumped his body in a nearby forest.

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Convictions and arrests

Gerald Duncan was sentenced to life in prison in 2004 with chances of parole after 25 years after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action. His sister Lucile Duncan was charged with first-degree murder in 2004, however, she has not pleaded guilty to date.

Jeremiah, who was 14 years old at the time of the incident, also testified against Lucille and Gerald, revealing in court that it was premeditated murder and that she and Gerald had planned James's death all along. For his cooperation during the investigation, he ended up receiving only seven years of probation.

Subsequently, Jeremiah withdrew his confession and disclosed that it was coerced, as he was threatened with a 20-year prison sentence if he remained silent.

For the murder of James Jimmy Pruitt, Gerald and Lucille are still serving separate prison terms. Gerald pleaded guilty in 2004, but Lucille continues to maintain her innocence and expects that her conviction will be reversed even though all of her appeals have been denied thus far.

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Watch Snapped: Behind Bars, season 2 episode 4 on Oxygen to know more about this homicide.