Bio

Larry Matthew Puckett was born on January 3, 1977. He grew up in Mississippi, in Forrest County. As a young man, Puckett held several jobs, including one as a landscaper. This job was notable because he worked for the family of his future victim, Rhonda Hatten Griffis. He lived in an environment where he had access to family and community. 

On October 14, 1995, Puckett was involved in a crime that led to his arrest two days later. He was ultimately convicted and sentenced for his actions. 

Murder Story

On October 14, 1995, Larry Matthew Puckett murdered Rhonda Hatten Griffis in Forrest County, Mississippi. Rhonda, a 28-year-old mother of two, was found dead in her home after a brutal assault. She had sustained significant injuries, including multiple gashes on her head, chest, and back, which were inflicted with a club.

After the crime, Puckett attempted to blame the victim's husband, David Griffis, when he confronted him in the trailer shortly after the murder. A struggle ensued between Puckett and David, after which Puckett fled the scene. Law enforcement and paramedics arrived shortly after David called 911, revealing the gruesome scene.

Puckett's truck was later discovered abandoned in woods nearby. Two days after the murder, he was arrested near his mother's home. Following his arrest, he made comments that suggested he did not see the situation as serious, saying, "This is a lot of law enforcement for somebody who just committed a burglary."

In 1996, Puckett was tried and convicted of capital murder, and he was sentenced to death. After many years of appeals, he maintained his innocence until his execution. On March 20, 2012, he was executed by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. He was pronounced dead at 6:18 PM. Rhonda's parents witnessed the execution, marking the end of a long struggle for them as they dealt with the loss of their only child.