Where are Ashley Morrison and Christian Sims now? Details about Netflix I Am a Killer subjects explored
In December 2014, a shocking murder occurred in Powderly, Texas; Ashley Morrison and Christian Sims were involved in this case and were later found guilty of killing Christian's grandmother, Annie Lois Sims.
One episode from Netflix's fifth season of I Am a Killer, called "Lost Innocence," goes back to their story. A Netflix stream of the show came out in September 2023.
Ashley Morrison and Christian Sims were teenagers when they committed the crime. Morrison was 17, while Sims was 16 at the time. As of today, both remain in separate Texas prisons, serving long sentences. Their story continues to generate questions, including why they acted the way they did.
The aforementioned Netflix episode sheds light on their lives and what happened after the murder.
Ashley Morrison and Christian Sims’ background and crime
Ashley Morrison and Christian Sims met in school in Texas, where they both played the clarinet. Over time, they became close and started dating. Christian had a troubled childhood and was later raised by his grandparents, Mike and Annie Lois Sims.
However, Christian claimed that his grandmother s*xually abused him. In late 2014, the couple planned to confront Christian’s grandmother, leading to her tragic murder.
On December 18, 2014, Christian fatally shot his grandmother, Annie Lois Sims, after allegedly threatening Ashley to join his plan. They fled the scene in Annie's car, eventually getting caught at a motel in Oklahoma. Both were arrested and charged with murder despite Christian’s initial attempts to shield Morrison from blame.
Legal proceedings and convictions
In 2016, Christian Sims avoided a trial by admitting that he killed his grandmother. He was given a 35-year sentence. He's in jail at the O.L. Luther Unit in Navasota, Texas and won't be able to get out until June 2032.
Ashley chose to go on a trial in 2017 and came out guilty of murder. She did, however, effectively challenge her conviction, and following a second trial in 2020 she was sentenced thirty years. Serving at the William P. Hobby Unit in Marlin, Texas, Ashley Morrison will be qualified for parole in December 2029. She insisted that Sims pushed her into taking part in the crime.
Ashley Morrison’s defense and appeal
During her first trial, Ashley claimed that she had no active role in the murder. According to her, Christian Sims had threatened her and her family, forcing her involvement.
Her defense argued that she acted out of fear. Despite her initial conviction, Morrison succeeded in getting a second trial in 2020, where she accepted a plea deal and received a 30-year sentence.
Morrison’s legal battles highlighted several twists in the case. Her defense team continuously argued that Sims was the sole mastermind behind the murder. However, the court upheld her involvement in the planning and escape.
Christian Sims’ plea deal and incarceration
While Ashley Morrison fought her conviction, Christian Sims accepted his guilt early. His claim was that he acted alone, shooting his grandmother in cold blood without coercing Morrison.
In 2016 he entered a plea agreement, saving himself a trial but still subjecting himself to a long prison term. Sims has stayed locked since then; his parole eligibility is not until 2032.
The impact of the murder on the Sims family
The Sims family suffered greatly from the murder of Annie Lois Sims. During the trial, Mike Sims, Annie’s husband, showed remarkable grace by offering forgiveness to Ashley Morrison.
His public statements were focused on redemption and hope that Morrison would turn her life around through faith. His words, though gracious, didn't erase the pain the crime caused the family. Other members of the Sims family, like Annie Laurie Geer, were much less forgiving, expressing anger towards Morrison for her role in the crime.
The conclusion of I Am a Killer’s episode
The episode of I Am a Killer leaves viewers questioning the full extent of Ashley Morrison’s involvement. Although both Morrison and Sims are serving long sentences, their interviews reveal conflicting perspectives.
Ashley Morrison insists that she acted under duress, while Sims claims she wasn't forced. These differences leave viewers contemplating who truly holds responsibility for the crime.
Where are they now?
Ashley Morrison is serving her thirty-year term in the William P. Hobby Unit in Texas as of 2024. Her parole eligibility is in 2029.
Currently housed at the O.L. Luther Unit in Navasota, Texas, Christian Sims will be qualified for parole in 2032. Although they have different stories, both are behind bars for their part in Annie Lois Sims's sad murder.
Ashley and Christian committed a crime that left a permanent scar on their families and communities. Their involvement in the murder of Christian’s grandmother, Annie Lois Sims, continues to captivate audiences as Netflix’s I Am a Killer revisits their story.
The case highlights deep complexities, from Sims' troubled past to Morrison’s claims of coercion. Both remain incarcerated, facing years in prison, with the possibility of parole years away. While their stories raise questions, one fact remains: the murder has left a lasting impact on everyone involved.
