Megan Sharpton Murder Suspect Declares Himself Just That: Family And Alleged Accomplice Terrified Of Donnie Jones
The prime suspect in the brutal rape, mutilation and murder of nursing student “Megan” Sharpton is outing himself.
In a police report filed Friday evening September 7, 2012 with the Tullahoma Police Department, a man named Donnie Frank Jones identified HIMSELF as the suspect in the murder of Megan Sharpton. Jones acted out in an intimidating and threatening manner against a female associate to the Sharpton family as well as the local police.
The woman’s identity is being withheld by BOC.
Jones told police he wanted the woman arrested for theft.
Jones, who allegedly extinguished a cigarette butt collected by the woman shortly thereafter, told police he was fearful the butt might be used as evidence to frame him in Megan Sharpton’s murder.
It was clear at that point in the exchange that Donnie Jones approached this woman to send a message to the Sharpton family. He knows that they ‘know’ if you will.
A subsequent incident occurred at a member of the Sharpton family’s home on September 11th when a real estate sign posted in the front yard was peppered with bullets. A police report has been filed with Coffee County who then requested Megan’s family NOT file a protection from abuse order. Family members were told it is “just a piece of paper.”
Donnie Frank Jones, a convicted felon, has been told he is a suspect in the sexual assault and aggravated murder of Meg Sharpton. Megan or “Meg” as she preferred, was a nursing student who had been commuting daily with another student until she graduated last year.
As reported exclusively on Blink On Crime , Jones was identified as a suspect in Sharpton’s murder due to a match of his DNA in CODIS. CODIS is the combined DNA Index system that maintains criminal database DNA submissions and the software that supports it.
Jones had previously submitted a DNA sample related to an aggravated assault and burglary conviction. This resulted in parole violation in 2011.
Meg Sharpton was found partially nude and burning from the waist down. She had been beaten, raped, and set aflame hours later at the base of Awalt Road bridge. Additional details about Meg Sharpton’s autopsy report continue to be withheld for investigative reasons.
Detectives believe Megan was deceased when she was dumped at the pull-off before the bridge in the Tim’s Ford Lakes area on July 4th weekend. A passing motorist, who called from a nearby church, saw what they initially believed to have been a grass fire. Upon further inspection according to the witness, the responder believed he saw the body of a deceased person, probably a female.
Although police have stated the 911 caller did so anonymously, it has since been learned the call came from inside the Church. ( Editors Note: Since the publication of this article, a tip was received by BOC that the call came from the parking lot of the church.) BOC was able to confirm the time of the call at 1:18AM, and that tire tracks which remained at the scene following Megan’s discovery were molded by the TBI evidence processing unit.
The 911 call is the subject of a recent FOIA request by this editor.
On the night of the murder, Megan thought she was going on a job interview. Following a helpful tip from colleague – Naomi Jones LPN, Megan was offered an opportunity to interview for a position caring for an elderly woman.
She was to show up for this brief interview and then work her shift until about midnight. According to both family and her boyfriend due to the short notice of the interview, she was told she would receive a cash payment that very evening.
Naomi Jones is Meg Sharpton’s prior college commuter pal and the wife of Donnie Jones.
Naomi was also previously assigned as Donnie Jones’ correctional guard.
Megan’s mother Kelly Sharpton recalls that during their last phone conversation Meg shared that despite not knowing whose mother she would be caring for and having to interview in the evening- she was not overly concerned based on her friendship with Ms. Jones.
ACCESSORY AS A BAD THING
Blink On Crime has learned there is at least one other person making public statements about this case. This man is pointing fingers directly at Jones- and far away from himself.
Timothy Daniel Gifford is the resident of the trailer searched in conjunction with Meg’s case on August 14, 2012.
He is believed to be a suspect as an accessory according to a source inside the investigation speaking to BOC on the condition of anonymity. The source went on to say that Gifford has told investigators Jones confessed the crime to him and has provided details in the investigation.
Gifford was arrested and booked into Bedford County Prison yesterday, but was bonded out shortly thereafter for an unspecified parole violation.
Kelly Sharpton, mother of Megan Sharpton has been appearing almost daily in the media pleading for the District Attorney J. Michael Taylor to proceed with an indictment of these men, or allow Franklin County to arrest them without one in the interest of public safety. General Taylor is believed to have the authority to override any arrest warrant not issued by his office.
Ms. Sharpton was unable to provide any details to BOC about the suspects in this case outside of what she has already said publicly during interviews. Detectives have asked her not to reveal any specifics about the case and she is honoring that request.
Check Back to www.blinkoncrime.com for this developing story.
Contributing Editor: Jacqueline Beaufort
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I found it Christy
http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/pickettrobbieeopn.pdf
Nolo plea to that?
Here’s what I think. You know how rural communities come together to recruit
newly graduated doctors, or doctors wanting a change, to a rural community?
Well, this area needs DA candidate recruitment to someone with a vision of cleaning
up LE in a rural area and law enforcement. Not a political issue, Repub or Dem. It’s a
professional DA issue.
Rose, good suggestion. I researched back thru TN Bar opinions, all appellate mentions, etc.
The closest I could find of this DA trying a murder case (double) that DID NOT have a DNA link, still ended in a plea during trial.
B
Sounds to me like locals could come together as a work group, research retired DAs from the South
(tn, ark, ms, n&s car, ky who are members of tn bar)
and recruit one to come establish residency, run, and set up an effective office
including hiring a new grad they’d train. Write the Tn Bar for names of senior attorneys who’ve served as
DAs. big project I know.
I guess my next question is whose son is
Taylor or is that here somewhere?
Well I was going to suggest going to a State Bar Crim Law CEU panel to get a sense of DAs of TN because in my Southern state these CEU presentations are balanced with both DA & defense Bar. And you can always shoot the breeze at break with who you meet. Anyone can go and learn if you pay. But all the Crim Law this time of year is online video. Say what?
https://www.tnbaru.com/CLE/catalog_by_topic.php
If Tullahoma gets a Citizens Committee for DA Reform, these 2 married attorneys might know attorneys leaving JAG corps looking for a civilian opportunity. . Young attorneys who want to do crim law and begin with prosecution
http://www.joebakerlaw.com/meet.html
1. Attractive? While i do believe that looks play a bigger role in our society than we would like to believe Donnie Jones looks like a narrow-between-the-eyes typical Shasteen, with way too much hair product in his spikey a. I would so move to the other sidewalk if he approached me on the street. If you find him attractive me thinks you need to reassess your dating criteria.
2. If you dress like a thug, talk like a thug, threaten folks like a thug,….expect to be judged as a thug. Anyone defending Timmy Gifford is an idiot. If you weren’t with him that night to testify of his whereabouts you have no idea what you are talking about.
3. Let’s be liberal with J Michael here and assume he has a right to worry about his ability to convict. Let’s be even more liberal and label all of us as guilty of judgment before a fair trial. Let’s be even crazier and let his mother of doubtful judgment off the hook.
Even if they had the wrong guy, he is already a convicted, self proclaimed, demonstrated piece of human trash. WHY for God’s sake is his walking around? His granddaddy was a mean card carrying KKK. If you know much about the KKK you know that they did way more in vigilante justice among white trash than hatred toward blacks. How ironic. Because this piece of shit should have been taken out of the gene pool a long time ago.
1. The “attractive” comment was taken out of context. The poster was merely stating that he did not look like a raging rapist sociopath in the image. Let’s not make someone wrong for that.
2. If it is your choice to be liberal with Gen Taylor, that is your right, I will not and cannot. I invite you to research his record.
I have no information to verify your statement about the familial KKK component, so I would respectfully ask that you back that up with fact, or ask readers to consider that as your opinion and treat it as such.
But, yes, in the end, I agree with your sentiment on Jones.
B
One question, is Mr. Taylor running for re-election in November?
If so, I will join and assist in any way possible even though I’m not from Tennessee to get this man removed from his position.
Is it possible to have him reviewed by the Tennessee Bar Association?
He is mid-term in that capacity to my knowledge.
B
Hi Blink, I don’t know how to contact you so I decided to just ask here. Are there any updates regarding the Jennifer Kesse case? Are you still following it? It’s been a while and a lot of us are wondering what’s going on!
There have been no new developments, but I will always work her case until she is recovered.
B
WTH…Is Taylor and DJ butt buddies or what? or exactly what does DJ have on him? It’s almost like DJ is trying to prove just what all he can get by with. I mean most murderer’s try to cover up their filthy deeds not flaunt them.I have never seen anything like this in my life.
Mr. Taylor, how do you sleep at night? I pray you see Meg’s beautiful face every second of every day, in everything you do!
Did anyone see him in the pick up line at school today?
I’ve read thousands of true crime over my years, and followed many a case, as most others here.
rarely does a serial rapist/murderer look like a ‘boogieman’.
I taught my kids that stranger danger/bad people look nice, they won’t usually be scruffy, etc.
guys with a MO like DonnieJ look like a creeper to those of us with a heightened ‘sense’ for reading dangerous folks.
some people don’t have a feel for that and those are probably the type he seeks.
I encounter daily, men who set off alarms to me. I have a ‘code/SOS’ signal I can gesture to my employees when I’m uncomfortable. the guys know to come to the counter when that happens and just be around.
I’ve been cornered by a customer once trying to get control of me. luckily, my husband was a few feet away and I got out of that situation.
my sense of odd, frightening behavior is probably on the extreme sensitive side of the spectrum, but I will never change.
my impression when I first saw DJ’s picture was, smooth talker,arrogant,womanizing, narcissistic. he probably gets pissed when a girl turns him down. (not saying this is how he justified Megans attack, but I think you all know what I’m saying )
B, as for Taylor, I agree with you on his probable inexperience on cases such as this.
whatever needs to be done to help Kelly and her family, let us know, I fear Taylor and his history prove he knows not how to deal with a case with all the forensics this has.
I agree with whoever said the Sharpton family shouldn’t have to deal with that burden.
I’d be happy to help anyone that knows how to go about the process.
@rose. sorry I didn’t make it clear I was quoting from the cases B posted. lol
@melissa … yes DJ was in the pick up line today! alth
Rose
I’ll be a little lazy and ask if the county government in Tn. is a commissioner style with an elected county judge and four or more commissioners? I know, I could go look it up in the statues.
If that is the organization, the people could get a group together and pay the county judge a visit regarding the non-functioning DA. Elected judges are sensitive to the people since they have to please the people for election. Most of those that I have visited and worked with are reasonable people. And as you point out in your post, the commissioner’s court controls the county budget.
I thought DIS took the kids?!?!
No.
B
@ATG. Good idea, but Judges who actually accepted
some of these plea examples imo means this County
has a Judge problem too. Too comfortable
in Office & at the Country Club. State Senate
race 16 shows those in office can fear nothing. In the primary Dems appear to
have both self destructed (5 battling) & returned a long timer by 34
votes or so. Repub candidate belongs imo on Jon Stewart.
These good people need a Reform Committee and to go recruit like
a country doctor. Take advice on how to find a Tennesseean
leaving JAG Corp after service in Iraq/Afghanistan or something.
Go to U Tn law school’s graduation placement office asking about an older seasoned
person graduating next May, or their alumni office. Don’t forget women grads.
Have your recruit sign onto the party sweeping the County this Nov. Give him or her a place
to live, some business for income, & help him run for office. The Committee needs a leading town businessman,
a Town bank owner (good PR), a Town attorney, and a past president of Lakewood CC on it,
along with some workhorses.
I was reading about past asst DAs in TN now
in private practice. One had the claim to fame of handling
all the child support cases while an ADA. . Taylor’s Office
no doubt stays busy with all that
type stuff & keeps a portion of voters happy.
fine summary of applicable State Statutes governing Counties:
http://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/PUBLIC/web/ctas.nsf/EntriesWeb/86848984F67FD21B862570F500699666/$FILE/December+2010+Handbook+updated+by+Metzger.pdf
The answer to your question ATG is in Ch 2-3. Ouster is p 108
(no. 2) & dependent on a trial run by AttGen. Looks expensive to petitioners & impractical.
Besides what do you put in his place at election time?
If residents don’t want the Same Old, they’ll need to recruit an outsider
wanting to Work.
What would happen if every parent at the school DJs children attend, all neighbors, all merchants, the entire community, each went down to courthouse and filed individual restraining orders against this nut? Could that be done and wouldn’t it box him in?
If someone local knows DJ’s family or his children and have ANY reasonable suspicion (i.e. have ever witnessed) of child abuse or neglect, a simple report to CPS will warrant, at the very least, a minimal investigation. This monster’s children could be suffering and/or in danger.
——–
Christy says: September 27, 2012 at 2:15 am
I thought DIS took the kids?!?!
No.
B
Blink, regarding the Jennifer Kesse case, do you know the reasons why OPD rejected the Kesse’s request for turning the case ‘cold’? Are there still viable leads that OPD is still sorting through? Do you still feel confident in solving this case like you one time did?
Thanks!
Re #17 – I was actually thinking in terms of “stalking”. It does seem he is stalking his next prey.
Yesterday… Casual day at work!! I wore my “meg is our shiny star we are her voice” shirt! I did buy this in the mall… Well like everyday DJ came into my work!! He must have been a little on the edge, the look in his eyes when I was standing in his view was that of a pitbull in front of a piece of raw meat!! READY!! I couldn’t believe it. Iv wore this shirt a time or two, but now I wear it for a lot more reasons!! I’m GLAD he seen it!! I want him too no… I KNOW! T-TOWN know’s!! WE ALL KNOW!!!!
I’m not sure who it was but when I posted how sorry I was, someone said that something must have changed my mind!! You no I wish I could say what I wanted too say
But yes… Iv had a big change of heart… Idk things are just not the same around this town!! Its horrible!
Can somebody post the link about him being in the tanning salon?? Why was he there… I mean what was he doing && why is his wife standing behind him… Does she not feel like a creep as well?? I donunderstand, unless she helped? Why isn’t the DA or anyone doing anything? I don’t even hear anything on the morning news anymore, the radio, nothing! Are they thinking that its just going to fade into the dark like other things have in this town??
@Jane
A person must quality on grounds to seek a RO against another, in essence an imminent threat.
@Vii
If you look to the left and scroll down To Jennifer Kesse’s name, click on it and it will take you to her case. Even though there are no new developments, advocates still post there from time to time. First thing I look at when I log into BOC is her case.
@vii
I am told opd refuses to classify the case as cold because they still receive occasional tips. The reality is once they do the case is turned over to a cold case team with additional resources.
The case is about to be turned over to it’s next investigative team yet again.
Right now, I am afraid I am very much less optimistic than I was when we were able to break significant new details in the case.
That’s about the nicest way I can put that .
This case Will be solved via Foia deluge at this point.
@Momma -
You keep wearing that T-Shirt and you wear it proud..
I know that you are certain Meg would do the same for you. I bet she would have worn holes in it…
I get the feeling that your heart is heavy….
To make matters worse, there is a music festival here in town this weekend. He has made it known that him and his friends will be there.
Friends? Well they will have an audience of the unwelcome variety.
B
@Momma…. I just want tot appologize to your for the comment that I made earlier about you being rude. Sometimes we let our emotions take over our mouths. I have a feeling that is the case for both of us. I, like FloridaGirl, feel like your heart is heavy. Keep wearing your shirt proudly. It may not seem like much to some, but if DJ sees that the community is behind Meg’s family maybe he will crack. (although I don’t foresee him turning himself in anytime soon, or going down without a fight) I do love the fact that everywhere that piece of scum turns Meg is in his face in some form
Keep praying that her case is brought to justice SOON. Our small community needs him off the streets and away from our families. Our children deserve to be able to grow up without having to live in fear…
I did not mean to type DIS, I meant DHS (or CPS, in some areas it’s called?)
I was exhausted last night and my eyes were tired. And btw, I hate autocorrect. LOL
I guess I had mis-read that his kids were recently taken away, I was assuming it was last week.
But, to all you parents that have children at the same school, I hope the teachers/administration are aware of his ‘status’ as a suspect and I hope if anyone sees anything off at all, to call child services.
I like Roses idea of an ADA, I’m afraid though of any connections that way in the ‘network’ of good ol boys in this situation.
DA TAYLOR NEEDS TO ACT NOW. If he’s afraid of prosecuting a forensics case, or doesn’t know how to…he needs to turn it over to someone who can …NOW.
I found a recent Taylor trial in the local news, involving an 18 year old who shot his father two years prior. Kid was barely over IQ limit for mental handicap and had a history of abuse from the father, and Taylor managed to get a life sentence (first degree murder) with concurrent terms for other charges. There were fingerprints and an admission of guilt, but it still took two years for trial. http://www.rheaheraldnews.com/story/1051
Yes, that is a TBI case. Larry Davis, an investigator for TBI is about to work for Taylor.
B
Here is the address to Tennessee Attorney General & Reporter lets bombard him with mail where they will have to get involved and look at this case possibly take it instead of depending on Taylor.
P.O. Box 20207, Nashville, TN 37202-0207
To make matters worse, there is a music festival here in town this weekend. DJ is supposed to be there with his friends.
Not so much CC.
Yay!
B
If taylor has 2 more years in office.It may be then. Before something is done about this.I sure hope not.
Hi Kelly
I read on facebook .That they are goin to give you a free booth at the game friday night.Take it. and pass out as many flyers as you can and t-shirts. And tell as many poeple as you can. It may save some other young girls life.I am sure that if you ask there would be alot of poeple that would help you. The more you get out there the better.Good Luck hope to see you there. Huggs
An organized attempt (by a large number of towns people) to obtain RO’s against DJ might be interesting enough to get press attention. If someone organized this, and then tips off the press that 100 people or so are all going down at a pre-arranged day/time, to try to obtain RO’s against DJ, it might make the news. Although the 100 people may not have proper grounds to seek a RO, the story of a town-in-fear might get national attention.
————
Jane says:September 27, 2012 at 3:09 am
What would happen if every parent at the school DJs children attend,
all neighbors, all merchants, the entire community, each went down to courthouse and filed individual restraining orders against this nut? Could that be done and wouldn’t it box him in?
Christina Stoy says: September 27, 2012 at 8:40 am
@Jane A person must quality on grounds to seek a RO against another, in essence an imminent threat.
January, heart u, but without cause that is bad faith. Never happen and should not, honestly.
B
shouldn’t the feds take over by now, i have been reading definitions of federal crimes to try to find a link ,but,cant find it exactly.but i mean a jail escapee,priors,da problems,an le wife ,that conceived on the job,maybe.then blink mentioned the word federal ,idk.
If what I just sent you is correct…please feel free to post my comment or whatever part of it you deem acceptable! We have all been in this fight together for justice and I pray that justice is served COLD, just like his heart!
IMO we as a community are not doing enough. If DJ has stated that he will be at the festival, I would move that we get as many ppl that we can to make a stand together. We need to show him that we are standing up to him, and his “friends.” It is not fair that our entire community has to live in fear. More importantly it a shame that this family has to live in fear of the scum that took the light out of their lives. I believe that we should show him that he isn’t running this show.
was the gravel area ,where megan’s found ,church property?or church parking?would that qualify as a federal crime——Kelly, i had a hard time ,with the fire aspect, but with my new meterology interest , i just realized ,that a part of her spirit was directly released into the air ,so she’s a wind spirit,too ,double ,since it was near a church.her legacy will live forever.
no.
B
Does anyone know where we can get shirts? I also would like for my family to wear them Saturday night!!
Friend on the scene says DJ is in handcuffs!
Kelly has confirmed that DJ has been arrested and is being held.
That is not correct Connie, he was cuffed on the lawn for his own safety. He is not under arrest- Yet.
B
I live in the same neighborhood as DJ. I just went home at lunch and his house was surrounded by police cars. Most of them were from Franklin County. DJ and his wife were standing in the front yard with a group of detectives. Looks like they are doing a search warrant and searching his house. Hopefully they will find something and get him out of our neighbeorhood. This was at noon today.
http://blinkoncrime.com/2012/09/27/suspect-in-rape-and-murder-of-megan-sharpton-is-arrested-donnie-frank-jones-in-custody-for-felony-gun-possession/
There is a ton of LE searching “DJ’s” house right now. DJ and Wife are standing outside in yard. Praying this will end soon.
They put him in cuffs for his own “safety” shortly thereafter.
B
So DA Taylor isn’t arresting DJ and moving forward with this case because DA Taylor is:
- Incompetent and doesn’t know how to prosecute this/any case
- Lazy and is waiting for DJ to agree to some sort of plea deal
- Corrupt
– Influenced by people (Does Taylor have any ties, what so ever
to anyone associated with DJ or his family? Is Taylor a
member of the country club to which DJ’s mom belongs?)(Who
would be angry if DJ were arrested and prosecuted? How might
they react and/or punish Taylor?)
– Influenced by money (The salary as DA, any business perks he
may somehow be receiving…)
– Influenced by politics & the desire to present “good”
statistics– rigging the system so that it seems as if his
district has a “low” incidence of violent/felony crimes,
has “successful” prosecution record because he gets people to
take plea deals minimizing the number of “not guilty”
verdicts.
– Influenced by crime or negligence in his past or present
I’m putting my chips on incompetent or lazy. Since it appears that DA Taylor is not up for re-election this November and is only halfway through his term– and since a recall would be too expensive, difficult, lengthy– it seems there is only one other option…
The people of Tullahoma should publicly call for the resignation of DA Taylor. Instead of these calls and emails to his office to encourage/demand that he arrest DJ, the calls and emails now need to demand the resignation of a public servant who has proved himself incapable of fulfilling the requirements and responsibilities of his post. Make some posters. Start a petition. Hold a demonstration outside his office. Publicly embarrass, harass and intimidate DA Taylor (without breaking any laws)– since these are the things DA Taylor is allowing DJ to do to the residents of Tullahoma.
this??
HOPE I HOPE I HOPE!!! Progress??? Please??
http://www.tullahomanews.com/?p=8287
Correct.
B
The Tullahoma News just sent a text message out with “Breaking News”. The Tullahoma Police & Franklin Co Sherrif’s Dept have searched another house. This one is on Bel-Aire Dr in Tullahoma. Will attempt to post the link to the story. If it doesn’t work you are welcome to remove it.
http://www.tullahomanews.com/?p=8287
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1287935151001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAABoKSs0E~,ofLqpFsrL-E7VsSi3raciwTyoAXemcT0&bclid=30999375001&bctid=1864586956001
Just read where they investigated another house in Tullahoma in connection with this case today. I pray that this brings us another step closer to an arrest. I am curious if they finally had enough to get a warrant to search the Jones home. Seems like too much time has gone and the evidence will have been destroyed by now, but I want to stay positive.
I don’t think they think they will find anything there after all this time, but I do think it is a hugely strategic move.
B
Blink,
At what stage can the Freedom of Information Act(FOIA)papers be requested?
I know that certain items, unless sealed, can already be in the hands of the media.
Will moving the case to a new investigating team give opportunity to read what the first team had been working on?
As there has been no arrest, no indictments, no warrants served (except on the mobile home, right?)
Reminder to locals: many of us writing here are far away. We do hold you up in prayer and advocate for justice in your community.
You have a large, quite large, number of violent sex offenders in your area who live and work and walk among you.
Please exercise caution always. Enjoy life and know that there are those who want to take that away from you. Blessings. WG
Word I think you may have zigged when you should have zagged, lol. Lemme know if you need me to repost in Kesse or if you are able, on location this afternoon.
B
Here’s information on FOIA and a link to the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. Not all offenders are on this list–either by plea, non-capture, or denial.
http://www.fcc.gov/foia
http://www.tbi.tn.gov/sex_ofender_reg/sex_ofender_reg.shtml