Megan Sharpton Murder: Prime Suspect Donnie Jones Indicted For Her Murder, Rape
Tullahoma, TN- Donnie Frank Jones, Jr, the primary suspect in the rape and murder of Megan Sharpton the evening of July 1, 2012, has been indicted for her rape and murder today in Franklin County, TN.
Additional arrests are expected in this case.
Reached at home this evening, Kelly Hale Sharpton, Meg’s Mother, declined comment until tomorrow morning.
Please check back to www.blinkoncrime.com for developments.
If I may be so bold, I would like to share this. It reminds me of a song Meg might recommend we all enjoy.
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thank God. ignore my frantic emails. I got the VINE alert that said ‘out of custody’ and flipped.
ok. brb..catching my breath.
love and peace to everyone…especially Kelly and family.
SOrry, you and a few others. I decided not to hold the update because my cell, office and email were ringing off the hook thinking he bonded out.
Not so. On the road to justice, God Bless and Thank you for lighting the way Ms. Meg.
B
thank YOU B. omg…finally.
now, onto other arrests and Sweet, starry Megan IS lighting the sky for all.
I’m just crying…
I knew you’d *get* my emails and messages. LOL
I was fixing to have hubby drive my butt to the DA. lol
ok..we can all breathe just a bit.
peace, love and all the light toward Kelly. We’re here..he’s there and you deserved a bit of quiet.
Yes, it’s about Faith.
To believe against so many odds that justice would and could come is such a small victory for Megan’s family–their pain is just too great.
For us, who advocate for victims and watch carefully how cases move through the courts and what kinds of legislative action comes about, well, for us, it’s all about The Faith.
If enough of us stand together all over this country, we can affect change.
If we teach our children well, there will be fewer cases like Megan’s.
If we refuse to accept criminality as an acceptable part of life, we win.
Joe Cocker sings with such passion:
“Cause I’ve been loving you for such a long time, baby
Expecting nothing in return
Just for you to have a little faith in me
You see time, time is our friend
‘Cause for us there is no end
All you gotta do is have a little faith in me…”
Thank you to Blink for lighting the torch so that we can see injustice for what it is and for the encouragement to keep at this thing called Faith.
No, thank you, for being open to, and advancing the very real need for faith in the face of such horror.
B
Blink,
How many counts on those felonies?
Does anyone know who Lucinda Ford is, as listed in MyLife as associated with DFJ?
Tommy is quiet. So is Theresa.
Will update as able.
B
Good. One less on the streets. What Megan suffered was horrific. I have hope that this monster will get what he deserves, and a little more peace kowing that right now at least, he can’t prey on anyone else.
Thank you Blink.
Thank you B…. my heart was in my throat last nite when the vinelink changed has status. Peace for Megan ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Great news Blink! I was really starting to lose faith.
Yeaaaaaa, whoop whoop, hallelujah, thumbs up, good news, jump for justice with a few somersaults. Continued prayers for Megan’s family and friends.
Let there be justice for MEG, may God Bless all who have fought for her and her family.
Just watched the live broadcast of the press conference. I wanted so bad to just reach through my computer and hug Kelly. She has been a rock through all of this. I can’t imagine everything she has been through. Prayers to all of the Sharpton family.
I am curious though… where are all the people who were so sure that Mr. Donnie M.F. Jones was innocent? Don’t hear much from them anymore….in the press conference Todd said that DJ shed a few tears during the booking process last night. Were they tears of remorse or tears of fear? Either way he will get what he deserves. The local news stated that charges on others involved would follow. Hope they have all their “ducks in a row”… gonna be a long time before they see the light of day. Justice for Megan <3
Great news Blink! Just what I’ve been hoping to read here every day. Thoughts and prayers to Megan’s mother and family. May justice be swift!
Thank You, God, LE, and Blink!!!!!
I wish the audio/video was better on that press conf…but it was so good to see that happen.
Back when Sheriff Fuller was running for election, that was the ONLY time I’ve ever had a campaign sign in my yard…ever. He is a good man.
I can’t wait to see the other arrests happen asap.
Kelly, you are our hearts.
Blink, because Megan was set on fire, why was Mr.J only indicted for Rape and Murder? Those tears were probably tears of fear knowing every night is “date night” where he’s going. What a wimp. My prayers to the Sharpton family. Thank you for all you do, Blink.
My thoughts and prayers to Megans Mom her family and her friends and to the community-
To LE
as well as for Megan and the innocent children
AJMO
This is one and maybe soon the others associated with this crime.
Great news for the Sharpton family. Stay strong, all here will add our thoughts and prayers,
The investigator said there not looking at any other suspects…so what about the accomplices? Naomi seems like she’s in it deep, as is this “G” character. What’s up with that? Any other arrests coming?
The best and only answer I can offer is that there is much riding on individuals providing details through grand jury testimony.
Y’all remember when I encouraged an individual to be straightforward sooner rather than later?
B
So the certain individual is ‘singing for his supper’ so to speak?
There is a particular Mrs I want to see a mugshot of soon. I did enjoy Thunder Radios photo of DJ in cuffs with Hindman behind. DJ doesn’t look too cocky in the photo.
pitiful evil…pure evil.
Keeping the Faith…thanks for the push B. can’t wait to hear what’s gone on.
Hear hear pale rider thank you God ,
LE, and Blink!!
This is wonderful news, thank you Blink for the update. Prayers to Meg’s family!
Have a little faith. Loved the song, listened twice, all the while thinking of Meg and Kelly and all who loved her. Beautiful. Thank you Blink. Good job.
So does this mean Gifford didn’t burn a womans body?
No. And that woman has a name. Meg.
Mr. Hargrove, it is my well-intentioned suggestion to you that when you speak to Mr. Gifford you may wish to ask him if he is a fan of his friends posting on this case.
Yes, I believe Mr. Gifford will be a witness in this case that will include that discussion.
I also believe he is on the finest of tightropes, today.
B
I like so many others was happy to hear this on the news. The first thing i said through tears was Thank You God!!I don’t think Donnie was shedding tears for what he had done but because he knows now he will not see the light of day outside of that jail.. Kelly and Megan’s entire family has been through a living hell these last four months and now it’s time for them to get Justice for Megan..
Jane,he is charged with first degree murder (premeditated , during a felony) and felony murder (directly resulted in her death) same theory with rape and kidnapping charges. (Blink, correct me if wrong please.)
The fire portion of the crime….see above posts re: the guy singing for his supper. still a felony, though.
This is O/T but I wanted to bring awareness to yet another senseless brutal murder close to my home here in Michigan. Rebekah Gay was brutally murdered in her home by a neighbor while her 4 year old son was sleeping on Halloween Eve. Her killer was a convicted felon who served time in Jackson prison for crimes/manslaughter against women. He was a PASTOR of a local church; the details in this case are disgusting so if you care to know more, please search. Thank you for all you do to bring awareness Blink.
Question for locals and those who might know: I searched spokeo and found a tullahoma home valued at 41k and it shows 13 people (ages 38-73) living it? Square footage is not listed, although it was built in 1951 and allows pets.
So, are the spokeo numbers correct? how far off are they? Is it common for so many people to live in one home in the Tullahoma area? Is real estate that inexpensive? (or undervalued?)
It’s hard to tell from Google maps–how’s the part of town around Lee and Grundy streets?
WordGirl, its probably a high turnover rental. That area has some homes in that value.
It’s a neighborhood with lots of varied homes. older homes.
For this I am grateful.
Can we safely assume the DA will not allow a plea in exchange for less than life in prison?
The case against him is iron clad, but I know better than to think I know or can predict the outcome-
As an example it is my OPINION that Naomi may face charges in this case.
B
Hi WG. I cannot speak about TN home values, but there are places in the mid-west where decent houses in cute neighborhoods are sold at new car prices.
A friend’s mother and grandmother stayed in our formerly Polish neighborhood in Toledo after it changed demographically and became not as safe as it once was. They each owned two-family homes on separate streets. The smaller house sold for $12,000 eight years ago, less than the price of a Toyota Corolla. The larger house sold last year for $30,000, the price of a Jeep Cherokee*. Though not updated, that duplex house was in immaculate repair; consisting of 2 two bedroom apartments, full kitchens, LRs, DRs, basement & garage on a nice corner lot.
Living in the Northeast, those prices shock me. Twenty five years ago that duplex would have gone for over $100,000 in Toledo. The same house/lot/same looking neighborhood in Norwalk CT would go for $300,000, even in this depressed market.
*Jeep headquarters; Toledo OH
Annals and Christy, thx. We’re still dealing with an over-inflated housing market on the West coast, though there’s been quite a decrease in home prices.
I was just wondering if that many people live in a small house and what they might be doing there. It makes sense that the names stay attached to the house after the resident has moved.
Blink–you mentioned Kelly would be making a statement on Tuesday. Is she waiting for more indictments? I can’t imagine the burden she carries–such a sad and appalling case.
Great work Blink.
Thanky sen sai
B
Well u dont handle being wrong very well do ya. Do u remember telling me Mr. Gifford burnt a womans body? That woman has a name and its Megan. You believe? That’s the problem your on this website posting lies and false statements when u clearly don’t no what your talking about. And just so you know I talk to Gifford every day and he ain’t really stressing nothing. Oh and he says to tell you hi. So don’t be so mad hell everybody has to be wrong sometime but being a reporter you should get your fasts straight before you post them.
There is not a thing I have said that will not be heard in open court.
Let me repeat- I stand by my coverage in this case 100%. Perhaps you can reserve your insults until then- as I have more experience in this sort of thing and associated strategic decisions leading to successful prosecutions.
I doubt highly Gifford is using you to be his errand boy of the web. That piece of paper of his is extremely thin. See-through, in fact.
B
Hi Annals I need to ask you something.Do you feel this is the right place to talk about houses and cars. This is about a young lady that lost her life.
Now back to the case. I feel there had to be someone else in on this. Because of the cars and where they was.From what i read. Her car wasnt find for a few hours.and it was in the middle of the road.Some 30 miles away.Donnie couldnt drive them both.And one more thing.How did he know where she was going to be that night.I dont feel he just run in to her at walmart.I think she was set up some how.And this is where i feel his wife come in to it.Or Mr Gifford.And one more thing.What about the gas. Most poeple dont ride around with gas in thair car.
And I know kids these days all have cell phones. So who was callin who that night. I cannt wait till the trail to find out.If there is a trail.
Thank you everyone for your words of support. I can’t tell you how much they help especially during the longest days. I am so grateful for the diligent work everyone has done on Megan’s case. It’s leading to great results. I am also proud of Meg for stopping him. She along with all others will keep him from ever doing this to another person. Already, everybody knows his name and face. He can’t hide in plain sight any longer. I know that our community is a safer place to be. Please don’t be fooled into thinking there is only one evil person. What I have learned is evil can happen anywhere. Always be aware and safe. Always make sure someone knows your EXACT schedule. Always take a friend. I still shake when the media asks me questions, I still cry every single night, but I am stronger today than yesterday. I will be stronger tomorrow too. All for my starry girl… Peace for Megan.
I remain in awe of your strength K-
B
The case of Alicia Moore is a strange one. I am thinking bullying. Its disgusting that LE did nothing until Monday when alerted on Friday.
http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-what-happened-to-alicia-moore-20121107,0,3733272.story
I hope that if he is the criminal, who perpetrated this act, (which I believe he is), that he suffers, to a much higher degree than his victim did ( which would be a pretty horrible fate)….I continue to be astonished, at the crimes that people suffer at the hands of others….
Jeez, what took them so long??? It seems like it’s been forever since he was even named as a POI.
Forensics, prosecutorial strategy and indictment.
B
I am agreeing with Bob H, we all are wondering when other arrests will be made in this case. We are also wondering how DFJ could possibly drive two cars at same time; we are wondering what Naomi is up to because wasn’t it mentioned early on that she made a call to get poor Megan to the location? Still tons of unanswered questions. Seems like one day more arrests are coming; then no more arrests… It would be nice to put all of the suspects in the same room together and see what kind of stories they really tell… BUT whatever the case may be, there was NO reason such a beautiful young girl like Megan should have been tortured and lost her life… Looks at the families after the fact, all of Megans family that will never have her back; just memories; look at all of DFJ’s family wondering how he could do something like this and the children he left behind; this is just so horrible and my opinion did NOT have to happen…. And the sorry part about it is NONE of us will ever know the REAL Truth because if these horrible people did this, does anyone think they will come forward with the TRUTH. I would say, NOT… It is not in them…. Kelly has been a strong lady, but God has put angels with her because I know I couldn’t have been as strong… My heart goes out ot them daily. My prayers is for continued comfort for them and some kind of peace. Such a sad thing in life to have to deal with and such a waste… God bless you all….
Blink – in one of your responses above, you refer to Gifford’s piece of paper being very thin. Maybe I missed something, but what “piece of paper” are you referring to?
You did not miss anything Jack, and I doubt you ever have, lol.
I am referring hypothetically, as is necessary, to a person’s queen for a day letter.
B
RE: bob h says:
November 8, 2012 at 12:41 pm
“Hi Annals I need to ask you something.Do you feel this is the right place to talk about houses and cars. This is about a young lady that lost her life.
Now back to the case.”
——————————————————–
Hi bob h; My comment, while seemingly off topic, was in response to a question asked by Word Girl about the socio/economic conditions in a neighborhood in Tulahoma. Word Girl was following up on some investigative thought on this case. My intent was to illustrate that home prices in the middle of the country may not predict the “socio” element of working class neighborhoods. As it turns out, Christy’s response to the same question (which was not yet visible when I wrote) is more to the point than my comment is. My apologies for insensitivity.
bob h, I also apologize if anyone thought I was being insensitive to the grim and very serious nature of the situation we write about. Certainly, I would feel worse than I can even imagine, if I hurt Kelly or her family.
I’ve been doing research for a long time and sometimes the intellectual aspect of it causes me to be a bit more detached. I hope that my questions about the homes in a specific area of Tullahoma didn’t make me seem that way.
I have been studying the roots of crime and the dysfunction of families and individuals, as well as the society they move through–churches, schools, community groups, extended family, and more. This is a very involved study in an attempt to find pathways for education and nurture, with the long-term goal of diminishing crimes against children, especially, and to facilitate change in the way offenders are punished.
Hope that helps, bob h, and now perhaps we can get back to finding out why Mr. Hargrove is so vocal in his support of T. Gifford and why Naomi Jones is so silent about her role in the demise of Megan Sharpton.
Blink, is it your opinion that Gifford will testify in this case to lessen his sentence if he is found guilty? I’m just wondering that if he truly did this, would he get off because he testified against DFJ? If he did this, I feel he needs to pay for his part in all of this…as does Naomi Jones, as she seems to have a bigger role in this than thought…or what we heard about… in the very beginning.
I am very limited in what I can say in that regard. I can say Gifford’s testimony will be used by the prosecution in this case, and it may be used in other prosecutions.
It is a moving target in cases like this, not trying to be coy.
B
This is O/T… The Daily Progress has an article in today’s edition: “Man Charged After Attempted Abduction of UVA Student”. His name is Matthew Rene Beaulieu, 26 y/o, from Palmyra. It was a very bold act. Needless to say, Morgan came to mind.
Sometimes in getting information and researching info on things, the things gathered such as home prices, employment, local information can be very helpful.
aside…TG is walking a fine line, grand jury testimony and all. so…I understand his ‘buddy’ standing up for him, but I said it before, tell what you know. Just tell. There are facts known about the crime, obviously, so I believe trying to NOT tell will get your ASS in a sling in this situation.
I can guarantee you won’t get anything past the investigation team in this case….so…start talking.
Donnie wasn’t so cocky when the indictments were handed down.
Megan will receive justice and she will never be forgotten. ever. The jerks that took her, will no longer have a name after this is said and done.
hi, Jane, thx for the article from the Daily Progress.
The woman was walking home alone at night when she was tailed and attacked by this man. She says she fought, using the skills she’d learned just last week at her sorority’s defense training.
Saved her life, but could have saved her a fight and a huge risk if she had gotten a ride home or walked with a buddy/others. Where was her pepper spray and other weapons?
#1 weapon is planning.
http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/crime/article_3669046c-2aaa-11e2-8872-0019bb30f31a.html
Many of you are silently checking this column for updates in the case and are praying for arrests and indictments to come down. You come from all sorts of situations and professions. Some of you are the Bad Guy/Girl, wanted by LE, some of you may be LE. If so, thank you for all you do.
While it is quiet, please assess your own safety. Not the kind of “I always look in the backseat before I get in my car” kind of precautions. Self-defense classes abound–even on you tube. Is your pepper spray a tiny, keychain model in a leather case you can’t open?
Some of the old advice about rape, for example, “just be quiet and don’t fight” will not, will not save you.
Safety is about making decisions before you need help. I’ve found it helpful to walk through the scenarios, yet I still make mistakes and feel gratitude later.
There is a great book by Gavin deBecker, The Gift of Fear. It’s on audio book, too, and you can call your library to ask them to get it or hold it for you.
Just so you don’t think I’m a wordy knowitall, yesterday I locked myself out of the house and had to crawl in through the kitchen window. Unlocked.
So glad that SOB finally got charged!! Now, can’t wait till the others involved are also charged!!
The attempted abduction at Charlottesville is not the only thing that recently happened. There have been two recent rapes on UVA campus property within the past few days.
It seems that partying is more important than safety. Both rapes happened after midnight. One rapist was white and the other black.
At least they are being reported. Have there been others that were not reported?
The attempted abduction was done by a guy that lived at Pslmyra a very small community about 18 miles East of Charlottesville.
I agree with you Word Girl, the first thing is planning how you are going to get from one location to another safely. The small amount of training this young woman recieved at her sorority probably saved her. The first thing that should be drilled into the minds of these young women is not to travel alone after dark. It appears that there is some attempt being made to help the young women at UVA. There needs to be a big effort to get all women on campus and off to understand what can happen to them and how to prevent it. It will take a while. Some will think that it couldn’t happen to them.
There is a spray that is a lot stronger than pepper spray and that is a spray made to repel bears. It is not legal in every state, but neither is the abduction of a person. It can be purchased at a large sporting goods store like Cabella’s or Bass Pro shops. If I were a young woman, I would try to obtain the bear spray. It will put a human down for a while.
We need to equip our young women with the skills necessary to make a potential rapist or abductor think about the harm that could come to them if they try it. My choice is a gun and plenty of training and practice in the use of it. When a few of these criminals loose their life in an attempted attack on a woman, it may cause some others to choose not to do it.
For the record, Megan always carried mace and a stun gun because she got out of clinicals very late. They are of no use when your attacker has more than that. Size, fear, and perhaps even a “bigger” weapon. She was smart. She was far from naiive and I know she fought like a wildcat. She was gentle and kind, and wide open if the situation called for it. I stand by my advice, knowing my girl like I do, DON”T walk alone, DON’T leave without makeing sure everyone knows your EXACT whereabouts, and DON’T trust anyone. My message now that I am learning to live without her is safety first. And we MUST do something about cretins wandering around with 21 felony CONVICTIONS. This hsould have NEVER ever happened. Proud of Megan and Inv Hindman for ensuring it won’t. Peace to you all.
As WordGirl touched upon, I have been told that when you are moving from point A to point B, you want to be carrying your pepper spray in your hand, ready to go. If it’s in a case, you might not be able to open it when you need to. If it’s attached to your keychain, you might not be able to find your keys fast enough, especially if your purse is a mess like mine. You also don’t want to mount it somewhere in your car– difficult to access and the high temperatures reached in a closed car can damage the contents.
I was also taught to hold pepper spray differently than you would any other kind of spray can (think spray paint or hair spray where you grasp the canister between your thumb and other fingers with your index finger on the spray button). Instead, you want to wrap your four fingers around the canister, curling it into your palm (like you are holding a walking stick or ski pole) and placing your thumb on the spray button. I was taught that you will have a stronger grip on the canister holding it this way, and that it would be harder to pull it or knock it out of your hand if you were attacked.
Know the range of your pepper spray product– how far it will shoot– because while you don’t want to spray people willy nilly, you do want to be proactive if someone threatening is violating your personal space to hopefully ward off any actual physical contact/conflict.
Though it requires being observant and taking note of your surroundings and the conditions, it would help to be generally aware of the wind as you move because you don’t want to spray into the wind, depending on the thickness/mist of the product.
Also, ATG touched upon bear spray. I actually have several cans of pepper spray and inadvertently had one in my purse once when I went to the county courthouse. I left my pepper spray with security (it got locked into a locker with any other lawful weapons brought by visitors). When I went to retrieve my pepper spray I was asked if I had a permit to carry it because it was apparently a “high test” formula typically used by LE and requiring a permit to carry otherwise. Of course I didn’t know this. However, it wasn’t confiscated and I didn’t get in trouble for it. While I may have gotten a “pass” because I was totally unaware of the regulations, I may have also gotten a “pass” because it was clear that as a woman, it was being carried for purposes of self-defense. So long story short, even if it’s technically illegal, get yourself some bear spray if you feel so inclined, or “high test” pepper spray.
And finally (sorry for the length) I’ve also owned a gel type of pepper spray which supposedly goes on thicker and sticks to someone’s skin, as well as a pepper spray that contained some sort of UV dye so that even if the pepper was washed off, the dye would remain on one’s skin for a while which might assist in apprehension. Lots of options out there.