Man Is Arrested on Murder Charges
Jasper County deputies arrested a man last Thursday, Oct. 26, on a murder charge from Florida that stems from an incident some 20 years ago.
Christopher Michael Wells was arrested in Monticello after a grand jury indicted him on murder charges in Pasco County, Fla.
Mr. Wells and his wife, Tina Marie, both served time for child abuse some 17 years ago, according to a report last week in the St. Petersburg Times. They were convicted of abusing their then two month old daughter, Christina. Christina grew up brain-damaged and partially blind. She died in March.
Florida prosecutors said they could not remember a murder case with such a long delay between injury and death. According to News reports, the Wells’ moved to Georgia this summer, after the investigation into Christina’s death was launched. The medical examiner determined the woman’s death was related to injuries she sustained as an infant, according to the report.
In other crime news, an additional charge of theft by taking was filed against John Williams Kelly of Monticello last week. Mr. Kelly was originally charged with boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs this past April, after the fatal boating accident on Jackson Lake on Easter morning.
Later, he was indicted by a Jasper County Grand Jury with homicide by vessel first degree and reckless operation of a vessel. He was arraigned and pled “not guilty” to those charges in Jasper County Criminal Court this past September 12.
The new charge of theft by taking came as a result of the ongoing investigation by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office of the boating fatality.
According to official reports the custodian of the boat has stated he did not give permission to Mr. Kelly to take the boat.
The boat is currently in the JCSO impound yard under DNR request for accident investigation purposes. Mr. Kelly has bonded out of jail on the recent charge.
Kenneth D. James of Monticello has also had additional charges filed against him. As reported in the news on October 12, Mr James was being sought by the Monticello Police Department on charges of forgery in the first degree, a felony, and theft by taking.
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Since then Mr. James has been arrested, and according to official reports by the MPD, another charge of theft by taking has been added concerning the theft of a cell phone. Also, an additional charge of forgery first degree, a felony, has been added concerning the cashing of a check on the account of St. John CME Missionary Society which was cashed without authority at the Petro Convenience store. Mr. James remained in custody at the Jasper County Jail as of Tuesday.
In other crime related information, the JCSO and the MPD reported the following arrests for the period October 23 through 30:
•Matthew Boyd Mullinax, Monticello—parole violation.
•Robert Clark Luke, Stockbridge—pobation violation.
•Ronald Eugene Alston, Hills-boro—contempt of court.
•Jerry Wayne Crocker, Con-yers—Probate Court bench warrant.
•Dennis Dwayne Lewallen, Shady Dale—probation violation, cancellation of registration.
•Timothy Joe Bell, Monticello—simple battery.
•Michael Chad Greenway, Monticello—probation violation.
•Marl John Hand, Hillsboro—parole violation.
•Julian Rodriguez Martinez, Jackson—Probation Court Bench Warrant.
•Nicole Marie Kitchens, Covington—DUI, failure to maintain lane, driving too fast for conditions, duty of driver to stop at or return to scene of accident, license violation.
•Rodney Jean Hopkins, Monticello—stop sign violation, driving on a suspended or revoked license.
Also during this period deputies with the JCSO responded to 162 calls for service including 37 stopping suspicious person/vehicle, 10 accidents, five vandalism of property, four dog disturbance, four theft by taking, two burglary, and one music/noise complaint.
In addition, during this period the MPD responded to 86 calls for service including 33 stopping suspicious person/vehicle, 10 escort or convoy, six alarm, one crowd disbursement, one music/noise complaint, one fight, and one dog disturbance.
