 Calhoun resident Roger Eric Jones, 30, had a preliminary hearing yesterday morning in front
of Roane County Magistrate Russell Goodwin for the brutal murder of 83-year-old Oral "Sam" Jett.
Goodwin said probable cause was found that Jones committed the murder of Jett, and he has been bound over to Roane
County Circuit Court on January 30.
He was returned to Central Regional Jail after the hearing, where he is being held without bond.
Police have said Jones will also be charged with the murder of 68-year-old John Morehead of Arnoldsburg Road.
Roane Sheriff Todd Cole said both men died from blows to the head. Jones confessed to both crimes, with robbery
appearing to be the motive. Cole said it appeared Jones got a couple hundred dollars from both killings.
Morehead's body was discovered in his burning trailer on December 27, and Jett's body was discovered nine days later on
January 4 beside his car in a remote area near Amma, also in Roane County.
Jones was arrested on January 8 at a residence on Walker Road, near Chloe in Calhoun County.
State Police are investigating the Morehead murder, while the Roane County Sheriff's Department is handling the Jett
case.
Sgt. M.K. Cruickshank of the State Police detachment in Spencer told Spencer Newspapers, Jones knew Morehead. He
said it does not appear Jones forced his way into Morehead's trailer. State Police have not revealed Jones' connection to
Morehead.
Sheriff Cole said Jones had been an acquaintance of Jett since childhood, and apparently convinced the elderly man to give
him a ride to the Amma area. After allegedly killing the elderly man, he likely left the scene on foot.
Photo courtesy of The Times Record
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