Man charged with murder in younger brother's death

By Rose Hooper

Wallace Jason Rogers is charged with "unlawfully, willfully and feloniously... killing and murdering Cary Edwin Rogers." According to preliminary reports, the younger Rogers died from blood loss after sustaining stab wounds to his chest.

The brothers ­ just a year apart in age ­ were employed with J-Ton Construction Co. of Tennessee, the firm working on the new high-rise hotel for Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

While the alleged murder is thought to have taken place on the Cherokee Indian Reservation April 1, both men are non-Indians, so the case will be heard in Jackson County.

Cherokee Police Department Detective Angela Lewis arrested Wallace Rogers, who, along with his brother, was living at the Chief Motel on Soco Road near the construction site.

A 96-hour hearing was held for the defendant April 2 before Judge Danny Davis in the Jackson County Courtroom. Because the defendant was not financially able to provide his own legal representation, Judge Davis appointed Sylva attorney Mark Melrose to represent Rogers. On the court docket, Davis noted that Rogers "appeared disoriented."

Rogers is scheduled to appear before Davis for a probable cause hearing on April 17.

Back to Archive: 04/05/01.