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Murder suspects returned from New HampshireBy Carey Phillips |
Jason GraybillJennifer GraybillHerald photos by Rose HooperJason Graybill (pictured top), who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Steve Jones, was escorted into the Jackson County Jail last Thursday after being returned from New Hampshire by members of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. Behind Graybill is Detective Jim Clawson. At right are Captain Wally Hill (front) and Sheriff Jim Cruzan. In the parking lot on the hill is Ruth Mosteller, Jones' aunt. Mosteller thanked Cruzan for his work and told him, "We have the best Sheriff's Department anywhere." Also brought back from New Hampshire was Graybill's wife, Jennifer, who is charged as an accessory in the case. |
A Massachusetts couple charged in connection with the death of a Sylva man were returned to Jackson County last Thursday.
Meanwhile, two more people have been arrested and charged as accessories in the case. Jason Graybill, 26, who listed a Boston address, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Steve Jones, 34, of Flaxman Cove Road. A warrant lists the date of offense as on or about Oct. 24. Jennifer Graybill, also 26, who listed a Qunicy, Mass., address, is charged with accessory after the fact to a felony. Sheriff Jim Cruzan and three detectives from his department arrived with the Graybills at the Jackson County Jail at 3:07 p.m. last Thursday (Nov. 11). The couple had been arrested by the Salem (N.H.) Police Department at a Red Roof Inn a week earlier on Nov. 4. Cruzan and his officers left for New Hampshire on Nov. 5. Under New Hampshire law, the Graybills could not waive extradition until they had attorneys appointed for them. They waived extradition Nov. 10. The Graybills were "very well behaved" on the trip from New Hampshire, the sheriff said. "I feel relieved," Cruzan said upon his return. "I'm proud of all my officers. They're the ones who deserve the credit." Cruzan also praised the work of the Sylva Police Department and Salem Police Department. |
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A 96-hour hearing was held Friday morning for the Graybills. Reid Brown of Waynesville was appointed Jason Graybill's attorney, while Leo Phillips of Franklin was appointed to represent Jennifer Graybill. Jason Graybill is being held without bond, and Jennifer Graybill is being held under $100,000 bond. They are both at the Jackson County Jail.
A warrant alleges Jennifer Graybill became an accessory to the murder by assisting her husband in fleeing North Carolina. Probable cause hearings for the Graybill are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 30, in Jackson County District Court. Their cases are expected to go before the Jackson County Grand Jury on Dec. 13. On Friday, two residents of Star Lane, located off Cabe Road in the Savannah area, were charged with accessory after the fact to a felony. A warrant alleges that Jeannie Ann O'Connor, 26, provided false information as to the whereabouts and name of Jason Graybill. She was released from custody Monday after posting $20,000 bond. Officers said O'Connor had been the victim's girlfriend from time to time. O'Connor's roommate, 23-year-old Jessie Blais, is charged with providing false information as to the identify of Jason Graybill and providing Jennifer Graybill with transportation to a Franklin motel. She also has been released after posting $20,000 bond. O'Connor and Blais are scheduled to appear in court no earlier than Nov. 30. Officers said O'Connor and Blais came to Jackson County about a year ago from Massachusetts. They said Jennifer Graybill and O'Connor had been friends, and the Graybills stayed with O'Connor and Blais for about three weeks prior to the murder. Jason Graybill is also charged here with obtaining property by false pretenses. He allegedly passed a $250 bad check at a local supermarket, according to a warrant. Jason Graybill faces a Massachusetts charge of raping a minor child. He was charged in New Hampshire with felon possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. Jennifer Graybill was charged in New Hampshire with hindering apprehension and resisting arrest. Jones was reported missing Oct. 27. His body was found the following evening in a wooded area on property belonging to his relatives in the Barkers Creek community. Jones sustained multiple gunshot wounds from a handgun to the head, chest and abdomen, according to Dr. William Mims, Jackson County medical examiner. Jones Murder Part 1 (Archive)Jones Murder Part 2 (Archive)Jones Murder Part 3 (Archive)Jones Murder Part 4 (Current Issue) |
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