Justice for Jessica? Suspect in Burning Death of Jessica Chambers Goes to Trial on Monday

[Mockingbird]

 

It was a horrific site: A young woman, on fire, stumbled down a rural road. Police and paramedics tried to save her but failed.

 

The December 6, 2014 murder of former high school cheerleader  Jessica Chambers, shocked the close-knit town of Courtland, Mississippi. Her case garnered national attention, drew online sleuths to a “Justice for Jessica” Facebook page, spawned a large reward for information leading to an arrest and a large-scale manhunt for her killer.

 

Now, almost three years later, the trial of Quinton Tellis, who grew up in the same neighborhood and attended the same high school as Jessica, is expected to begin in Panola County circuit court in Batesville on Monday.

 

The jury, which will be sequestered for the duration of the much-anticipated trial, is expected to be picked on Monday and opening statements should begin Tuesday.

 

 

Jessica, 19, was doused with an accelerant and set on fire December 6, 2014. Police and paramedics found the teen engulfed in flames outside of her burning black 2005 Kia Rio. She was flown by helicopter to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis where she died on Sunday at 2:37 a.m.

 

At the time, police had precious few clues.

 

Jessica was last seen on grainy gas station footage that shows her walking towards a gas station, about 90 minutes before first responders discovered her on fire about one mile from the gas station. The footage shows Jessica waving before she walks over to speak with someone.

 

The surveillance camera also picks up a man wearing a striped shirt filling up a gas can before walking in the same direction as the teen. Soon after, Jessica returns to her car and drives off.

 

Prosecutors are expected to call as many as 40 witnesses.

 

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Source: http://people.com/crime/jessica-chambers-quinton-tellis-trial-murder/