By Tyler Pruett

tyler@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.— This weekend, the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department found itself dealing with its second homicide in less than a month. Emergency services received a call at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night. The caller reported a 48 year old male had been shot. When Henagar police officers and deputies arrived on the scene, they found Kenneth Dewayne Shaw, aged 48, face-down in his yard, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Shaw was pronounced dead on arrival, and Dekalb County Coroner Tom Wilson was called to transport the deceased to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science for an autopsy ordered by District Attorney Mike O’Dell.

This began an around the clock investigation that also involved several agencies and multiple local departments including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators were dispatched as far as Georgia to interview persons of interest. Initially, reports indicated that one person of interest was being held in the Jackson County Jail on unrelated charges, while two others who were believed to have fled the scene were being sought for questioning. On Wednesday, Sheriff Jimmy Harris announced Casey Adam Jones, 39, of Rosalie had been arrested in Jackson County in connection with the murder. Investigators believe the motive for the murder was owed money, but the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, south of Dekalb in Cherokee County, a triple homicide in the Round Mountain community ended dramatically after the alleged perpetrator wrecked in Sand Rock while being pursued by law enforcement. The incident happened at approximately 12:30 a.m. Monday morning, when a domestic dispute turned violent in an extremely isolated area. The residence is located a mile down a one-lane dirt road. The suspect sideswiped a deputy responding to the call, and the chase ensued. Donnie Lee Abernathy, age 38, is charged with capital murder in the deaths of Sylvia Sue Duffe, 71, Clara Lee Edwards, 69, and Pamela Collette O’Shel, 49, all residents of Centre. He is also charged with First Degree Kidnapping for abducting a 25 year old female, who was injured in the conclusion of the high speed chase. Abernathy made his first court appearance today, in which he was denied bond.