THE LEADER THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 ▪ VO L . 1 2 9 , N O. 8 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
TRAGEDY
$1
FIRE SAFETY
Grant donates free smoke detectors By JEFF IRELAND jireland@covingtonleader.com
Man charged in wife's murder Brother-in-law: ‘I want him to be tortured every day’ By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com The family of a mother murdered in Drummonds Friday says they want justice. "I don't want him to die, I want him to be tortured every day," said Glen Cox, the brother-in-law of Shannon Gardner. "I want them to release him to me." Cox has more than a few choice words for Richard Hatchel, his sisterin-law's estranged husband, because his five-year-old son was in the home at the time his aunt was shot to death. "He took somebody away from three kids and did that in front of my son. I hope he gets what he gets." "She got shot right here," the boy said Monday morning, holding both his hands to his chest. "It came out her back. She was on the couch." Cox said he had a doctor appointment and left his son with Shannon. He was notified of the shooting and returned home to find his son in a
Dozens of homes in Munford, Atoka and the surrounding areas are now more prepared for a fire thanks to a cooperative effort between the Munford/ Atoka Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office. Last week, representatives from the Munford/Atoka Fire Department installed 74 free smoke detectors in area homes, primarily for low-income and elderly residents. The State Fire Marshal's Office supplied 99 detectors to the local department. Local fire chief Alan Barkelew said by late this week he expects all of them to be installed. “As soon as they're all gone, we're going to apply for some more,” Barkelew said. “We've been targeting our older residents and some low-income areas to make sure they have working detectors.” SEE FIRE, A3
Strike causes delay in trash collection
Richard Hatchel, left, was charged with firstdegree murder in the shooting death of his wife, Shannon, Friday in their Drummonds home (above).
patrol car. "I was mad. I didn't know if he was hurt or not," Cox said. "After everything was done, he went and put a rag on her to get the bleeding to stop." None of Gardner's three children was home at the time. Cox said Gardner had filed for divorce from Hatchel and he was unhappy with the impending divorce. Affidavits obtained Monday afternoon state Hatchel told detectives his wife kicked him out of the house and on Friday morning he left, headed on a drive toward the river, because "she kept asking for money." Hatchel said he returned to the residence before noon to give her money, but decided to keep it in his jacket pocket. The couple reportedly began arguing and Hatchel said he went to his truck to get his .270 rifle, returned
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Junior, the five-year-old in the home when his aunt "Shay Shay" was murdered by her husband Friday, knows the extent of his aunt's injuries. Photo by Echo Day
to the home and shot Gardner, knowing the five-year-old was inside. According to Hatchel, he dropped the rifle on the living room floor and fled the residence. Deputies were dispatched to the home to check on Gardner after
In Memphis, members of the Teamsters Union at Allied Waste are on strike and it's already causing problems in Atoka. "We've heard word that Republic trucks have been in the community today," said town administrator Brian Koral, "and we're told they're going to try and get it all today." A statement released by the company said there will be some delays, but all waste and recycling will be collected. "We have a plan in place that is now being put into action," said Mike Cohen, a spokesperson for Republic Services. "Many of our managers are out on routes while additional Republic
SEE MURDER, A3
SEE STRIKE, A3
WEATHER
Storm causes damage across Mid-South
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Faye Hunter said she was in the living room when she heard the large tree in her front yard fall. "If it'd have fallen the other way, it would have destroyed our house and would have surely killed us," she said Wednesday. Instead, the tree took out part
The home of Richard Fisher and Faye Hunter was spared when a tree fell into their yard instead of on their house during dangerous storms Tuesday. Photo by Jessica Cooke
INSIDE Lady Chargers ascend to second in state rankings See SPORTS, B1
of her fence and other trees. There are stories just like hers all across the Mid-South following a round of dangerous storms overnight Tuesday. On Wednesday, the State of Tennessee declared of state of emergency as a result of widespread damage from the severe weather. No tornadoes were reported in West Tennessee, but seven tornadoes were confirmed in Middle Tennessee.
McNairy County in West Tennessee was hit hard with damaging winds. Aside from downed limbs and trees, there was no major damage nor injuries reported in Tipton County at press time. The storm brought with it a change in temperature, taking the highs in the 70s from Monday and Tuesday down into the 40s and 50s for the rest of the week.
TRA HOMECOMING COURT
Reader's Guide Opinion A4 Obituaries A6 Community A7 Correspondents A8 Education A11
Sports Puzzles Faith Classifieds Legals
B1 B4 B6 B8 B9
TRA announces its homecoming courts A11
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