THE LEADER THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012 ▪ VO L . 1 2 8 , N O. 3 8 ▪ T H E VO I C E O F TIPTON COUNTY S I N C E 1 8 8 6 ▪
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Vigil held for teen killed by cousin Jones family says they want Farrow released By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Friday night a vigil held for James E. Jones Jr., a recent Brighton High graduate, turned emotional as family friends prayed for his killer's release. "If it was up to us, and if it was up to God, we'd release him," an unidentified member of the family prayed to the crowd. Jones, 19, went missing Tuesday, Sept. 25. His car was found the next morning at an abandoned building on Hwy. 179. Blood found inside told deputies foul play was involved in his disappearance. As Tipton County deputies searched for Jones, his cousin Daniel Farrow was being interviewed by detectives. That night his body was found in a field on Lindsey Road between Covington and the Gift Community. He'd been shot in the head. Farrow, 21, was charged with shooting his cousin and dumping his body. Jones, who was a caregiver with the Brighton Elementary School-Aged Childcare (SACC) program and known as "Mr. J-Dawg," was laid The family of to rest Sunday. His shooting victim James funeral was held at E. Jones Jr. says they Brighton High School. have forgiven Daniel Farrow, the 21-yearOn Monday, Farold charged with row was arraigned Jones's death. in Tipton County General Sessions Court. Charges include felony first degree murder, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and theft. He is currently in custody at the county's correctional facility and is being held without bond while attorneys decide whether or not he will face the death penalty. Family members said Monday they've already forgiven Farrow, a man who grew up close to Jones. "It's been tough but we're getting through it, every day gets sweeter and sweeter," said Jones's uncle Chris Dowell. "(Jones's mother) has released Daniel as far as forgiving him and if it was up to her, she would have him released," Dowell said. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has not released a motive nor an explanation for the theft charge. Farrow is due back in court on Oct. 12.
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com He arrived to the sounds of the Marine Corps Hymn playing and his name being chanted. Hundreds of people lined the streets for his overnight arrival, waving flags, holding posters and cheering for their hometown hero. It was then that Christian Brown knew he was home. "When you're over there, you're just another grunt on the ground," he said during an impromptu meet and greet with the crowd after the Patriot Guardescorted motorcade made its way down Munford Avenue. "When you get hit, you don't expect it … you start to wonder as you're laying in the hospital and recovering, you realize your life's not going to be the same and you wonder, 'Was it worth it?' or 'Is it going to be worth it?' or 'Did I make a difference?'
Munford native Cpl. Christian "CB" Brown, who was wounded in an IED attack in December, returned early Friday morning to a large crowd. Above, he chats with those who stayed up all night to welcome him and posed for plenty of photos. Photos by Echo Day Visit youtube.com/covingtonleader to view our exclusive video of Cpl. Brown's homecoming.
And then you see something like this and you realize you wouldn't take it back." Brown, now a corporal in the U.S. Army, was wounded in an IED attack in
December 2011 in Afghanistan while supporting the War on Terror. He lost both of his legs and part of a finger and has been in Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
DSCC hosts District 81 candidate forum By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com Education, jobs and crime were hot topics at the political forum hosted by Dyersburg State Community College Tuesday night. At the campus named for Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, the longtime state representative from Covington, two candidates vying to replace him shared their views and visions. Conneye Albright (D-Munford) said, if elected, she will bring unique perspective to the office. "I'm an educator and I know what happens and where the money goes when it goes down to the school level," she said. Tommy Hill (I-Brighton) said he is also focused on education, more spe-
Brighton defeats Munford in big county game. A11
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State representative candidates Tommy Hill and Conneye Albright answer questions during Tuesday night's forum at DSCC. Photo by Echo Day
cifically on making post-secondary education more affordable, as well as lowering the county's unemployment rate. "We know that, in order for our
community to grow, we must educate our people and developed a skilled workforce," he said. "We must find a way to make getting an education more affordable."
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ever since, undergoing surgeries, physical therapy and much more. The Munford graduate, who was honored at the Brighton-Munford football game Friday, a game dubbed the Christian Brown Benefit Bowl, returned to his roots early that morning. Despite several weather delays that changed his arrival time from 11:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., nearly 200 people were wide awake and eager to welcome their hero back to his hometown. "I think this says that these people great appreciate the cost of freedom," said Mayor Dwayne Cole of the crowd. "CB just has an enormous sacrifice on his part and I just think it's remarkable …it says a great thing about America." Jodi Turner brought her eighth grade son Will to the homecoming and the two stayed until about 3:30 a.m.
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Make your plans to attend the 40th annual BBQ Festival October 4, 5 and 6 at Cobb Parr Park.
Night of the Living Dead takes the stage tonight. A7
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