Jackson Free Press

Jackson Deputy Police Chief Gerald Jones announced that police issued an arrest warrant on Thursday for Jackson resident Sherrod Moore, who is a suspect in the deadly shooting of Jackson Police Officer Robert J. Washington. Washington, 37, disappeared Nov. 14, 1995, while patrolling his beat in Precinct 2. Police located his body the following day in a field near U.S. 80 West and Whiting Road. He had died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head.

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton joined Jones in announcing that a grand jury had indicted Moore for capitol murder.

Jones was vague on the details surrounding the renewed investigation, and would give no information on the new evidence leading to Moore's indictment.

"We have other arrests that may be pending in this case, so we're not able to answer that question," Jones said, adding that Moore was a suspect at the beginning of the investigation more than 12 years ago. "He was developed as a suspect early on through interviews, and the gathering of evidence led in that direction.

Jones also would not discuss possible motives in the shooting, but told reporters that Moore should still be in the Jackson area.

While unprepared to announce that Moore was "armed and dangerous," Jones did say that residents should be mindful that Moore is wanted for capital murder.

Jackson police say Moore was recently released from jail on unrelated charges.

Unofficial information from police sources suggest Washington's murder case may have been revived thanks to new information from people familiar with the shooting, rather than new crime scene evidence.

The indictment joins a successful string of investigations under Jones since Melton transferred him from the city's impound lot last year. This morning Melton praised Jones' and investigators' effort in developing the case.

"Under the leadership of (Deputy) Chief Jones, he has been able to resolve this issue and solve this case, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of Gerald Jones," Melton said.

Previous Comments

ID

98231

Comment

WJTV just showed footage of Moore being arrested. He turned himself in.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-01T17:03:37-06:00

ID

98232

Comment

The reporter there tried to get comments from Moore, and he just said, "Ask your mayor." Also, I didn't know that Washington's family hadn't gotten their police death benefits yet. WJTV said there was confusion about whether or not Washington was killed in the line of duty, even thogh his name is on the police memorial. However, JPD or whoever is over it now says that he was killed in the line of duty, so the family will get the benefits.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-01T17:08:22-06:00

ID

98233

Comment

WJTV link WAPT link WAPT said the mayor told them that he does not know Sherrod Moore and has no connection with him.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-01T18:24:04-06:00

ID

98234

Comment

Did you say he was arrested on "capitol" murder charges because the deed was done in the state capitol?

Author

footsy

Date

2008-02-01T22:21:10-06:00

ID

98235

Comment

Moore was a suspect in this case from day one. I PRAY there is now new evidence sufficient to CONVICT and this is not one of those media “face time” events that turns out badly for RJ’s family and those of us who have lived with his death for a dozen years...

Author

Robert Johnson

Date

2008-02-02T16:38:12-06:00

ID

98236

Comment

Mr. Johnson, what type of person was Officer Washington?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-02T16:46:24-06:00

ID

98237

Comment

L.W: "Mr. Johnson, what type of person was Officer Washington?" Not sure I understand the question, but he was generally considered to be a good police officer.

Author

Robert Johnson

Date

2008-02-02T16:52:01-06:00

ID

98238

Comment

Oops, I didn't mean to imply anything negative. Since it sounded like you knew him well, I thought that maybe you had some good things to share about him.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-02T16:59:16-06:00

ID

98239

Comment

No problem L.W., I was the JPD police chief when he was murdered...such things affect you personally.

Author

Robert Johnson

Date

2008-02-02T17:05:59-06:00

ID

98240

Comment

Okay, I understand. You don't have to go into detail if you don't want to. I just hope this case is resolved once and for all.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-02T17:11:37-06:00

ID

98241

Comment

Well, I do too. My point is that I hope it is NOW a strong case against Moore and not just some people posturing for media attention for their own purposes. It would be a da*n shame if MOORE walked on this case because of the self aggrandizing behavior on the part of some people.

Author

Robert Johnson

Date

2008-02-02T17:19:07-06:00

ID

98242

Comment

I totally agree. If there is enough evidence to convict and witnesses who are willing to testify, I do hope that certain people would stay out of the way and let the justice system handle it. Too much interference will mess it all up.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-02T17:50:43-06:00

ID

98243

Comment

This case is slowly turning into a zoo: Reminiscence of some other cases that the mayor came forth in. It was interesting to hear that Sherrod Moore said, "ask your mayor: He knows all about that murder." What did that mean? Now the DA, Schuler Smith is being threatened via the "mayor's office." According to Smith, the calls were sent through frank melton. This is stacking up to be another MESS.

Author

justjess

Date

2008-02-04T10:31:48-06:00

ID

98244

Comment

I thought that melton was asked to stay out of police work. Why was it necessary for him to call a press conference?

Author

justjess

Date

2008-02-04T10:35:04-06:00

ID

98245

Comment

WJTV says that officers, prosecutors and witnesses associated with this case are all receiving death threats.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-04T12:19:58-06:00

ID

98246

Comment

I also heard that several of the witnesses in this case have been killed already. Ain't nothing wrong but, something ain't right.

Author

justjess

Date

2008-02-04T13:02:34-06:00

ID

98247

Comment

Who is WJTV's source? I wonder if Smith got any of those threats directly. And if not, why not? Regardless of the truth about anything here, this does sound like Melton is trying to turn Sharrod Moore into his new Batman, doesn't it? And I agree with Chief Johnson: This could turn out to be another case where certain grandstanding and meddling on the part of certain individuals helps the accused go free.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-02-04T22:38:16-06:00

ID

98248

Comment

Donna, I got the info from their noon report, and although I remember a clip of Smith, I don't remember what he said word for word. I believe he's the source.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-04T22:46:12-06:00

ID

98249

Comment

Maybe this WAPT video will help. WJTV didn't have a link.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-02-04T22:58:30-06:00