MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Tuesday that the state Grand Jury for Shelby County had returned an indictment of first degree murder against the former Memphis police officer who was charged with killing a woman found shot to death inside her vehicle last September.
Chancy Jones, 38, had initially been charged with second degree murder in the death of Phyllis Malone. However, the investigation continued after Jones’ arrest. Based on evidence gathered during the continuing investigation, the Grand Jury on Tuesday returned an indictment against Jones for first degree murder and employing a firearm during a felony.
According to the affidavit of complaint filed in this case, officers found Malone’s body on September 9, 2008 inside her vehicle parked at a service station on Whitten Road. The medical examiner ruled she died from multiple gunshot wounds. Homicide detectives determined that Malone had been in “a troubled personal relationship” with the defendant. According to the affidavit, Jones admitted to shooting and killing Malone.
Jones is out of jail on a $200,000 bond. An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled. Jones has been terminated from the Memphis Police Department.
First degree murder is a charged covered by the D.A.’s “No Deals” policy on violent crimes. Exceptions are made to the policy for legal or ethical reasons. First degree murder is punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole after 51 years, life in prison without parole, or death.
Assistant District Attorneys Missy Branham and Karen Cook are prosecuting this case. Both are assigned to the D.A.’s Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit. |