By BOB GIBBINS
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS
May 09, 2008 12:34 pm
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Cherokee County prosecutors will present their case against a Rose man charged in a murder-fore-hire scheme later this month.
Special District Judge Holli Pursley set a May 28 preliminary hearing starting at 9 a.m. for Earl Thomas Jones, 58.
County and state investigators arrested Jones last week at the sheriff’s office after investigating allegations he wanted to hire a hit man to kill his wife, Carol Jones. The “hit man” contacted law enforcement and recorded conversations he had with Jones.
The alleged plot involved payment of $50,000 in life insurance proceeds to George Shankle, a neighbor sought out by Jones to kill Carol Jones, the wife. Jones allegedly told Shankle that Carol was “too controlling,” and that he was “sick” of her.
Cherokee County Undersheriff Jason Chennault and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Shawn Ward are the lead investigators in the case.
Jones, who is being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center without bond, is represented by local attorney Park Medearis. Assistant District Attorney David Pierce is prosecuting the case.
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