Published: November 21, 2007 01:07 pm      

Murder case will go to trial

By Kelly Young

news@jacksonvilleprogress.com

A Cherokee County grand jury decided last month that enough evidence existed in the murder of Shelia Gray for the prosecution’s case against Bernie Lucas to move forward to trail.

Lucas was arrested Oct. 13 for allegedly shooting Gray at his residence at 802 Burleson St. in Jacksonville.

According to Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth, the next step in Lucas’ case will be arraignment, where the defendant will enter his plea. Following arraignment, the pretrial process will begin.

Beckworth said he will seek a first-degree murder conviction in the Lucas case. If found guilty, Lucas could be sentenced to between five and 99 years in prison or life imprisonment.

The district attorney’s office is also investigating the murder of James Keon Jordan during a family reunion in August. Jessie Antowan Smith, of Rusk, has been arrested for the crime, however, his indictment is still pending a grand jury.