Saturday, December 5, 2009

Harlan County, KY: Man is accused of killing his girlfriend

A Harlan County man is behind bars Friday afternoon after being charged with the murder of his girlfriend.
Posted: 4:23 PM Dec 4, 2009
Reporter: Ashley Reynold
Email Address: ashley.reynolds@wymtnews.com
Man is accused of killing his girlfriend - Ashley Reynolds Reports

Police say he shot and killed his girlfriend and left the body in her home.
A Harlan County man is now in jail facing murder charges.

This case is being investigated by the Evarts Police Department, the Harlan County Sheriff's office and Kentucky State Police.

After a week of gathering evidence... Billy Joe Middleton is now charged with the murder of Polly Jones.

Ernest Vanover lives right next to Polly Jones.

"It's sad it's really sad... I can't believe someone would kill that poor woman.... I really can't," said Vanover.

Vanover says Jones kept to herself and lived in the home for more than one year.

"I lived right beside her...she never came to my house...and never asked for nothing," said Vanover.

Police say Billy Joe Middleton shot and killed his girlfriend more than a week ago and left her body in the house.

"The people in this area they are a tight community.... they pay attention to things," said Evarts Police Chief, Lupe Blas.

Neighbors actually tipped off police.
After several days of not seeing Jones, folks that live nearby contacted officials to check on her.
That's when they found her body.
Police say it was there for a few days.

"This case that happened here is a really sad thing...to the community it is like...how could it happen here?" said Blas.

Police say Middleton and Jones have a history of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a problem not only in Kentucky, but in the United States it is something we take seriously," said Harlan County Sheriff Marvin Lipfird.

Police say cases like these are a top priority.

Middleton is being held in the Harlan Detention Center on a one million dollar bond.

Police say his case will most likely go to the grand jury.

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