Sunday, September 4, 2011

Columbia, TN: Suspect in girlfriend’s slaying had history of abuse

A man police say shot and killed his 35-year-old girlfriend at their Columbia home Thursday had been put on probation for domestic violence against her just five weeks earlier.

Johnny Lee Fleming IV, 37, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the slaying of Tonya May Thompson Thursday evening. He is being held at Maury County Jail with no bond.

Patrol officers responded to 1632 Lindsey Drive just before noon Thursday after receiving reports of a person being shot. Officers discovered Thompson’s body inside the residence, according to a police press release. Police issued a “be on the lookout” alert for Fleming about noon Thursday, but the press release indicates he was taken into custody at the residence.

Thompson and Fleming had a relationship marred by domestic abuse, according to court documents.

Fleming was arrested on May 22 at his glass repair business, Johnny’s Glass at 2534 Pulaski Highway, on a charge of domestic simple assault for threatening Thompson in front of police officers.

Fleming was arrested again at the Lindsey Drive home he shared with Thompson on July 18 for violating his bond conditions after he was found in Thompson’s company.

Kelly Connison with Time for Change Community Services, a batterers’ intervention program, said Fleming was court-ordered to enroll in domestic violence intervention classes at Time for Change after he pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges on July 27 and was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days probation. He was also sentenced to 10 days’ suspended jail time for violating his bond terms and was ordered to forfeit his firearms.

Fleming did not enroll in the required 26-week intervention course. Connison sent a letter on Aug. 23 stating he had until Sept. 6 to enroll in intervention classes to avoid Connison turning his case back over to the judge for failure to comply with a court order.

A no-contact order between Thompson and Fleming was terminated per Thompson’s request.

Ed Holt, a neighbor, said he didn’t know Fleming to be a violent person.

“He never showed that side to me,” Holt said. “I knew they were boyfriend and girlfriend … They seemed like a regular Mr. and Mrs. Joe.”

He added that the couple had been living at the Lindsey Drive residence for about six months after moving from a previous residence in Columbia.

Richard Conn contributed to this report.

2 comments:

Terri said...

Ladies please get out of these situations. There is help call the Hope House for help. They will guide you into the best decisions for your safety. Tonya could deal with him hitting her but never in a million years did she think he would kill her. This is Tonyas mother and we tried to get her to move back home but she told me everything would be alright and she really thought it would. Please get help if you are in this situation. You are worth more than this. And the hope house helps you to independence. It is possible to get out. This is so unnecessary.She didn't deserve this and neither do you

Terri said...

Ladies please remember you are to good for this behavior and so are your kids. You are worth more than this. Don't put up with a man putting you down or putting his hands on you. Reach out to the Hope House for help to get out of this situation or to help your husband to learn new behaviors. You never think it will come down to murder but Tn. is number 5 for men murdering women. Tonya didn't think this would happen either. She loved life and would have tried to keep hers. Nothing will ever be the same without her. Please let this be an example.