MS - Jessica Chambers, 19, Panola County, 6 Dec 2014 ; Quinton Tellis Indicted - #13

[cubbeegirl]

U

Insight into how LA victim/recent graduate student & QT crossed paths: she befriended his 7 year old stepson, who had the common hobby of riding bicycles. They have QT @ the victim's apt. shortly before the murder. They also have 3 years to charge him in LA.
So, to be clear, if there is a stepson obviously there is a wife/partner (mother of said stepson) in regards to QT.
Also, it has been much speculated that there was female involvement in JC's murder, in some manner.
Common denominator #1: female presence.
Next, the LA vic was stabbed to death.
Also, JC has been confirmed to have had a gash on the back of her head.
Common denominator #2: cutting the victim.
Next, both crimes have been described numerous times by varying new outlets as having been depicted by LE as being 'extremely personal'.
This is LE jargon for very, very graphic. Consider mutilations, excessive numbers of entry wounds, various 'tools' used in commission of the murder, etc. This is common denominator #3.
The following is a link displaying methods of crimes committed, by sex (from 2015, but for the sake of discussion). Worth noting, women are twice as likely to cut and also twice as likely to use fire in their crimes against persons. Common denominator #4. Just sayin. IMO.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/05/07/poison-is-a-womans-weapon/

http://www.fox13memphis.com/news/ho...louisiana-murder-victim-mandy-hsiao/115592146

I find it a huge coincidence that Tellis married his girlfriend on the very day that the La. Victims body was found....

 

[d4j]

Sad. No news. I will keep checking. This story has haunted me for a long time.. JMO

Well, God bless, there was the joyous news of the indictment just a week ago.
And I get the impression from Therese Apel's Q&A video that the case is very tight.

Maybe there will little--if any--new news; just the trial.
LE has to be tight-lipped.
I am not sure what else to expect at this point, unless there are more indictments.
But it sounds like there will not be.

I have not followed enough cases to know what else one might expect at this point.
Many cases go unsolved and it sounds like this one has been solved.
I am so happy and thankful for that.

But I am haunted too. And we have lots of company.
JMHO

 

[Tugela]

Looks as if he could have been in prison until the mid 2020's if things went correctly?

No, he was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by 5 years of probation, in Feb 2012. That was to run concurrent with an earlier sentence of 5 years from Jan 2010. In other words the full term of his prison sentence would have expired on Feb 2015. Presumably he was released on parole earlier than that.

 

[DexterMorgan]

Idk. 5 years plus the parole violations plus additional crimes with more jail time irregardless of concurrent should still have Kept him in until 2017.

The parole boards need to start being held accountable with felons that they release early after the 1rst time. Jmo.

 

[Tugela]

Unfortunately, it's not exclusive to Mississippi ...its is pretty much everywhere.
I realize the prisons and jails are overcrowded...but it seems there should be a better way to chose who gets to skate on out of there...
i mean, he was already deemed a repeat offender.

I have a friend who got involved with a guy who had been in prison for 20 yrs...turns out for manslaughter, I asked her about it and she said,she doesn't ask questions as its his business and he did his time.
Well , since she has been with him for two years he has been in and out of trouble...it blows my mind...I asked her if he is on parole....
She said, he is on parole and probation...now how the heck does that happen?
Silly me, assumed if you were on parole and got into trouble you would be violating parole...not put on probation....SMH

A sentence will often come in two parts. Firstly there is a period in prison, and then usually followed by a period on probation. Parole happens when the prisoner is released early (before the prison part of the sentence is fully served). For lesser felonies parole is pretty standard.

In this instance (on his last sentence), he was given three years in prison followed by five years on probation. He must have been released early if he is a viable suspect for Chambers murder, and that would have been on parole.

If you commit a crime that is considered moderately serious, you might do all three: prison, then parole, then probation. Usually people don't serve their full sentence in prison. They become eligible for parole are a certain period of time (not sure what the minimum for Mississippi is). They apply for it, and then go before a parole board who then decides if they should get it or not, based on criteria such as good behavior, participation in rehabilitation programs, etc.

Since his previous convictions were for running from a police office and two burglaries, he was probably regarded as relatively low risk if he behaved himself in prison.

 

[Tugela]

Idk. 5 years plus the parole violations plus additional crimes with more jail time irregardless of concurrent should still have Kept him in until 2017.

The parole boards need to start being held accountable with felons that they release early after the 1rst time. Jmo.

The sentences were concurrent, which means he was due for release in Feb 2015 at the latest. He had not started the probation at the time of his last arrest, so that would not have kicked in yet. His original prison sentence for the first burglary would have run out in Jan 2015. He did a plea deal for the second burglary that gave him 3 years from Feb 2012, to run concurrently with earlier sentences.

He probably would have been given parole after serving around two thirds of the sentence, that would have put him out at around early 2014.

In other words the parole board did not do anything wrong, and his treatment is pretty standard.

 

[Tugela]

His DNA should have been in the state database. But DNA alone isn't enough for a conviction. Other evidence has to tie the subject to the crime. Perhaps they did ID his DNA on the car, or item found in or near the car. Since he was an acquaintaince, that wouldn't be enough to charge him because it could have been left behind independent of committing a crime. It might have supplied the lead that directed LE to pursue him further, though. JMO

.
.
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The Mississippi Department of Corrections is authorized, subject to the availability of funds, to secure a biological sample for purposes of DNA identification analysis from every individual convicted of a felony or in its custody before release from or transfer to a state correctional facility or county jail or other detention facility.

Bolded the important bit. I think it was probably one of those initiatives that sounded good to legislators because it gives them good PR with the voters, but they don't fund it since that would entail increasing taxes (and very few legislators will do that, because THAT is not popular with voters). In other words smoke and mirrors to make voters think something is happening when it really isn't.

Most likely all those swabs are taken, but are just sitting rotting in a drawer somewhere because actually analyzing them costs money that doesn't exist.

 

[cubbeegirl]

The sentences were concurrent, which means he was due for release in Feb 2015 at the latest. He had not started the probation at the time of his last arrest, so that would not have kicked in yet. His original prison sentence for the first burglary would have run out in Jan 2015. He did a plea deal for the second burglary that gave him 3 years from Feb 2012, to run concurrently with earlier sentences.

He probably would have been given parole after serving around two thirds of the sentence, that would have put him out at around early 2014.

In other words the parole board did not do anything wrong, and his treatment is pretty standard.

Where I feel it is a travesty is the whole system of someone being sentenced to say 5 years , when in actuality it is known from the start they will never serve that five years ...lts just one big old mess IMO
Just because it is the standard treatment does not mean there is not a huge problem with it.
I see these people posting and talking about getting 5-10 years for instance , and then when they start adding up everything they can do to knock that time down they end up serving hardly any time at all...just seems screwy to me.
Same thing happened with my nieces murderer...

 

[MSCJgrad]

They both, IMO, were crimes of opportunity as much as they were of passion. You are correct, SY, QT and his wife had not lived in LA for long prior to meeting/befriending Mandy, and not much longer before she is deceased & he is admitting to using her debit card (with pin) subsequent to her death.
I am seeing money as being a factor in Mandy's murder. She was an unemployed recent college graduate. This does not 'scream' MONEY to you and I. However, to some, perhaps to the Tellis', she could appear to be doing well-well enough to rob. She lived alone, had a bike. At a minimum she was able to pay her own bills or had family helping her out. Somehow, after crossing paths, the murderer saw an opportunity. Maybe as simple as this sweet young lady was thoughtfully handing out candy to neighborhood children, which could be seen by others as she had money to blow. Who knows.
I'm with you in dubbing this dude a sociopath. He lied to investigators, just as I have seen so many other guilty parties do. Once a liar, you've got a lot of proving to do to win back my trust.
I would LOVE to hear Mrs. Tellis' perspective. I recall at the end of the TA Q&A, TA mentioned wanting to get in touch with QT's family, if they were willing. I wonder how that panned out.

The same article goes on to say:


“Mandy would ride up and down the street. She invited the children in to get some candy one time, and he ] became acquainted with in that manner,” Detective [Duane] Cookson [of the Monroe Police Department] said.

Tellis is a suspect in the murder, but he not charged because police need more physical evidence.

This is so incredibly absurd to me. Not that murder is ever really justified, but...how long + in what capacity could Tellis have really known Mandy? And even Jessica? I mean, I know that there's a lot we don't know for sure, but based on the public information available and comparing dates/times/etc. with what is known about Tellis's time in prison... it makes me think he really didn't know his victims all that well or that long, and that these murders were impulsive, violent, and committed with little forethought.

Subsequently, I suspect Tellis feels very little remorse (if ANY, seriously) and wonder if he's even capable of it if he is indeed truly sociopathic. I am not throwing out that term casually - I mean it in that Tellis may well be a person who truly lacks a conscience. Scary.

 

[MSCJgrad]

U

I find it a huge coincidence that Tellis married his girlfriend on the very day that the La. Victims body was found....

I know, right? WHAT are the chances of that?

 

[leep]

Bolded the important bit. I think it was probably one of those initiatives that sounded good to legislators because it gives them good PR with the voters, but they don't fund it since that would entail increasing taxes (and very few legislators will do that, because THAT is not popular with voters). In other words smoke and mirrors to make voters think something is happening when it really isn't.

Most likely all those swabs are taken, but are just sitting rotting in a drawer somewhere because actually analyzing them costs money that doesn't exist.

But the DNA database is a lifesaver and money should be no object here. It should be funded federally not by individual penny pinching states IMO.
Also it makes LE life a lot easier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[southernyankee]

I find it a huge coincidence that Tellis married his girlfriend on the very day that the La. Victims body was found....

I know, right? WHAT are the chances of that?

Agreed. I know it's possible it's simply a coincidence, but I wonder if the marriage license or any records (or simply a ceremony itself?) corroborate that date, or if the photo/status update was just posted the same day... even as a personal distraction.

August 8th, 2015 was a Saturday, though, and based on my personal experience it certainly seems most weddings are held during weekend days anyway.

Or maybe, you know, events just really did align that way. Karma at work, perhaps?

 

[southernyankee]

I am seeing money as being a factor in Mandy's murder. She was an unemployed recent college graduate. This does not 'scream' MONEY to you and I. However, to some, perhaps to the Tellis', she could appear to be doing well-well enough to rob. She lived alone, had a bike. At a minimum she was able to pay her own bills or had family helping her out. Somehow, after crossing paths, the murderer saw an opportunity. Maybe as simple as this sweet young lady was thoughtfully handing out candy to neighborhood children, which could be seen by others as she had money to blow. Who knows.

I think you're right. A thousand dollars, though? ...it's nothing. I mean, it's not *nothing*, and I understand it can go a long way to someone desperate enough, but... for anyone's life? Jesus. And even thinking more callously, here: how the hell would the reward ever be worth the risk in that? Gaaah. It's all so thoughtless (in my opinion).

Tellis probably did have a gross misunderstanding of Mandy's financial state, but I believe he really didn't think about it too deeply. All surface impressions filled in by imagination: foreign student can afford to go to college here so must have $$$, plus she's giving candy to the kids = trusting/easy target.

I'm with you in dubbing this dude a sociopath. He lied to investigators, just as I have seen so many other guilty parties do.

I can't locate the original source, but I recall reading an article recently about law enforcement interviewing Tellis early on in Jessica's case, and that one of LE's questioners had the impression that "he was interviewing us as much as we were interviewing him" or something to that effect - like, he was trying to suss out what LE knew at the same time. (Is this ringing any bells for anyone else who can find the source? I'll keep trying...)

Anyway, from http://www.wistv.com/story/31302957/27-year-old-man-indicted-for-murder-of-jessica-chambers :

Champion said investigators questioned Tellis during the first month of the investigation.

"Quinton Tellis was a suspect fairly early in this case. We continued to work on this case for quite a long time," Champion explained. "We developed evidence in the fall that really led us to focus pretty seriously on him."

Champion said Tellis and Chambers met through a mutual friend, but he refused to go into detail about their relationship or a possible motive for murder. He cited state laws when asked why would not release a possible motive in Chambers' death

I would LOVE to hear Mrs. Tellis' perspective. I recall at the end of the TA Q&A, TA mentioned wanting to get in touch with QT's family, if they were willing. I wonder how that panned out.

Ahh, me too, and I'm sure at least a few others here may be interested as well, but I wouldn't be shocked if we don't hear much. I noticed that the Fox 13 Memphis news report this week (previously linked) includes this bit, which isn't too surprising:

FOX13 met three of Tellis's family members in Courtland. They didn't want to go on camera, but did tell us they don't think Quinton Tellis is guilty.

They said he was raised in a good environment like any other human being. They also told FOX13 they didn't want to say anything else, for fear it could hurt his case.

 

[Hatfield]

Hello everyone. I have not followed this case too much.

Do I understand it correctly that the person who has the indictment is the same person that may have killed another person? A University of Louisiana Monroe exchange student who is different than Jessica?

Do we know the name of the University of Louisiana Monroe exchange student?

If he is connected to a 2nd murder then LE most likely has the right person.

What a horrible this person is for doing these crimes. All for money I suppose. And so little money like someone else mentioned. Its terrible that these treat life with so little disregard.

 

[Vedder]

Hello everyone. I have not followed this case too much.

Do I understand it correctly that the person who has the indictment is the same person that may have killed another person? A University of Louisiana Monroe exchange student who is different than Jessica?

Do we know the name of the University of Louisiana Monroe exchange student?

If he is connected to a 2nd murder then LE most likely has the right person.

What a horrible this person is for doing these crimes. All for money I suppose. And so little money like someone else mentioned. Its terrible that these treat life with so little disregard.

There is a thread for his other known victim here:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...onroe-LA-9-Aug-2015-Murdered-in-her-apartment

 

[Hatfield]

There is a thread for his other known victim here:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...onroe-LA-9-Aug-2015-Murdered-in-her-apartment

Thank you so much.

 

[MSCJgrad]

"FOX13 first reported Monday that Jessica's keys were found somewhere other than in the burned out car where she was found. They were located a few hundred yards away on the side of the road.

The prosecutor in Louisiana told FOX13 Panola County has DNA in the case. Our sources said the keys could very likely be where that DNA came from."

http://www.fox13memphis.com/news/crime-scene-still-haunts-jessica-chambers-mother/135370972

 

[cubbeegirl]

"FOX13 first reported Monday that Jessica's keys were found somewhere other than in the burned out car where she was found. They were located a few hundred yards away on the side of the road.

The prosecutor in Louisiana told FOX13 Panola County has DNA in the case. Our sources said the keys could very likely be where that DNA came from."

http://www.fox13memphis.com/news/crime-scene-still-haunts-jessica-chambers-mother/135370972

Thanks...was just coming here to post this...and there could be our answer to how they could possibly have DNA !

 

[cubbeegirl]

How romantic ... He married his prison pen pal ...
...@@

https://secure.fox.com/proxy/www.fo...d-man-indicted-for-murder-of-jessica-chambers

 

[DeDee]

In the video below, Theresa Appel asks Michael D. Eubanks --

"That implies that you may know the person that did this. What does that mean normally for you?"

It would be wonderful to know what the unedited version was to which Theresa refers when she says the word That. Also, it would be extremely interesting to know of any connections between MDE and QT, especially on the night of Dec. 6, 2014!

[video]https://youtu.be/h4qHhTuoSHw?t=1m21s[/video]

It has been pointed out earlier in the threasa that MD Eubanks' expresses a grin that body language experts conclude may be "duping delight". jmho

-------

Michael Eubanks, who has lived in Courtland all his life, said the scary part is that if everyone knows Chambers, that means everyone knows the person or people who did this to her.

"There are no words," he said. "I just wish justice would be done on them."

In the <snip> grieving is the ominous feeling that even though the authorities have said the attack was not random, <snip>. People weren't afraid to speculate about the situation, but few people wanted their name involved. To them, there's no telling what could happen next.

"We're actually more cautious. If we see somebody walking, we're watching them walking by the house, looking to see what they're doing," said Eubanks. "If there's someone walking down the road, we're trying to figure it out."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...eing-torched-shocks-small-miss-town/20231709/