A grand jury has indicted a man in connection to the December 2014 murder of Mississippi teen Jessica Chambers.
Local 24 has learned Quinton Verdell Tellis is from Chambers’ hometown of Courtland, Mississippi.
It was just a few miles from her home there that Chambers was found set on fire December 6, 2014.
Local 24’s Mary Jo Ola sat down exclusively Tuesday night with Jessica’s mother.
For Lisa Chambers, emotions are running high. She says she’s up and down constantly. And when she got word about the news conference that promises a major development, she says she was excited but doesn’t want her hopes to be crushed.
“I’m mad, I’m angry, I’m sad, I’m depressed. I want that little girl back. There’s nothing I can do to get that little girl back.”
For Lisa Chambers, Wednesday’s news conference is a sign they’re closer to getting justice for her 19 year old.
“Tells me I hope they got the right one or they got somebody or they know something.”
Sources say a grand jury has indicted Quinton Verdell Tellis in connection to the December 2014 murder of Jessica Chambers. Chambers was found engulfed in flames. She later died at a hospital.
Although Tellis is from Courtland, Mississippi, he is currently in a jail more than 200 miles away for an unrelated crime in Monroe, Louisiana. We’re told he moved to Monroe last summer and married.
He was charged with unlawful use of a credit card, a card that belonged to an exchange student who was murdered. Tellis hasn’t been charged in that murder.
Panola County investigators can’t confirm this information but say they will share more information Wednesday.
Panola County Sheriff Dennis Darby said this is the longest he’s been involved in a case like this, and it has taken a toll on investigators.
“I know at the end of the day, when they need to go home and to bed and get rest, they don’t because they’re determined. And, gosh, that gives me energy that I didn’t know I had,” said Darby.
As we wait to hear more details on this major development, Jessica’s mother has strong feelings toward those who took her daughter away.
“You want to PG, I can’t get a PG. They’re evil. They deserve far more than what they did to her,” said Chambers.
We are working with our sister station in Louisiana where Tellis is being held and will continue to keep you updated on this breaking news.
We will have live coverage of the news conference Wednesday on Local 24. You will also be able to watch it here at localmemphis.com
