Two face murder charge in fatal stabbing

Published 4:04 am Tuesday, September 1, 2015

    Two people have been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in Meridian Sunday.

    Meridian resident Early Jones, 66, was found stabbed in a home in the 500 block of 41st Avenue around 7 a.m. Sunday. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died, Meridian Police Department Detective Dareall Thompson said.

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    Eric Levon Palmer, 35, of Jackson, is charged with capital murder. Suzanne Michelle Bell, 28, of Meridian, is charged with capital murder and accessory to armed robbery.

    Both are in custody in the Lauderdale County Detention Facility. Palmer’s bond has been set at $1 million. Bell’s bond is $500,000. Both are scheduled to appear for an initial hearing on Thursday.

    John Nelson, a retired Meridian police detective, was Jones’ friend. Nelson said Jones was the “type of person who would reach out to help anyone.”

    “I can’t understand why good people have to be killed in this manner,” Nelson said. “It is a sad day for me and those that knew Early because he was so well liked and loved around this community. He was just a good man who believed in God.”