Chesapeake man stabbed to death

Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 14, 2004

Chesapeake - A Huntington, W.Va., resident has been arrested in connection with the Tuesday murder of a Chesapeake man - the seventh murder or violent death in Lawrence County within a little more than two months.

Jon Wilson, of Lot 2 in the Plumbley Trailer Park at 11183 County Road 1, was found stabbed to death in his home Tuesday at approximately 8:30 a.m.

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office began an investigation with the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, according to information provided by Sheriff Tim Sexton.

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"The victim was located in the living room of the residence with his body partially on a mattress. The scene was found to be in disarray with a large amount of blood at the scene," Sexton said in the written statement. "It does appear the victim died as a result of multiple stab wounds."

Jason Heath Burks of Huntington was arrested by the Huntington Police Department at 10:46 p.m. Tuesday on murder charges. Burks remains incarcerated at the Regional Jail in Barboursville awaiting extradition back to Lawrence County.

Burks confessed to authorities that he was involved in the gruesome crime, according to the sheriff's office.

Huntington Police also assisted in the investigation and provided a lead that helped officers locate clothing worn by the suspect.

Wilson's body will be sent to the Franklin County Coroner in Columbus for an autopsy.

Cynthia France did not know Wilson but has lived in the neighborhood for the past 5 years. France said she was stunned by the incident and has grown increasingly concerned about the dangers facing her and her four children.

"I go to church on the corner and we have prayed so much for this neighborhood. The more we pray, the worse it gets," she said. "We have had drugs, drunks, a drive-by shooting last summer and now this. I don't know what's next."

Law enforcement officials have been swamped with murder and death cases recently.

In August, three people died in an arson fire at the Lyle Motel in Ironton. Roger K. Marshall, of Ironton, has been charged with three counts of murder and 12 counts of arson in connection with that incident and faces the death penalty if convicted.

On Sept. 3, John Turvey of Ellisonville Ridge Road was found dead at his residence. Carlos Jenkins, of Ironton, was charged with murder in connection with that death.

One week later, Tommy Keaton, of Ironton, was arrested for an assault that led to the death of his stepfather, Robert Gore, also of Ironton.

David E. Jones, of 1121 Athalia-Wolf Creek Road, was arrested Sept. 25 and charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Roger Smith, 50, also of Proctorville.