Document text
40 °F 5 Day Forecast Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 30, 2003 Jackson County sheriff�s deputies on Saturday comb the scene of a homicide at a Phoenix mobile home park. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Murder charged in shooting Three suspects arrested in apparent robbery gone bad, deputies say By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Investigators arrested three people on murder charges Saturday in the shooting death of a man in a trailer park on the outskirts of Phoenix. The body of Jose Velasco, 34, was discovered at his home in space 59 in Coleman Creek Estates, 135 Fern Valley Road, at about 2:45 a.m. Saturday by a roommate, who had just gotten home. He called 9-1-1. Officials activated the county’s multi-agency major assault and death investigation team. Sheriff’s Capt. Joe Puckett said investigators spent the day following multiple leads and had suspects in custody by Saturday evening. William Ray Miskell, 26, was arrested on an aggravated murder charge. Jennifer Deetee James, 23, was arrested on a felony murder charge. Investigators found them staying at a local motel. Christopher Scott Bailey, 19, was arrested at his home in Medford on a charge of felony murder. All were lodged in Jackson County Jail without bail. Puckett credited teamwork with making short work of the case. The multi-agency team included investigators from the sheriff’s office, police departments in Medford, Talent, Ashland and Central Point, and the Oregon State Police. Advertisement "When all those investigators come together, we are able to be in so many places at once talking to people," he said. Emergency crews from the Medford Fire Department, Mercy Flights, Phoenix police and the sheriff’s office responded to the initial 9-1-1 call, Puckett said. Upon arriving at the home, they pronounced Velasco dead of a gunshot wound. Neighbors at Coleman Creek Estates said investigators started knocking on doors at about 4:30 a.m. About 12 hours later, several of the closest neighbors still knew little about the death or the ongoing investigation that nearly blocked the narrow road winding between aging mobile homes. Next door, John Saldana said he heard yelling in the early morning hours. Emergency vehicles arrived a short while later, "and they’ve been here ever since," he said, when disturbed while trying to catch up on his sleep Saturday afternoon. Investigators already had most pieces of the puzzle in place and were interviewing suspects in custody by 5 p.m., Puckett said. They discovered that James, who hung out with Velasco, was at his home Friday night. He wanted to take their relationship to another level, but she was offended by his romantic advances, Puckett said. She left his trailer and went to a party, where she met up with her friends Miskell and Bailey. Investigators claim that she put together a plan to rob Velasco of drugs and money she thought he had, then enlisted the help of the two men. The three went to Velasco’s home, intending to rob him. "That goes awry," Puckett said. "It gets out of hand and turns aggressive." In the melee, Miskell shot Velasco with a handgun, Puckett said. Neighbors said Velasco had moved into the park only a month or so ago. They said he was quiet, and they didn’t know much about him. Puckett said Velasco worked at El Caporal Mexican Restaurant on South Riverside Avenue in Medford. His mother and brother live in the Talent area. Conger-Morris Funeral Directors is handling arrangements. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times