Paris, Tenn.–A Paris woman has been indicted by the Henry County Grand Jury on a charge of second-degree murder.
Jennifer Edwards has been held at the Henry County Jail on $350,000 bond since her arrest in September of 2022. She was charged with the death of a man who was severely beaten and died a few days later.
In a press release issued at the time of the arrest, Paris Police Lt. Investigator Jamie James said Paris officers responded to 802 Caledonia St. on September 3, 2022 in reference to an assault that was taking place.
“While on the scene officers found Randy Melton on the back porch of the home and he had been severely beaten,” he said. “Officers determined that Jennifer E. Edwards was the person responsible for the assault and at that time she was placed under arrest for aggravated assault.”
Mr. Melton was transported to the hospital in Henry County and later transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center. Mr. Melton died on September 10, 2022 while at Vanderbilt.
James said, “Through investigations conducted by the Paris Police Department Criminal Investigation Division and the 24th Judicial District Attorney’s Office it was determined that Edwards was responsible for the death of Mr. Melton and on September 16, 2022 the charges was upgraded to Murder (Second Degree) and she is being held at the Henry County Sheriff Department on $350,000 dollar bond.”
The Grand Jury met Monday and issued seven indictments. As we reported Wednesday, one of the other indictments was an indictment on a charge of assault issued on Paris Attorney Mike Ainley. An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation which began August 12, 2022, resulted in the indictment of Ainley.