Homicide suspect tries to escape

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
March 4, 2003
The man charged with murder in the death of two Meridian brothers attempted to escape Monday evening from the Lauderdale County jail.
James Tingle, 75, and John Crump, 59, were found shot to death last Monday in their home at 2419 19th St. Preliminary autopsy reports determined the men died from gunshot wounds to the head.
Jeffry Fairley, 18, of 1930 36th Ave., was charged Friday on two counts of capital murder and motor vehicle theft.
Fairley had been transported to the Meridian Police Department Monday for an unspecified reason. Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said Fairley had been returned to the jail, and was in the booking area about 6 p.m.
Correctional officers allowed Fairley to use the bathroom in the booking area usually used as a shower by incoming prisoners. Sollie said Fairley managed to climb up through the ceiling in the bathroom, but had nowhere to go beyond that point.
Sollie said the episode lasted between 15 and 30 minutes.
Meridian police and firefighters responded to the scene and waited outside the jail to assist if needed.
Sollie said his department and District Attorney Bilbo Mitchell's office will decide whether to add a charge of attempted escape to Fairley's other charges when the case is presented to a grand jury.