Michael S. Askew, age 52, a convicted felon from Jasper County, could be on his way back to Jones County as soon as Monday to face charges of murder for the death of 82-year-old Betty Dickerson. She lived on Shady Lane just north of the Laurel city limits. Her body was discovered by her son on Monday, Feb. 17. He then alerted authorities.
The suspect appeared before a Nashville, Tenn., judge today and waived extradition. He could be back in Jones County early next week.
“We will take it as we do all homicide cases, step by step,” stated Jones County DA Tony Buckley Friday morning in a joint press conference with Sheriff Joe Berlin. Buckley also noted that evidence has been collected and sent to the State Crime Lab. Buckley’s office will ask that bond for Askew be denied when he has his initial appearance before a judge here.
Berlin started the press conference by thanking all the agencies involved, which included divisions from his office, the DA’s office, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and the US Marshals.
“This was a very heinous crime,” said the sheriff. “It saddens me to know that the person involved in this crime was a known offender that knew the victim. It was not just a person traveling through. My department is praying for the family, and we hope that you get closure on this case.”
Askew was apprehended by US Marshals in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday evening, after he fled Mississippi. The victim’s car was also recovered in Tennessee.
Law enforcement officials have said that a knife was used in the murder, but they have not confirmed that any weapons have been recovered so far.
“We’re still working on this,” added Berlin.