Murder suspect Michael S. Askew, age 52, was denied bond by Judge Grant Hedgepeth during his initial appearance in Jones County Justice Court on Tuesday, February 25.
Hedgepeth stated that the reasons for denying bond were due to the charge being a capital offense and that Askew was a flight risk and a risk to the community. The charges against Askew were upgraded to capital murder for the death of 82-year-old Betty Dickerson prior to Askew making his initial appearance.
Askew said his last place of residence was 60 Ainsworth Drive in Bay Springs, but prior to his arrest he was homeless and stayed wherever he could. He said he had previously worked in chicken houses but had not worked in several months. According to lead Investigator Stephen Graeser with the Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Askew is a convicted felon from Jasper County. He was out on parole from MDOC when he allegedly committed the murder.
Attorney Jeannene Pacific with the Jones County Public Defender’s Office told the judge that she would notify Andre DeGruy with the State Public Defense Office in Jackson of Askew’s need for a capital murder public defender to represent him.
Dickerson lived on Shady Lane just north of the Laurel city limits. Her body was discovered by her son on Monday, Feb. 17. Askew was apprehended in Nashville, Tenn., along with Dickerson’s stolen vehicle on Wednesday evening, February 19.