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What is this?
photo by Hannah Reel
From left, Kevin Nations, coroner James Lee, Adams County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator Ricky Stevens and assistant director of Search and Rescue Everard Baker find a broken cane and cell phone in a wooded area off of LaGrange Road Thursday.
Murder victim likely beaten with cane
Originally published 12:00 a.m., August 14, 2009
Updated 05:15 p.m., August 13, 2009
NATCHEZ — Investigators suspect a botched robbery led to the death of a Natchez man who was apparently beaten to death with his own cane.
When Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on the scene at 87 LaGrange Road Wednesday, they discovered the house’s lone occupant, 61-year-old Clark Felton Jr., lying face up in a puddle of his own blood on the dining room floor, Investigator Maj. Ricky Stevens said.
Felton’s wife, who lives at a separate location, discovered the body, Stevens said.
“She had been trying to call him all day and did not get an answer, so she went over to check on him,” he said.
The deputies responded to the call at approximately 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Photo by Hannah Reel
The cane and cell phone are evidence in the suspected murder of Clark Felton Jr., 61, who was found dead in his home at 87 LaGrange Road Wednesday night.
It was immediately evident that it was a murder scene and not some sort of accident in which the victim had fallen and hit his head, Adams County Coroner James Lee said.
“I never even considered that,” Lee said.
Later, the autopsy revealed that Felton had received sharp trauma to the head, neck and throat and had bled to death.
“It was an awful scene,” Lee said. “I am almost in denial about it, that someone would beat someone like that and leave them to bleed to death.”
Investigators believe the dining room was where the eventually fatal beating took place, and Stevens said based on the state of the blood at the scene it happened sometime Tuesday night.
The murder weapon was not at the scene of the crime, however, and the search for the weapon continued throughout the day Thursday until approximately 3 p.m., when Felton’s cane was discovered broken near the tree line in a wooded area off of LaGrange Road.
“We believe he was beaten with his own cane,” Stevens said. “When we get it to the crime lab we will get it verified.”
A cell phone discovered along with the cane was also determined to belong to the victim, Stevens said
The ACSO has suspects in the case, Stevens said, and the matter is under continued investigation.
Comments
Posted by kaytimac1 (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers go out to the Felton family right now, because this a dejavu of the same tradegy that happened about 15 years ago about this time to his son. And to the person or persons who did it may God have mercy on them. Hope they find them soon.
Posted by hitchcock (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kaytimac1
Are you talking about the skeleton that was found on LaGrange Rd.? That was the incident that they thought was a man that was later found in the chimney on Silver St. I was wondering if they ever found out who it was on LaGrange Rd. Maybe you re talkng about a different incident.
My prayers go out to the Felton family.
Posted by msubulldog (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Update murder weapon found
Posted by gdaddy (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
was he found on the side of the road, in a bayou, in a residence? how long was he amiss? maybe more in the ND tomorrow please!
Posted by goodwitch2008 (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
His wife is my neighbor-they were separated-and I've known them both since I moved to where I stay five years ago (I do not live in Lagrange he visited his wife sometimes) and to answer some questions she says she found him in his house laying his own blood. It should be pointed out that he already was terminally ill and was told he had an X amount of time to live several months ago. He might have just succumbed to the cancer and ended up hitting his head on something in the process.
Posted by naturegirl (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I used to live in LaGrange many years ago, over by the horse arena. I think I remember Mr. Felton from those days. God rest his soul, and my prayers to the family.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Then why would this say murder suspected if he died from cancer?
Huge difference.
Posted by goodwitch2008 (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gottabehappy I'm not going to argue with you. I'm just telling you what I know. Until they do an autopsy I have no other comments. Perhaps you should reread what I said.
Posted by goodwitch2008 (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
edit to my last comment:
I see they added to this article and now say he had damage to other parts of his body. Hmm..
But still. I was just letting people know what was wrong with him.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 11:33 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my God...this is horrible. My heart goes out to the mans family.
Seriously people, what the heck is happening? People killing each other like this...I am in shock.
Posted by mrbobo (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is lagrange a black or a white neighborhood ? I'm just compiling statistical information on the proximity of criminal activity to different cultural environments.
Posted by juju (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 2:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hardcorps, that's not funny! How can you say that?
Posted by consider_reason (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 2:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchez is going to hell in a handbasket.
Anyone notice the HUGE jump in violent crime lately?
Time to arm up folks - this isn't going to get any better -
Posted by gerandall58 (Greg Randall) on August 14, 2009 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well if our judicial system would do something besides putting roof over their head , three square meals a day , and hobby shop for repeat offenders , maybe it would deter some of this stuff , but until they do we are going to see an increase in the crime rate.
Posted by crawgator (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 6:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Scary stuff. I read that someone is doing a statistical report. Do you see a rise in crime in the area and when did it start? My guess would be around summer 2005.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 6:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Me too crawtator...right after Katrina to exact.
oh and goodwitch, I was just saying cancer may be in fact bad but it doesn't BEAT you with a cane.
Posted by rayford (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First let me say that my condolences go out to the Felton family.I worked with Clark in the late 80s.Every day he had a smile and a spring in his step that was an inspiration to his co-workers.To have died the way it is being reported is a sad example of what our society or lack of has come to in this day and age.Secondly to the poster "hardcops". This story should not in any way be connected to whatever axe you have to grind concerning local government.Your comment was heartless,rude,insensitive and downright uncalled for.Your ability to spew nothing but VENOM on nearly every post amazes me.Lastly to the Felton family,I hope you can draw on your Faith to get you through this.This world needed more Clark Feltons in it.Rest in Peace old Friend.
Posted by ntzlvr (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mrbobo is an idiot
Posted by iamamean1 (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Find and beat to death the sorry excuse of a turd that did this.
Posted by iamamean1 (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, hardcorp. I am a mean one iamamean1, but that comment was HARDCORP lol
Posted by peharris (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think some things shouldn't be said. His illness has nothing to do with his death. Why should we provide information that's irrelavant to the case. Learn not to talk so much and listen sometimes and maybe you will get an understanding. It has already been said, that you can asked a person one question and they go on and on, on and on telling you want you asked and didn't ask.
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This sounds like an episode of Forensic Files. Hopefully, forensic evidence will lead to the killer. Was there evidence of a robbery?
Some people are crazy and will do anything for their own means... even in Natchez. What is even more scary is if they don't find out who did this, he or she will probably attack again.
Posted by MotherHen (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a tragedy! I am going to keep them in my prayers.
Posted by peharris (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To: Goodwitch
Have sympathy for Mr. Clark's family. If they wanted people to know he had cancer they would have exposed it themselves. You are one of the main people who go on and on, and on. Let me suggest something to you. 1. Learn to keep your mouth close. 2. Speak when spoken to. 3. Respond to what you are asked and not to what you are told. Now, can you get that? Let me hear you respond to that.
To: Mr Clark's family
You have my smypathy and may God bless each of you. And remember the goodtimes that your family spent with him. Pray and asked GOD to be with you during your time of sorrow.
Posted by bjparker (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and sympathy go out to the Clark family. Such a tragic loss of life.
As for all of you with unnecessary and derogatory comments, please ask yourself these three questions before commenting.
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?
Is it true?
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is such a sad story. I agree with bjparker. We should be kinder to one another.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do have something to say about the picture.....the man has his ungloved hand on the cane! Isn't that detrimental to the case? I mean, they could have lifted fingerprints to determine who perpetuated the crime!!!!!!
Posted by geauxtigers (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why attack an old man? Makes my heart very heavy.
Posted by ladybuggs (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
peharris....having cancer isn't something to be ashamed of !
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I apologize for my stupid comment above. I was in a bad mood about the crime around here and the bos, boa.
Prayers out for this man and his family. I hope they catch the animal who did this.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You sir, are a true man to apologize.
Posted by rayford (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To "hardcorps". Apology Accepted.
Posted by meluvcookies (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kpage... I was thinking the exact same thing concerning the ungloved hand on the cane!! That's a no-no, csi's!!!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm so sad to hear this....
I sure hope they get prints off the cane and phone
someone knew Mr. Felton was alone and vulnerable.....
hope they get this monster, and due to the fact that it was likely premeditated, the criminal animal that did this should get the death penalty, I can see no other punishment to fit this crime, there is no justification for keeping this lowlife in room and board for the rest of his life in prison....anyone that would beat a man to death like this can not be rehabilitated and has nothing to offer to society
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
61 is not really that old....
but since he had a cane the gentleman must have had some disability
there was no mention of a struggle or theft
the suspect either knew of money or other valuables, or had some personal vendetta
either way, he killed Mr. Felton and ran, obviously didn't bring a weapon or he wouldn't have used Mr. Felton's cane, which I guess means that it might not have been premeditated, but an act of opportunity, who knows what motivates a person like that.....obviously he took the phone so Felton couldn't call for help.
I just pray for the Felton family, and hope this mystery is solved quickly, and as I said above
i hope this criminal gets the death penalty for this heinous crime
Posted by msubulldog (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To the photographer there are four people in the photo. The first person on the picture is Keith Nations then James Lee, Ricky Stevens, and Everard Baker. Sad story
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is horrible. It's sad to think of the fear this poor ill man felt. No human deserves to die this way. I hope they find the animal that did this before they kill someone else.
As for (Hardcorps) I too was upset when I read his first comment, but his apology seems sincere.
peharris
I find it much more difficult that this family is exposed to gruesome details of their loved ones death than the fact he had cancer.
Posted by abgrantham (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all I would like to say I'm sorry for this horrible crime that has happened to this man and his family. Second Kpage- I agree with you, I was wondering why he would be holding the cane with his bare hands. That make no sense to me. He is ruining what could be valuable evidence.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To bleed to death has to be one of the most horrible ways to die, that and drowning, so I too hope they get this person or persons that did this to this poor sick man.
Makes you wonder though that had his wife not found him a day later when he would have been found?
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Neglectful parenting from birth causes 90% percent of crimes such as this. Parents must start child raising while they are still in the cradle. Teaching children to respect all others despite their race. It is their most important responsibility towards their children's future. But lacking this no one should turn to murdering others.
Posted by justmyopinion (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
love how the pic shows someone holding the "murder weapon" without gloves on. way to preserve good evidence. oops! didnt mean to smudge that fingerprint!!!!!!
Posted by justmyopinion (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
if he fell and hit his head and died did he take his cane and cell phone out to the edge of the woods to drop them off right before he died? please, common sense please
Posted by harvest1 (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This remind me of "Criminal Minds." Especially Krogers.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ROTFLMAO!!
Posted by goodwitch2008 (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That sucks. I hope they find Mrs.Annie's husband's killer. That's some b.s. man. What's worse, he already was dying from cancer...this is not fair.
Posted by erohed (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Get to know your neighbors. Someone, whether it be a neighbor, friend, etc., should have seen or heard something out of the ordinary.
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on August 16, 2009 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my heart goes out to the felton family.
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