Dugger expected to plead guilty

By Sonny Turner
sonny@athensnews-courier.com

February 08, 2007 04:30 pm

— Police say Melissa Jarrett and Andy Dugger were lovers when Jarrett’s husband, Shane Jarrett, was ambushed and killed in early 2002 when he returned home from a bogus wrecker service call.
Since that time, Melissa Jarrett and the shooter, Chad Reece, both of Athens, have entered guilty pleas and are now serving life sentences in prison for Jarrett’s murder.
Next week, Dugger, 34, who is in the Limestone County Jail without bond, is also expected to plead guilty when his case comes up for trial in Limestone County Circuit Court.
“We do expect him to enter a plea,” said Limestone County District Attorney Kristi Valls. “His case is set for Feb. 8.”
Athens police detectives said Melissa Jarrett and Dugger hired Reece to shoot and kill Jarrett. Police said the two had carried on an affair and wanted Jarrett dead.
Jarrett was shot when he walked down the hallway of his Wheeler Street mobile home. His wife was inside the trailer at the time and claimed to be asleep. She told investigators she had no idea an intruder was inside her home.
Dugger and Reece were later arrested by police. Police say it was Dugger who confessed that Mrs. Jarrett was also involved.
Ever since the Jan. 27, 2002 shooting, Dugger has been in a two-man cell.
A Limestone County grand jury handed down eight indictments involving capital murder against Reece, Dugger and Jarrett.
Jarrett was indicted on two counts — one for capital murder for hire and another charging her with capital murder for pecuniary gain. Dugger and Reece were indicted on three counts each of capital murder, capital murder for hire and burglary. Reece and Dugger both entered guilty pleas to murder.
At the time of his death, Jarrett, 27, was the owner and operator of Jarrett’s Wrecker Service.
In addition to Dugger, Valls said Joshua Loyd Southwick, 25, of Michigan, is also expected to plead guilty to murder on Feb. 8.
Valls said Southwick was one of two men hired by Ardmore resident Mark Anthony Angus in 2003 to kill Elkmont resident Michael Bryant.
Angus was acquitted during his trial in Limestone County in August.
Southwick and James Mason Duncan, of Arkansas, are awaiting trial.
They are accused of entering a mobile home just north of Sandlin Road killing Bryant, execution style. At the time, Bryant’s girlfriend and members of her family were inside the home.
At the time of their arrests 15 days after the murder, authorities said Duncan and Southwick told investigators that Angus hired them to kill Bryant. Angus and Bryant worked together, police said.