MEDFORD, Ore. – An emotional Jeffrey Wheeler speaks out for the first time as he is sentenced for murdering his ex-girlfriend. Wheeler was sentenced to life in prison for killing Jessica Bethany in September 2011. A judge handed down that sentence in Jackson County Court earlier Monday afternoon. In November, Jeffrey Wheeler pleaded guilty to … Continue reading »
Jeffery Wheeler Pleads Guilty
MEDFORD, Ore. – A man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and trying to set her apartment on fire is now pleading guilty. Jeffrey Wheeler changed his plea in court Friday and admitted to killing Jessica Bethany in September 2011. Wheeler could end up spending the rest of his life in prison. It’s been 15 months … Continue reading »
Domestic Violence On The Rise In Southern Oregon
Community Works has called 2011 the worst year they have seen for domestic violence in the Rogue Valley. So far, 2012 has not seen a break in this current unfortunate trend. In 2011, four cases and eight victims died in Jackson County since January. In November, Makaila Upton was killed in a domestic dispute, police say … Continue reading »
Jessica Bethany Remembered
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — Hundreds of people are remembering a Central Point woman found murdered one week ago. About 400 people attended a vigil for Jessica Bethany in Central Point on Saturday night. Police say Bethany was killed a week ago by her ex boyfriend, Jeffery Wayne Wheeler, who is in Jackson County Jail on … Continue reading »
Employers Remember Jessica Bethany
MEDFORD, Ore. — A small memorial for Jessica Bethany sits outside Howiee’s On Front. One memento now sits on top of the bar. Owner Howiee Hawkins says Jessica worked for him for six years and just like that, she’s gone. “I feel like I’ve lost a daughter,” Hawkins exclaims. “She had the sweetest little baby, … Continue reading »
The Murder of Jessica Bethany
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — A 911 came in early Sunday morning. Police said the call reported a “deceased female.” Officers were quickly dispatched to an apartment complex on the 700 block of East Pine Street and inside Init 5 is where 32-year-old Jessica Starr Bethany was found dead. Police said her death seemed suspicious and … Continue reading »
