BRANDON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Prosecutors say the man who admitted to killing a Pelahatchie woman had some help committing the crime. Willie James Washington Jr., murdered Teresa Beal Page at the end of March. Her body was left in a wooded area in rural Rankin County.
It was revealed during a court hearing Tuesday morning that investigators are looking at several others connected to covering up Page's death.
In Rankin County Court Tuesday morning, the state was prepared to present evidence connecting Willie James Washington Jr. to Jean Beal Page's murder. However, Washington who has already confessed to the crime, decided to waive his right to his preliminary hearing.
"His case has now been bound over to await the action of the Rankin County grand jury; we hope to be able to present this to the May meeting of the grand jury," said Michael Guest, the District Attorney for Rankin and Madison Counties.
On March 30th, 55 year-old Page was murdered. Her body was found inside of a shallow grave near a trailer in Rankin County. Page's car was also burned. Washington confessed to killing Page by hitting her in the face with a concrete block.
"There was alcohol use that night there was drug use that night there was an altercation that began between the two and that altercation lead to the death of Ms. Page," said Guest.
During Tuesday's hearing, Domini Jean Reeder was also charged in connection to Page's murder. Guest said, "She was not involved in the death of Ms. Page but she did help Mr. Washington cover up the crime by helping him move the body and helping him dispose of the body in the shallow grave."
In addition to Washington and Reeder, Amanda Crawford is also tied in connection with the crime. Crawford was originally charged as an accessory to the murder. However, she's now only charged with tampering with physical evidence.
"The purse of Ms. Page was found at her residence, she had taken the purse, she was at the residence when Ms. Page was killed, she claimed she was unaware Ms. Page had been killed because she had passed out as a result of drug and alcohol use," said Guest.
Guest said the Rankin County Sheriff's Department is looking at two others who could be involved in helping Washington with the crime. He said if there are any additional people charged, it would happen within the next week.
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