• Publication: The Red and Black (University of Georgia student newspaper)
• Author: Gary Peeples, Staff Writer
• Original Publication Date: Thursday, July 9, 1992

Athens-Clarke County police are investigating the connection of three men to Jennifer Stone’s death after they were arrested for selling two cameras that were taken from her apartment at the time of her death.

The three sold the cameras on the street and are being charged with theft by receiving/disposing, which Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Ronald Chandler described as trying to get rid of something that was stolen.

Arrested were Ernest Brown Jr., 29, of 139 N. Newton St., Apt. C, Athens; Donald R. Wilson, 32, no address; and Larry Darnell Brown, 34, no address.

Brown was arrested July 1, Wilson on July 2 and Brown on July 7.

Chandler said DNA and hair samples, along with fingerprints from these men, will be sent to the state crime lab in Atlanta to be compared with samples taken from the crime scene.

Police found the cameras while conducting drug searches in two nearby apartments. One was found by in Athens by local police, the other was discovered by Oglethorpe County police during a similar search. Police would not reveal exact addresses.

Oglethorpe County officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

The residents of the discovery sites are not being viewed as suspects since it is believed they purchased the cameras, but did not take them Bureau Chief David Camp of the Athens-Clarke County police department said. The buyers’ identities were not revealed.

He said the cameras will be sent to the state crime lab.

The recovery of Stone’s cameras has given Athens-Clarke County police a more positive outlook concerning the case.

“The finding of the cameras is a major break in the case,” said Bureau Chief David Camp of the Athens-Clarke County police department.

“The cameras were removed from Stone’s residence, and it’s a direct link to her residence,” Chandler said. “We feel very positive about this information, and we see it possibly leading to an end.”

Both Chandler and Camp refused to say if there was anything else missing from Stone’s apartment that might lead police to a suspect, so as not to hinder the investigation.

[Photo caption] Jennifer Stone (File)