Case against Clayton Nelson, accused of murdering father goes to grand jury
JACKSON, Tenn.– Jackson City Court Judge Blake Anderson rules the case against Clayton Nelson, accused of brutally beating and murdering his own father in July, will head to the Madison County grand jury. This decision coming after investigators and his own sister took the stand during his preliminary hearing, Thursday. Nelson sat face-to-face with his sister, who did not want to be identified, as she recalled the type of relationship between her father and brother. “There was a great relationship between them, my dad cared deeply for my brother,” she said. Police say it was a call of concern from Clayton back in July that sent them to Jeffrey Nelson’s west Jackson duplex. Police found him fatally beaten. “He had blunt force trauma to his skull as well as a gaping large avulsion to his neck which was partial decapitation,” said Rita McCoy, an employee at the Madison County medical examiner’s office. At the time of his father’s death, Clayton lived next door. His sister said that made their father uncomfortable. “[He] Double checked all the locks on the doors, checking all the different entrances to the house anytime we came in and out of the home.” she said. Investigators believe a bloody shoe print links Nelson to the crime scene. “Based off the wear impression of the footprint and based off the size and make, I believe the shoe worn was the same shoe that made the footprint in blood at the crime scene,” said Investigator Marvin Robish with the Jackson Police Department. Investigators say Nelson admitted to having a cocaine addiction and they believe it could have been a catalyst in the deadly attack. Nelson’s next court appearance is scheduled for December. He faces an unrelated count of felony theft for allegedly stealing a TV from his neighbors home.
