From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
CLAY –In a statement released on Friday by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, more details have emerged in the shooting death of a Clay mother on Thursday. Among the details, the suspect, Jeremy Conway Hardin, 39 ,allegedly told deputies that he shot the victim, Jody Marie Watson, 38, from behind while she was in the kitchen of the Yellowhammer Drive home. There was also a history of reports of domestic violence at the residence, the latest coming just about one month ago.
Jodie Watson was shot and killed at a home in Clay.
Photo via Facebook
Just before 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, a male suspect called 911 and reported that he had shot his girlfriend, according to the statement. At about the same time a second 911 call was received from a neighbor who reported that two children had come to their house and asked them to call for help because their mother had been shot.
Deputies arrived to find Watson dead on the scene. The male suspect, Hardin, remained on the scene and surrendered to deputies without incident.
Detectives learned that the victim had been in the kitchen of the residence when Hardin walked up behind her and shot her. Watson’s three children lived at the residence with her. The two youngest were home at the time of the shooting. They were not harmed, but witnessed what occurred. They ran to a neighbor’s home for help.
As of Friday afternoon, the coroner had not yet determined the cause of death.
Hardin told detectives that there had been a history of arguing and fighting between him and the victim and he just wanted it to stop. He was arrested for murder. He posted a $50,000 bond and was released just after midnight.
Jeremy Conway Hardin of Clay was booked into the Jefferson County jail on the charge of murder and was released on a $50,000 bond.
Photo via JCSO
Formal charges are expected later today.
Sheriff’s Office records indicate that deputies have responded to the address on three prior occasions to investigate reports of domestic violence. The most recent occurrence was on March 9, 2016. Watson claimed to be the victim of domestic violence at the hands of Hardin, but declined to seek prosecution.
32 Comments
Diane Massey Minton
Unbelievably Sad~
Myra Hill
Prayers for the family
Kyle Hannah
“Watson claimed to be the victim of domestic violence at the hands of Hardin, but declined to seek prosecution.”
Ladies, if you are in a similar situation, please file charges and protect yourself.
As for this animal, time to fire up ol’ sparky.
Tina England
And he got bail
Leia Windham
He shot her in the back, called cops, waited on them and admitted it! Then made bail. And people wonder why there is so much crime!
Edwina Glass Williams
Takes a big man to shoot a woman in the back while children watch! geez! And then Post bail!
Amanda Rains
“He just wanted it (violence and arguing) to stop”
Then shoot yourself! Leave! Breakup with her!
But instead you shoot a mother of 3 children.
And he gets bail What the hell.
Stacie Riddle Morton
Why did this asshole get bail? Seriously?!?!? He abused her and then killed her!! How is this even justified?!?
Tracy Earwood Davis
This is so heartbreaking. Jeremy Hardin was in the year ahead of me @ HTHS. Prayers for the children and family of the victim.
Hal Yeager
HE ain’t NO man!
Kimberley Brown Aids
I read an article that said the home was his…he could have made her leave…anything but kill her
Edwina Glass Williams
Exactly!
Brianna Elaine
This is my cousin and I’ve seen things like this before but it really is surreal when it’s your family
Brianna Elaine
Lisa Barnes
Brianna Elaine
Moma tell Nana there is an article
Banita Brooks
So sad… Ladies we need to learn to walk away. Praying for those innocent babies
Jessie Odell
I hope and pray he gets the death penalty and preferably the gas chamber.
Rhonda Webb
I hope he isn’t living back on our street
Georgie Rowan Allen
WOW in the back? What a coward! So sad breaks my heart
Vicky Watson Elrod
Sorry coward.
Donna Newsome
Why didn’t he just shoot himself and save those children the grief and save us taxpayers the money for his life in prison stay ? What a coward !
Karen Allen
Why in the hell would you release someone on bond that confessed of shooting a mother in front of her kids?!
Carolyn Voyles Weems
Why is he out on bond ? He will run like the coward he is . It is a lowlife person that would shoot a woman in the back in front of her kids. Prayers for her family and children.
Buster Joe Baker
He may plead guilty and be walking the street in less than 15 years, maybe less than ten.
Sheila Johnson Sutton
Levert Jackson
Cowardly thug
Kelly L Gadson
Karma is a …….
Mark Ellsworth
That’s hard to believe shot her in the back kids watching and out on bail.but on the other hand maybe he will use this time to hang his self. Save the taxpayers some money.
Chris Clark
Why is this fella out walking the street? I could be wrong but didn’t he call and report the whole thing. I am not for jumping to conclusions before knowing all the fact but damn if he admitted to it?
Kathy Mercon
Thoe most dangerous time for the victim of domestic violence is when they leave the abuser….that’s usually when they end up dead. I wonder if she had told him tthat she was going to leave him….this is so sad for the children. I read that there was a 13 yr old in school at the time….think of him going through his day…like any other day….and losing his mom.
Amanda Rains
Yes, a thug is right.
Jeff Burke
He better hope I don’t recognize him while out free on bail.