FROM: Jody Pickens, District Attorney General, 26th Judicial District RE: District Attorney General
On January 8, 2024, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation began an investigation into the homicide of Matthew Jones at 360 Presley Road in Henderson County, Tennessee. The investigation was led by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Celinda Davidson who was assisted by Investigator Jeremiah Adams of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department.
On October 1, 2024, a Henderson County Grand Jury indicted Deangelo Deondra Hart and Lee Allen Weatherford, for Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, First Degree Murder, Theft Over $2,500, and Felony Murder. Weatherford and Hart were also indicted for being convicted felons in possession of firearms during the killing.
Beginning on August 17, 2026, the State of Tennessee, represented by Assistant District Attorneys General Brad Champine and Justin Prescott, tried Deangelo Hart and Lee Weatherford on the indictment. On August 20, 2026, the jury returned a verdict of guilty as charged as to Lee Weatherford, and a verdict of guilty on Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, Negligent Homicide, Theft, and being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm as to Deangelo Hart.
After a sentencing hearing that immediately followed the guilt/innocence phase, the jury unanimously sentenced Lee Weatherford of Life Without the Possibility of Parole for his First Degree Murder conviction after finding that the murder was committed to frustrate the lawful prosecution of another case. Weatherford is a documented member of the Vice Lords.
Because the Deangelo Hart was member of the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang, the State included a count of the indictment alleging that because Hart committed Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder at the direction of, in association with, or for the benefit of the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang, his sentence should be enhanced. After hearing proof regarding Hart’s gang activities, the jury unanimously found him guilty of violation of the gang sentence enhancement statute. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for both defendants on September 18, 2026.
“Life Without Parole is the punishment that Lee Weatherford earned as result of his decision to murder another human being,” said District Attorney General Jody Pickens. “He will spend the rest of his life pondering his life choices but he will do so in a place where he will be unable to victimize the citizens of Henderson County, Tennessee. Deangelo Hart was not the trigger man in the murder, but he will not escape a lengthy sentence that will ultimately be enhanced because he chose to do the bidding of a group of criminals who care nothing about him. It would have better for all involved if these two had made different life choices, but they did not and now they will have to pay the price. Assistant District Attorneys General Champine and Prescott working with law enforcement made this area safer through their efforts.”
(PHOTO: Deangelo Deondra Hart, left, and Lee Allen Weatherford)
