Man dies over $10
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Matthew Lejuan Scott, 20, was killed Thursday, Sept. 20 over $10.

Scott was allegedly shot in the face by Dale McQueen, 28, of Jasper, after the two argued over the payment of $10 at approximately 10 p.m. in the 1200 block of Hollins Street in Jasper.

"They were arguing over $10," said Det. Mike Poindexter of the Jasper Police Department. "One said the $10 was to buy some pills and the other said it was to pay back a debt that was owed. Matthew was mad because the money was his and he called Dale about the money. He said if he didn't get his money he was going to jump him. Matt ends up at the house and an argument ensues over the $10.

"According to Dale, he said he raised the gun several times and Matt would walk away," Poindexter said. "He said he did it several times and the last time Matt allegedly put his hat backwards and came at him and so he shot him. He called the police and said he just shot a guy but it all stems over ten bucks."

According to Jasper Police records, a 911 call was received in reference to a suspicious person in the 1200 block of Olive Street. The complainant told emergency dispatchers that "he had just shot someone."

911 operators showed the call came from the 1200 block of Hollins. Sgt. Chris Ensign responded to the scene was confronted by a screaming black female running eastbound on Martin Luther King Jr. The female informed Ensign that her cousin was lying dead in the street on Hollins.

Ensign located Scott lying on the north side of the street and saw a black male standing in front of the victim. The man was identified as Tommy Lee Carter, a witness to the incident.

Poindexter said Scott was found with a pair of dice in one hand and a cigarette in the other hand.

Carter told Ensign that the suspect in the shooting was in a house across the street from where Scott was found. A black female, identified as Serena Jane Williams, 28, of Jasper, told police McQueen was not at the residence but was on a cell phone and handed it to Ensign.

The police report indicated that McQueen "sounded very upset and wanted someone to come and get him."

Jasper Police officer Mike Peters and Jasper County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Peltier apprehended McQueen one street over from where the incident took place.

Carter told Ensign he witnessed the shooting. He told police that heard the argument and attempted to come out verbally intervene. Carter told police he saw McQueen raise the shotgun and fired a single shot at Scott, striking him in the face and killing him instantly.

Justice of the Peace Susan Ratcliff pronounced Scott dead at the scene and an autopsy was requested by Jasper Police detectives.

McQueen led police to a location where he discarded of the shotgun at the end of Hollins Street.

"This whole thing stemmed from a ten dollar bill and they could have went out the next day and picked up cans for that amount," Poindexter said.

McQueen was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder.

Poindexter said he would present the case to the next panel of the Jasper County Grand Jury to decide the fate of McQueen.