James Lee Coon Jr., a 19-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, tragically lost his life on January 22, 1995. The events leading to his death began when he was last seen leaving a Jacksonville hospital. His red Honda Civic was discovered abandoned behind a convenience store the following day. This discovery prompted a missing persons report and initiated an investigation into his disappearance.
The investigation revealed that James Lee Coon Jr.
had been kidnapped, robbed, and murdered by Pressley Alston and his half-brother, Dilianjan Ellison. According to court documents, Alston and Ellison had planned to rob Coon. They approached him outside the hospital and forced him to drive to a remote location on Heckscher Drive. There, they searched his car and took approximately $80-$100 from his wallet. When others approached the scene, they drove off to another location where they ultimately shot and killed Coon.
The case took a significant turn when Gwenetta Faye McIntyre, who was residing with Alston at the time, became suspicious of his involvement in Coon's disappearance. McIntyre noticed Alston's unusual behavior and his possession of her .32 revolver. Her suspicions grew when Alston asked her how long it would take for a body to decompose and for fingerprints to rub off a bullet. McIntyre confided in her minister, who then contacted the sheriff's department. Based on the information provided by McIntyre and the discovery of the .32 revolver in her home, police arrested Alston and Ellison.
Pressley Alston was subsequently convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and armed kidnapping. He was sentenced to death for his crimes, while Ellison's involvement also led to legal consequences. The trial and subsequent appeals highlighted the brutal nature of the crime and the calculated actions of Alston and Ellison. The case remains a somber reminder of the tragic loss of a young life and the impact of violent crime on the community.
