In the quiet town of Woodbury, Tennessee, a tragic event unfolded on January 14, 2017, resulting in the death of 42-year-old David Wooten. The incident, which took place on Choctaw Drive, also left two women injured. Authorities arriving at the scene discovered Mr. Wooten deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. The two female victims, identified as 19-year-old Elizabeth Clement and 28-year-old Laura Jastre, were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment of their injuries, which were inflicted with a different weapon. Tragically, Ms. Clement later succumbed to her injuries.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into the homicides and the assault. Their efforts led them to identify Robert Jessie Mount as the individual responsible for the violent attack. The investigation revealed that Mount had gone to the residence with the intention of committing a burglary. When a vehicle carrying Wooten, Clement, and Jastre arrived at the home, Mount opened fire on them. Nearly an hour after the attack, the homeowner arrived to find David Wooten deceased in a vehicle.
Following the incident, Mount fled the scene and was later located at his home, hiding under a staircase, after seeking medical treatment for cuts on his hand and leg at a hospital in Smyrna, Tennessee. He was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of First Degree Murder and one count of Attempted First Degree Murder. The surviving victim, Laura Jastre, recovered from her injuries and was able to assist investigators in piecing together the events of that tragic day, even testifying against Mount in court.
In August 2021, Robert Jessie Mount, who was 36 years old at the time of the murders, pleaded guilty to the charges against him. As a result of his guilty plea, he was sentenced to life in prison. Under the terms of his sentence, Mount will not be eligible for parole until he is 88 years old, ensuring he will serve a minimum of 51 years behind bars for the deaths of David Wooten and Elizabeth Clement and the attempted murder of Laura Jastre.
