On a summer morning in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a devastating event unfolded that would forever alter the lives of a local family. Charlene Rebecca Neal Jewell, a 57-year-old Caucasian woman, was fatally shot on July 23, 2020, during what should have been a routine drive. Remembered as an adventurous spirit with a contagious love for life, her sudden and violent death sent shockwaves through her community.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Charlene was an employee of Sodexo USA in Jonesboro and was known for her outgoing and caring personality.
The tragic incident occurred while Charlene and her husband, David Dale Jewell Sr., were taking his adult son to work at Arkansas State University. An argument broke out between the couple during the car ride, escalating to a fatal point. In the heat of the moment, David Sr. produced a. 25-caliber pistol. The weapon discharged, and a single bullet struck Charlene in the back. Despite being rushed to St. Bernards Medical Center, her injuries proved to be mortal, and she succumbed to the gunshot wound.
In the immediate aftermath, David Dale Jewell Sr. was taken into custody and subsequently charged with first-degree murder. His initial claim was that the shooting had been a tragic accident. However, the evidence presented during his trial painted a different picture. Testimony from his son, who was a witness to the unfolding tragedy in the vehicle, and a coworker who had overheard the argument on a phone call, contradicted the claim of an accidental discharge.
The legal proceedings concluded with a guilty verdict for David Dale Jewell Sr. The jury found him responsible for the murder of his wife, and he was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the crime. An additional five-year enhancement was added to his sentence due to the use of a firearm in the commission of the offense, resulting in a total of 32 years of incarceration to be served consecutively. Charlene's life was tragically cut short, leaving behind her son, her daughter, her mother, and three grandchildren to mourn her profound loss.
