In the early morning hours of a Wednesday in June 2014, the life of Anthony 'Tone' Carter, a 47-year-old male, was tragically cut short on a street in Lexington, Kentucky. Carter had moved to Lexington from Michigan just six months prior, filled with hope for a new beginning and the prospect of finding a job to support his seven children, whom he dreamed of bringing to his new home.
His brother had encouraged the move, believing Kentucky offered more opportunities than their home state.
On that fateful morning, around 5:40 a.m., a resident on Chestnut Street was startled by the sound of a gunshot. Stepping outside, they discovered Carter lying in the street. Though he was still breathing when found, he succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the back shortly after arriving at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital at 6:16 a.m. a witness reported seeing an individual riding away from the scene on a bicycle.
The investigation into Carter's death led police to a suspect, Jefferey Charles Morris. Witnesses reported seeing Morris, also known as 'Black Jeff,' in the area before the shooting and claimed that he and Carter had been arguing. According to court documents, Morris later confessed to the shooting. He was arrested in Arizona in November of that year by U.S. marshals.
Morris was indicted on charges of murder and tampering with evidence. During his trial in October 2015, the prosecution and defense presented conflicting accounts of his whereabouts at the time of the murder. Morris's defense attorney argued that he was in Louisville, while the prosecution's witnesses placed him in Lexington. After a three-day trial and several hours of deliberation, the jury found Jefferey Charles Morris not guilty of the murder of Anthony Carter. Carter's family, who described him as a friendly person who enjoyed basketball and watching UK sports, was left to mourn their loss.
