Teresa Deion Smith Harris
Convicted
Stacy Dewayne Ramsey
Walter Steve Smothers
Teresa Deion Smith Harris
I cannot find any photos of Dennis or either of the other 2 defendants. If anyone has any to share, please let me know. Thanks!
Stacy Dewayne Ramsey court opinion
Teresa Deion Smith Harris appeal
Ramsey appeal 1996
Harris 1999 appeal
To Have, But Not To Hold
Tim and Deion
Tim’s blog about Deion (Be prepared, the focus is on Deion and what a bad life she had, but seeming to forget that she made her choices and she chose to be involved in this crime. If she really did not participate or was afraid of Walter, she should have gone to the police. After all, a human being was killed during this crime. It appears she will never take responsibility for her participation and the fact that she is just as responsible for Dennis being murdered. Stop making excuses and justifications for her!)
Joy Behar Blog: Prison Wives (read the comments as some are very good – some from Dennis’ loved ones as well as Teresa’s daughter. And for the record, the comment from “Bonnie” is not me! Her second sentence is great however! Teresa’s husband, Tim McDonald also responded and sounds as if he thinks that her family’s pain is just as important as the victim’s family. WRONG. At least she is still alive, able to marry, see and talk to family, etc. What about Dennis’ family????)
Books
Death on a Dark Highway: The Murder of Dennis Brooks, Jr. (Volume 1)
Movies/Documentaries
Prison Wives: Tim McDonald (This episode is NOT about the murder but about the “love story” between Teresa Deion Smith Harris [one of the convicted killers] and her husband, Tim McDonald. From the commercials, it is glamorizing these people in prison and their relationships, but basically ignoring that some of the inmates are in for murder. They will not (in my opinion) be showing any sympathy or compassion towards the victims or their families. In fact, will they even talk to them? Why are they trying to get sympathy for murderers?
Dear Bonnie,
Thanks for putting this together!
I must admit a morbid fascination with Tim and Deion after seeing him on Larry King Live.
I did not know what she had done.
After reading all that you pulled together I have come to the conclusion that she is where she should be. Yes, she had a tough upbringing but so did many (including myself). It is not that she was broken and now she is better. Even if that is the case, she committed a heinous crime or was an accomplish to one and it was done to keep from being caught. The law is pretty clear on the punishment for that. Either death of life without parole. Her only choices are between those two. In addition, I really do not see that she has accepted her own guilt or even expresses proper remorse. Some of her writing like references to herself as “the queen” are really disturbing. She is a narcissist IMHO, or certainly displaying the symptoms of narcissistic victimization syndrome. Tim…well he is a whole other story. He is weird. Having a little cot and buying a use prison sink/toilet to live like she does. Well, what can I say. He seems fascinated in a voyeuristic way about the minute details of her sexual encounters. He appears to be using her for sexual titillation, retaliation against his family by embarrassing them, and as her narcissistic counterpart. After all he is like g-d to her. I admit I find all crime stuff fascinating. Maybe he does too, just to the worst possible degree!!! Its their life so it isn’t my business. But since they put it all out there I guess we can all weigh in. The real victims here are Dennis Brooks’ family. i can’t imaging having to have him and all the attention he brings hanging around their small hometown every day! Maybe Larry should do a show on people who have to put up with situations like that! I have to admit I got a bit of satisfaction when I read how Walter Smothers got to her trial and pulled a fast one on her! He wanted to go for a ride. She must have thought she was going to get off the hook. That would be the really hard thing. To have hope. then have it dashed. As a mother of 5 I have no sympathy for a killer who would maim, defile and then wear my kids hat and glasses to a bar! No, she is right where she belongs and always will be.
Thanks again for your exhaustive research. It certainly gave a far different picture then the Larry King show!
Best roberta
By: Roberta on March 9, 2010
at 3:18 pm
I feel this a a sweet love story and I am pleased that Deion and Tim has found each other.
By: a. adams on March 13, 2010
at 1:39 pm
What about Dennis Brooks Jr.? Anything about the person who is the most important part of this? The vicim? Who did not deserve what happened to him? Who experienced a heinous and uncalled for death? Any compassion for him or just for the person who helped to kill him?
By: mylifeofcrime on March 13, 2010
at 10:12 pm
I knew Dennis. He was a year older than me. I remember exactly when my grandfather told me that Dennis had been killed. I just knew my grandfather had him confused with the young, super sweet Dennis Brooks that I knew. I still live in Huntingdon. My opinion is that if she knows what she did is wrong and she knows how bad it was then she should continue to accept responsibility as others have to. She may have had a bad childhood (mine wasn’t much different from hers) and she may have been afraid that night but it doesn’t make what she did any less wrong. The only reason she didn’t get the death penalty was because Mr. Brooks (Dennis Sr.) asked the court not to kill her too. So she shouldn’t be given yet another chance. Dennis wasn’t given that chance
By: Laura Green on January 24, 2012
at 11:54 am
I have to say I am very interested in crime stories and forensic science as well. I feel very sad for the family of Dennis Brooks Jr., but I also feel for the family of Teresa Harris as well…Neither family raised children to lose them in such a horrific way..I believe that Teresa was young and unaware how deep she had gotten herself in at the time..I feel for her and her children as well..and I do believe she has and is learning her lesson everyday for the rest of her life…Her husband is very weird. I think him enjoying getting a rise out of the locals for lving there is mean. He has to remember why his wife is where she is in the first place, and not think of her as a victem…but a young stupid girl who followed people and took part in a horrible crime.
Gina NJ
By: Gina Fowler on March 15, 2010
at 4:51 pm
I think Deion did show remorse in her episode over what happened. And to be honest if I had to choose to do what I was told or be killed I’m not sure what I would do in that situation. I feel bad for the Brook’s family because of their loss but I don’t think he was the only victim that night. I think Dieon was a victim of sorts too. She deserved to do time but I’m not sure a life sentence without parole was the way to go.
By: Jane on April 1, 2010
at 2:12 pm
I saw the show. Keep her in prison forever. She initiated the 1st crime. Any crime that occurs after the 1st crime is hers too.
By: dave on May 4, 2010
at 7:39 pm
HOW TRUE…. Ive seen Tim campaining on every show to get her out but i have to search to find out what she actually being accused of…. your on to something because she initiated the 1st crime, she is responsible for the domino effect it caused…. she did get in way over her head & regaurdless of her upbringing at 22 you know right & wrong…. i feel horrible for everyone involved… ESPECIALLY THE VICTIM HE WAS A CHILD & DIED TRYING TO HELP SOMEONE… & she is guilty of flagging down dennis. but also remember she did go to the police & she will be getting old soon. so i am not for or against her getting out.
By: BRANDY C on May 26, 2011
at 7:36 am
Read the book “Death On A Dark Highway”. I am from Huntingdon and I knew Dennis. He was a year older than me. He was a super nice young man. I knew the whole story before I read the book. I knew at the age of 18. I really do think the book will help you form your own opinion. After reading the book I think she was at the wrong place, wrong time, with the wrong people (or person) but STILL MADE ALL OF THE WRONG CHOICES. I knew all of them and I still think she should stay in jail for what she did.
By: Laura Green on January 24, 2012
at 12:05 pm
I just watched the program.Everyone has remorse when they are behind bars.And that’s where this lady belongs.I cried watching this.Pretending to take this young man to a hospital to do the what you all did to him.And I still can’t get over kissing his brain,OMG ya’ll all are animals.She should have thought about her kids before doing this.I hope you die in prison.Maybe your airforce husband can get a mail order bride from Russia or somewhere.Cause u aint getting out of prison.
I feel so sad for Dennis brooks family.
GOD BLESS!!!
By: Theresa on May 4, 2010
at 7:48 pm
Theresa – actually it was the heart that they kissed.
I watched the show too and I have a huge problem with Deion that I noticed. She kept referring to the victim, Dennis Brooks Jr., as “the boy” but NEVER by name. It was very unremorseful and as if he was not important at all. And it seemed so disrespectful that she kept calling Dennis, who was 19 years old and NOT a boy, the boy. I am satisfied that she is where she belongs and should stay there.
By: mylifeofcrime on May 5, 2010
at 7:53 am
After watching “Women Behind Bars”: This is a very sad case and many victims. Maybe Carroll County should take a lesson from Dennis Brooks’ father and be merciful.
I grew up in Carroll County and knew the parties involved personally. There is a tendency to sweep things under the rug, especially troubled youth. When I lived in Carroll County, you didn’t get community support unless you were the star athlete or the child of a prominent citizen.
None of us know what happened and what the motivation was but in order to heal from this crime we must bring the whole truth out in the open. After viewing “Women Behind Bars” can there be any doubt who the “ring leader” was? Walter Smother basically admitted that he “thought about” killing others on the night of Dennis Brooks’ murder. Did anyone pay attention when he said, “I was hoping that the deputy sheriff would pull us over because I would have had to kill him too!”. He also admitted to telling Stacy Ramsey how to dismember the body, “you’ve skinned a deer, haven’t you?”
In my opinion, Teresa Deion Harris and Stacy Ramsey do bear some responsibility but haven’t they served enough time? I think so especially after hearing the cold, calculating words of Walter Smothers.
On a side note, Shirley Nanney’s interview was embarrassing! When I lived in Carroll County she was the social/ gossip reporter and I would be very interested in her journalistic credentials.
By: Janet, Memphis, TN on May 5, 2010
at 2:11 pm
Janet,
It does not bother you that Deion has no compassion or empathy for the victim, Dennis Brooks Jr, who she would not even name? Who she kept calling “the boy”. A man she kept calling a boy but NEVER by his name?
By: mylifeofcrime on May 5, 2010
at 2:34 pm
Deion is much older now than she was back then and when she thinks about Dennis she probably remembers him as a boy. I don’t think calling him “the boy” constitutes a lack of compassion or empathy for him as a person. I think Janet made some good points in her comments and although I didn’t catch the “Women Behind Bars” show the other night I hope it reruns so that I can watch as I felt the Prison Wives show was high on the drama factor and low on the facts factor for the most part in her episode.
By: Jane on May 5, 2010
at 6:22 pm
Please keep this murderess in Prison FOREVER. Everyone keeps saying that she didn’t deserve Life in Prison… did the victim deserve to die? Who cares about this heartless killer… she’s right where she belongs…I have no sympathy for anyone who takes it upon themselves to take another person’s life…..what about Mr. Brooks? He never got to get married, have a family… Her family can still come visit her, hug her….The victim’s family can’t do that.. everyone is placing such a big emphasis on her..WHO CARES.. I HOPE SHE ROTS IN HELL WHERE SHE BELONGS… Death penalty would have been better for this killer.. Her weirdo husband needs to be medicated… no wonder your family disowned you, I would too…who in their right mind marries a convicted felon? without parole? Are you that desperate ??? uggh..this sickens me..Ms. Harris, I hope that everyday you think about what you did for the rest of your life and I hope that this continues to haunt you for the rest of your pathetic, sad, lonely, drugged up, crack head life.. you sicken me….
By: Anjali on May 7, 2010
at 6:27 pm
I live in the area and remember the crime well. I got this book about it the other day and it’s really good, but gruesome.
By: M Carter on May 15, 2010
at 7:07 am
Shirley embarrassing? She’s one of the finest people I know and I don’t think she has a thing to prove regarding her writing ability. She has a bit of an accent, and her pronunciation may be more Southern than absolutely correct, but she is a fine Southern lady and a multi-award winning journalist.
By: Debo on May 15, 2010
at 8:39 am
I will have to agree with Debo. Ms. Nanney has won several state writing awards, as has that Chandler fellow who wrote the Death on a Dark Highway book about the Brooks murder. He was on that television program and he talks funny too.
By: M Carter on May 15, 2010
at 1:23 pm
After reading back on all of the comments here it amazes me how people will post comments thinking they have all of the facts. Just like one saying they’d kissed the victim’s “brain” when it was the heart. Etc., etc. etc. Deion was not the killer of Dennis Brooks, Jr., it was Walter Smothers. Nor did Deion participate in the mutilation although Stacy did. Deion was guilty of being present, that’s it. She has not only paid her debt to society but has expressed heartfelt guilt & remorse for this crime. Yes, she was young & frightened out of her mind at the time & she has grown up. But those who state she’s not shown/said any remorse don’t know their facts. She has expressed remorse numerous times both verbally & in writting. She does NOT deserve to be in prison for the rest of her life without parole. I ask you all, why is it the Son of Sam, Charles Manson & his followers/killers, & numerous other true killers come up for parole yet Deion Harris cannot & she did not commit the crime? This is not justice & the state of TN needs to set this woman free for time served. Walter Smothers? HE deserved the death penalty & nothing less but TN gave HIM the plea bargain. What’s wrong with that picture I ask you?? I would personally rather have Deion Harris living next door to me as a free woman than the Son of Sam or Charles Manson! You never know when they’ll make parole!!
By: ny bred on May 17, 2010
at 7:45 pm
The two evil persons you mentioned, they were sentenced before LWOP sentences were created. Maybe you don’t realize it, but Charles Manson WAS sentenced to death at first. And to hear many say it, he never killed anyone directly (but that is not really true). However, Deion was present at the murder. It is called felony murder. She participated. If she was so innocent, she should have talked right away when she was in custody, but she did not. And in watching her on TV, I just don’t believe all of what she says. She tries to distances herself, especially from the victim. You know, if she would even refer to the victim BY NAME, showing that she knows he was a person, a human being, then I might have more sympathy for her.
By: mylifeofcrime on May 17, 2010
at 9:19 pm
Death on a Dark Highway is a good book. But it made me think about how there is true evil living among us. I think they should all three stay in prison until they die. Why would you feel sorry for someone who willing participated in a horrific murder? I believe they all were willing to do anything. They treated Dennis as though he were nothing. He was a young man with a lifetime ahead of him. He is missed everyday. They should suffer everyday for the rest of their lives.
By: Judy on June 16, 2010
at 9:28 am
Judy,
I have not read the book yet, but plan to.
By: mylifeofcrime on June 16, 2010
at 12:12 pm
To everyone,
Deion has served her time. First of all, she never killed anyone.. she was just there. She says in “Women Behind Bars” that she never Walter Smothers would kill her and Stacy Ramsey if they refused to go along with his “plan.” It also says in the episode that Walter Smothers wrote a letter to Deion stating that she was innocent and she never killed anyone. Life without the possibiltiy of parole?? Come one!! Carroll County is a crock of bullshit.. They close their eyes to anything that would show how crazy Carroll County is..I pray that she gets out!!
By: Audumn Barmer of Memphis on June 18, 2010
at 2:54 pm
Hey dummy, it wasn’t “Walter Smother’s Plan” it was the plan they all three had. Do you actually think she stood out there while the other two stood behind the truck with a shotgun and didn’t know what they intended to do? You’d have to be an idiot–though, after reading your comments that’s not too far fetched.
Terese Harris was the nexus of the whole situation. Without her, there would have been no trip to find and whip and old boyfriend. As the DA said, she was the “General” and Smothers and Ramsey were her subordinates. She caused it all, every moment of suffering that came after that night. She was the mother of that grief and it has come back to revisit her and will for eternity.
I happen to know the guy who wrote that book, “Death on a Dark Highway.” He’s a good reporter, or now retired reporter. Nobody could buy him off or get him to change his story for money or anything else. He always “told it like it is” and it didn’t matter if people (and BIG people) liked it or not. He was never afraid of anybody and I suspect he’s not now.
Carroll County may be a crock, but you lady are a bigger CROCK! Get real, you fool. You know nothing of what you speak.
By: Cecil on June 21, 2010
at 3:09 pm
Ignorance…. plain & simple on this blog. People claiming they know the facts… they know the reporter(s). Ok… have you read the trial transcripts? Did you also know that when TBI showed up at Deion’s door that day they told her she probably wouldn’t even be arrested? She told them then in exchange for keeping Walter away from her everything that happened & repeatedly expressed her fear of Smothers. When a state gives a defendant a divorce atty to represent someone in a FMR post conviction the atty must be either corrupt or ignorant for agreeing to take the case! Totally unqualified!!!
And yes, I am VERY familiar with the Felony Murder Rule…. a 16th Century law that’s been deemed unconstitutional in the majority of our states now! As well I am very familiar with Charles Manson’s case & the original Death sentence. Until you’ve walked in Deion’s shoes, until you’ve read the transcripts…. don’t show your complete ignorance!
Remember people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones…..
By: NY Bred on June 25, 2010
at 12:12 am
The person murdered is the only victim here.
By: Tracey on June 25, 2010
at 10:06 am
Yes, I read the transcripts. I read everything I could on the case, talked to more than one family, and absorbed all of it. Just because she SAID something on “Women Behind Bars” doesn’t make it true. Why would people take the word of a convicted murderer? Also, the police have the right to lie as long as it isn’t outright coercion. Pretty effective technique, isn’t it? Good thing she’ll never walk free again.
By: JB on July 1, 2010
at 9:24 am
Funniest thing is all these reporters, Shirley & the old guy who wrote the book recently, they’ve not once met, spoken to or written to Deion yet they claim they know her so well. Odd don’t you think? Not once in 17 yrs have they even attempted to speak with this woman yet they write so freely of her. A professional would’ve made an attempt at least to interview her or get her side.
Ineffective councel not once but twice! No closing arguments on her behalf @ trail due to the prosecutor & defense atty being in cahots with one another & at post conviction they appoint a divorce atty to a felony murder conviction…. Only in the south would this happen & under a centuries old law that’s been deemed unconstitutional!!!!
Even the killer, Smothers, admitted he lied at trial to save himself from frying! That he seriously thought about killing not only the poor Cop chasing him, but Stacy & Deion as well. Would you have argued with some manic weilding a shotgun who just murdered someone in front of you? I think not. People can’t see past the nose on their face. What a shame.
http://www.freedeionharris.com
http://www.freedeion.com
By: NY Bred on July 2, 2010
at 7:00 am
Deemed unconstitutional in how many states? 4?
By: jb on July 2, 2010
at 10:58 am
To what end would one want to interview Deion Harris at this point? To become a cheerleader on the “free Deion” train? Certainly, she’s going to say exactly what she said on the “Women Behind Bars” segment and try to convince everyone that she played no active role in the murder of young Mr. Brooks. She went along with it because she feared Walter Smothers.
Sure, she did. That’s why she was out partying with him at Casey’s the evening after the killing, wearing the victim’s Memphis Tigers ball cap. “Bopping around a little more than usual,” according to the bartender. Happy as a lark.
Had she been afraid of Smothers and wanted to get away from him, she could have announced it there in that bar of drunk good ol’ boys. She could have ‘fessed up to what he had forced her to do right then and her claims would have rung a bit more true. Fact is, she had many chances to get away from Smothers had that been her desire. It wasn’t.
Of course, she had no idea what was about to happen when she flagged the victim’s pickup that early morning. The idea that something violent might take place wasn’t prompted at all by the fact that her two cohorts were hidden behind the disabled truck and armed with a shotgun. That’s a hell of a way to merely flag down assistance and, granted, while she might not be the brightest bulb in the array, she surely could put two and two together; that’s if you totally ignore Smothers’ contention that they had discussed hijacking the next passing vehicle and the likelihood that they would probably have to kill the unfortunate driver. I think that plan came from Smothers more than the others, however.
I have no doubt that she now has remorse for what happen; that happens to many people who wind up in her current predicament (although Smothers would be an obvious exception). And it’s probably sincere. She didn’t set out that evening to kill Dennis Brooks, Jr., although she did go hunting for Mr. Hampton and with a shotgun in the vehicle. Who knows what would have happened had he been found? Maybe both Hampton and Brooks would be dead now.
This “old guy” makes no claim to knowing any of the three or wishing to know them. All I know is what transpired in court, what was said by all participants. My only purpose in writing a book about the case was to put all that into one compact form. I had no interest in digging into the depths of their souls or writing about their past misfortunes, the things some apologist like NY Bred would probably blame for finding them in their sorry situation.
Indeed, if any of the trio deserves perhaps a second look it might be Stacy Ramsey. He might actually have a valid claim of being fearful of Smothers to the point of going along with anything; if you don’t know how that is, you’ll have to read my book. I will say there is little doubt in my mind that he was actually threatened by an armed Smothers and there are witnesses and facts to support that–although nobody, neither lawyers nor officers, picked up on that oddity at the time.
That’s my one and final comment on this matter in this forum, despite what I know will be another round of foolishness from that well-bred New Yorker. This old guy doesn’t have time to waste with such posers.
By: Jim Chandler on July 4, 2010
at 7:12 am
Poser is right. I think that is really Tim MacDonald writing those comments defending Deion. I was a nurse at the Tennessee Prison for Women for several years and knew Deion. She was a very manipulative, cunning young woman. She did behave herself and stayed out of trouble, but nonetheless, she was not a paragon of virtue. I was working there when she met up with, and married Mr. MacDonald. She had no problem yack yacking about “this old guy is so in love with me, and he has lots of money and is going to get me outta here”. What Tim doesn’t know is about all the OTHER letters Deion received from men she wrote and bragged about to anyone within earshot. And he doesn’t know about the little escapades she has been involved in with some of the male correctional officers at that prison.
By: Lisa Nurse on January 3, 2012
at 11:16 pm
To respond to the person who asked rather or not it bothered me that Deion supposedly didn’t show remorse, she has shown remorse but people only acknowledge what they want to acknowledge. Do you know Deion? Have you talked with her? Did you grow up with her and see the frightened girl who was fighting to stay alive? Enough said!
As for Shirley Nanney, I spoke on the phone with her shortly after Women Behind Bars aired and the newspaper that she works for refused to publish my editorial comments. I have an opinion about Ms. Nanney that has nothing to do with her Southern Accent but her obvious bias. Do you call that responsible journalism?
Jim Chandler is an opportunist who is profiting from this unforunate situation.
To Cecil who called the poster “dummy”! How old are you?
By: Janet, Memphis, TN on August 11, 2010
at 7:00 am
Teresa harris is evil and needs to stay locked up. all she had to do was make a phone call even an anonymous one. and she didnt do it. evil begets evil.
By: jay on October 4, 2010
at 9:45 pm
oh bla bla bla!!! Every1 feels sorry 4 this heartless BITCH!!!I say fry the bitch and feed her to the pigs!She is a waste of space and does not deserve to breath the same air as Mr.Brooks family.She is a waste of taxpaers money.She made a statement that she works in prison and sends money to her kids???? No it is the taxpayers money that pays all of it you stupid bitch!!! How much can it be anyway? We all know what prison jobs pay inmates!!! KILL THE BITCH AND SAVE A BUCK!!
By: carla on December 13, 2010
at 6:35 am
Janet (or should I say Susan?) I haven’t made made minimum wage for the many hours I put in on the book. So how am I an opportunist?
You, lady, are full of shit.
By: Jim Chandler on January 9, 2011
at 1:16 pm
After reading several blogs about Teresa Deion Harris, and watching the Prison Wives episode, I am going to buy the book by Jim Chandler from Amazon when I leave here. From everything he has said, it is clear he went into the project of writing this book with an unbiased opinion, and I have a feeling there is more to this story than what was showcased on television, particularly after reading that Deion was with Smothers the night after the murder, partying in the victim’s hat. Any sympathy that I might have had for her, which was scarce to begin with, has evaporated. If she truly feared for her life, she wouldn’t have flaunted the sad victim in this story. What disturbs me more than anything about this whole situation is that Tim McDonald moved to the town Deion grew up in and seems to enjoy taunting the townspeople, and the victim’s family, with his vile presence. This was a brutal crime, people are suffering, and he’s in their faces with it all the time. I’ve seen many blogs where he’s spouting off about his wonderful wife, and that she is the greatest woman to ever come out of Huntingdon. It turned my stomach. I have a feeling that if Deion ever got out of prison, he would only further taunt the locals by parading his wife around town. That is, of course, if she’d even remain with him which, I’m guessing, she wouldn’t. The man’s perverse views about this entire situation is disgusting. There are a lot of people in this world who grew up in less than fortunate circumstances, who do not participate in killing a 19 y/o kid, cutting his heart out and then kissing the thing. That’s as perverted as Tim McDonald, and his almost morbid fascination with his wife’s sexual exploits prior to prison. His warped views and attitude about what his wife was a part of, and constantly shoving his presence and his opinions down the victim’s family’s and locals throats is about as low as someone can get. Shut up already. The way I see it, you’re only making everything worse.
By: gypsy on February 16, 2011
at 7:28 am
I seen that on tv today and I gotta say that Tim Mcdonald is just as evil as she is..he had a beautiful wife and kids and left them all for what?? the scum of the earth!!! why do they even have internet in prison?? we all have to pay for our internet provider..people in Tn dont want him there, throwing bricks through the windows..Teresa whinning, she is just as guilty as the other people involved in this murder, I think they should all fry what they did is pure evil!!! theres plenty of us whos a hard life and I do mean a very hard life but you dont see us out killing…Tim needs to quit saying shes mother of the year, just fry them all and give that boys family some peace and closeure….Tim your scum too!!!
By: dawn on March 8, 2011
at 4:20 pm
right??? lets convict them then pay for them to have luxuries…..
By: BRANDY C on May 26, 2011
at 7:43 am
They don’t have luxuries. I worked there at her prison. Yes, she is evil and needs to stay locked up. But, they don’t have anything more than the bare necessities. There is no cable TV like people seem to think. The inmates can have a specific sized TV in their room that they or their family must purchase with a specific type antenna that allows them to watch network shows only. They also must purchase a specific type set of earphones because they are not allowed to have the TV on speaker. That’s about as luxurious as it gets. Any toiletries, even deodorant and sanitary napkins, must be purchased by the inmate from the commissary with money family or friends put into their account, If they have no money in their account they go without. That’s why the inmates marry people on the outside! It’s a way to get money put into their account! It’s a way to sucker some nutjob like Tim MacDonald, or some pitiful person who’s lonely, into doing their manipulating for them with the “free world”. They can manipulate the spouse into hiring a lawyer and work on their appeals, etc. When the spouse runs out of money or just can’t afford to send/spend anymore the inmates will divorce them and find someone else. Happens all the time. I’ve seen this happen many times. Very, very rarely do you see inmates writing and marrying someone who is also an inmate in a prison. Why? Because inmates don’t have any money!!! Except for their meager commissary money, they have no other money! Prison jobs pay less than $1.00/hour for most jobs.
Deion is never going to get out of prison. She will suck Tim MacDonald dry of every cent he has. If he ever runs out of money, she will drop him like a hot tamale. If he wants to test her love for him, he should try an experiment and tell her he’s no longer able to afford to give her money and pay for her legal battle. She will play pitiful and try to “suggest” he could sell his house, valuables, whatever to raise funds. If he refuses to do that, she’ll start slowly writing him less and less, start making excuses for not having scheduled visits with him, start calling him less and less, and then one day he’ll get a notice that she is filing for a divorce. Happens all the time. DO NOT get romantically involved with an incarcerated person! These people are in prison for a REASON. They are not there because they were singing too loud in church…
By: Lisa Nurse on January 3, 2012
at 11:50 pm
My opinion, is that had Deoin never met Mr. Smothers she would have never have been involved in this horrific incident. I believe she did fear for her life that night, Walter Smothers himself admitted that had they not “participated” he would of killed Deoin and Stacey too. What would you have done? Run? He would of chased you and shot you in the back? Go against a man like Mr. Smothers? I dont think so… I am not saying that Deoin didnt deserve any time to serve at all, for what its worth she did say get me away from Walter and I will tell you everything. This women is no threat to society, come on. Walter is the psychopath who should be behind bars for this crime. Deoin doesnt deserve life in prison. Not even close. I would of been terrified in her position and I am not sure if I wouldnt of done the same thing, in other words act like Im going along with it all to save my own life…walter made it clear he was actually thinking of killing them had they not “participated” over and over again… I sincerely feel for Dennis Brooks Jr family and they got Walter in jail for the killing but Deoin being in prison for life is so not right!!!
By: AIMEE on March 25, 2011
at 2:36 pm
I watched the episode and I too believe that Deion Harris never showed true remorse over the crime. I feel like she has convinced herself and is attempting convice others that she was as much of a victim as Dennis Brooks Jr. She wasn’t. She may be in prison but she’s still alive. Why shouldn’t she be in prison for life? This wasn’t a non-violent crime. She may have not pulled the trigger but she’s the one who flagged down Dennis and so she chose to participate in that crime. Even her husband said that she chose to let Dennis be killed to save her own life. Well, her life was saved but she has to spend it in prison. Until she stops playing the victim of this I just will not have much sympathy for her.
By: Jim D. on March 31, 2011
at 1:28 pm
Aimee – the woman went to a bar the next night and partied wearing the victim’s hat. That just seems to tell me she was boasting about it. She didn’t tell the police ‘get me away from him and I’ll tell you everything’ until the police confronted her first. Were she really scared for her life, she might have made some excuse after the murder to get away from Smothers and go to the police. Such as running to the store for a pack of cigarettes. Anything. She didn’t do it that night or the entire next day. Instead, she puts on Dennis Brooks hat and goes out bar hopping with this guy she’s supposedly terrified of. She’ll say anything to distance herself from this hideous crime. Now. And Jim D. is right. She shows no remorse. Nor does she deserve any sympathy. If that were your brother whose heart she sucked the blood from, your opinion would probably be a little different.
By: gypsy on March 31, 2011
at 8:24 pm
how true!
By: BRANDY C on May 26, 2011
at 7:40 am
maybe she was still acting and waiting for the right time to tell the police???????
By: BRANDY C on May 26, 2011
at 7:41 am
The only thing for which Deion is remorseful is that she is spending the rest of her life in prison. She wants out of prison and that’s all.
By: Lisa Nurse on January 3, 2012
at 11:57 pm
I can’t believe people want to free that psychopathic bitch. She is evil. She lured that poor boy to his death. She should be hanged and even that would be too good for her. It makes me sick to even look at her. That victim card she is playing is sickening. She shows no remorse and she will burn in hell for what she has done.
By: KathyT on May 23, 2011
at 12:03 pm
I know this you want to see good in all but she is not good and I hope she never will see a free day and she should die not be free!
By: marcie on May 23, 2011
at 11:10 pm
The old opportunist would like to announce that the Kindle price of Death on a Dark Highway has been reduced. Get it while it’s hot.
By: Jim Chandler on June 9, 2011
at 2:58 pm
Jim, I would like to say that one… I have read your book. Two… on Jan. 9th you left a post on here stating “Janet” or “Susan”… the person you were replying to is an old friend of Deion’s & yes, Janet. I will tell you this. I not only know Deion personally, have read the majority of her trial transcripts, spent hours face to face speaking with her, but I am also the very proud Fiance’ of Stacy’s & I have obtained & read every single shread of paper connected to his side of this case. I tried in vain repeatedly to get you to meet with me over 6 months ago however you refused. For some strange reason, you do not want to hear any other side of the story other than the lies Walter has admitted he’s told & you continue to remain extremely bias when it comes to this case. Furthermore, if Deion & Stacy’s lives were not in danger on that horrible night, why then did a witness testify that he heard Walter yell at Stacy that if he “moved the G.D. truck he’d blow his head off”? There is no doubt whatsoever that Walter held them both at gunpoint & once he murdered Dennis, they knew they were both next. There was no plot or plan of what they were going to do – unless of course, you believe Walter’s version. When the truck broke down Stacy was under the hood trying to find out why the truck had broken down & there was no hiding anywhere except by Walter when Dennis stopped. I too feel great sympathy for the Brooks family, I cannot even imagine what they have gone through. I have also visited Dennis’ grave a few times & I must admit, they have sadly turned this into a spectacle of sorts & I was shocked by the gravesite! One final thought for you Mr. Chandler.. did you also know that Walter could vomit on demand? (you know what this is about & how it concerns the case)
By: sdrbabe on August 6, 2011
at 1:56 pm
Please remember, the focus here should be on Dennis, the victim who was murdered, and remember his life and that he lived and was loved. His life was cut short and he did not get to live a full life. This was not his fault and he did not deserve it at all.
By: mylifeofcrime on August 6, 2011
at 4:35 pm
There was no place for Stacy to hide except by Walter? Why did Stacy have to hide at all? If Stacy was not planning on helping Walter and the gang murder the victim, why did he have to go hide when Dennis pulled up and stopped? If Stacy was simply looking under the hood trying to determine what was wrong with the truck, why didn’t he just continue to do what he was doing? I mean, you stated there was no plan that Stacy or Deion were aware of prior to Dennis Brooks stopping, right? If Stacy had no idea of what Walter was about to do, he would have had no reason to go hide. How much money have you spent on Stacy thus far? Oh, and your opinion of Dennis Brooks’ gravesite is not in the least important. I’m sure no one cares what you think about it.
By: Lisa Nurse on January 4, 2012
at 12:24 am