Athens: New accomplice named in Beene slaying

ATHENS, Tenn. — Another man than one named earlier Friday now is being called the accomplice in the Jan. 29 fatal shooting of businessman Jeff Beene.

Late Friday, the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that charges of first-degree murder and burglary against Jeffrey Doyle Coleman will be taken to the grand jury Tuesday.

According to the release, Mr. Coleman has admitted that he was the second of two men at Plastic Industries when Mr. Beene confronted burglars in the building.

Daniel Lankey, 30, already has been charged with first-degree murder and felony murder in the case.

Mr. Coleman was already in custody in McMinn County on other charges and was among people interviewed about the slaying, authorities said.

See Saturday’s Times Free Press for complete coverage.