Tim Cook, Hixson man who was beaten up by Jerrod Jones in McMinn County Jail, passed away Saturday.
Jerrod Jones, 24, of Athens, Tenn., is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of Timothy Brian Cook.A Hixson man died over the weekend from injuries he received in a beating at the McMinn County Jail and charges against his alleged assailant have been upgraded from assault to murder.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Jerrod Jones, 24, of Athens, Tenn., is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of Timothy Brian Cook, 48.
According to the TBI, Jones and Cook were both in a holding cell in the jail's booking area on Saturday when Jones allegedly assaulted Cook. The victim was taken to a hospital and Jones initially was charged with aggravated assault.
The TBI said 10th Judicial District Attorney Steve Crump asked the agency to investigate.
According to records, Jones was arrested Feb. 17 by the Athens Police Department and charged with aggravated assault, two counts of criminal trespassing, and two counts of shoplifting.
Cook was arrested on the same date by the Athens Police Department and charged with driving under the influence. He was being held on $2,000 bond.
Jones will be represented by a public defender, but one has not been assigned yet.