WCBC

March 31st, 2015 by WCBC Radio

WJAC TV is reportiing authorities have charged a fifth person in connection with the September murder of a Bedford County man in Hyndman. Authorities said Krissie Thompson, 43, of Cumberland, Maryland, has been charged with drug delivery in connection with the homicide. Authorities said the allegations stem from Thompson’s involvement in the drug transaction that ultimately led to Jonta Bishop murdering James Deneen Jr. on Sept. 25. Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins said Bishop made arrangements with Thompson on Sept. 24 to purchase marijuana, and Thompson sent Deneen to deliver the marijuana the next day. Higgins said that when Deneen arrived, Bishop shot and killed him. Bishop was charged with first-degree murder, and the commonwealth is seeking the death penalty. Authorities also charged Nickolas Forbes and his mother, Kimberlee Forbes, and Dominick Gillespie with arson, tampering with evidence and other charges for their part in helping to clean up the crime scene, according to police. Thompson was arrested Monday and charged with delivery and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, both felony charges. She is being held in the Bedford County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. “Troopers … have been tirelessly working on this case since the day of the murder and building the case against Thompson,” Higgins said. “While she was not directly involved in the murder, she put the ball in motion that ultimately led to the death of James Deneen, and she will be held accountable.” Thompson’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 8. “There is no evidence to suggest that Thompson knew that Bishop was going to rob and murder Mr. Deneen, Higgins said. “In fact, it is quite likely that had she delivered the marijuana herself, she would have been killed instead of Deneen. But her involvement in the criminal actively that led to Deneen’s murder is clear and cannot be overlooked.”