Published: November 20, 2008 03:28 pm            

MURDER WEAPON FOUND, POLICE BELIEVE

In fatal stabbing at local nightclub

A knife police believe was used in the fatal stabbing of a Live Oak woman has been recovered from a dumpster at a local business, Det. Sgt. Ron Shaw of the Live Oak Police Department said Thursday.

Elizabeth Jones, 31, was stabbed to death in the parking lot of Illusions, a non-alcoholic nightclub in the Suwannee County Mall, early Saturday morning.

Charged with second-degree murder in the incident were Lace (pronounced Lacey) Laronda Jelks, 23, of 1733 Long Ave., and Kelli Sue Coulter, 22, of 615 N.W. Second St., both of Live Oak.

Shaw said a tip led police to a dumpster outside a nearby business where a folding pocketknife was found. The knife, which has a four-inch blade, was sent to a forensics lab for testing, Shaw said.

According to police reports, Jones and Jelks had an altercation inside the club while dancing. The two reportedly bumped into each other a number times, after which a fight broke out between them and both were asked to leave.

Jones reportedly confronted Jelks as she was getting into a vehicle in the parking lot shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday.

A fight ensued involving Jones, Jelks and Coulter, the vehicle's driver.

Jones suffered seven stab wounds and died at Shands Live Oak, according to Shaw.

There was no apparent motive for the crime, according to Shaw.

"It just got out of hand," said Shaw. "It was just a case of same two people kept bumping into one another. I'm sure by looking there was too many people inside (the club) to begin with."

"It's a senseless act," said Shaw. "You've got two young people who are going to be affected by this for the rest of their lives."

        

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