Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

7:56 a.m. • 5-23-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 83° F
  • Fri: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 74° F
  • Sat: Clear.
    • Hi: 72° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Published: 2004-11-08 06:00:00
Updated: 2004-11-08 06:00:00

Man Charged In 1998 Clayton Murder Case


print friendly

It took six years, but investigators in Clayton just announced an arrest in the town's only unsolved murder.

Police have charged Jonathan Jenkins in connection with the murder of Joseph Vestal Jr. Vestal was found dead at his mobile home on Nov. 2, 1998.

Jenkins was arrested on first-degree murder charges on Friday. Authorities believe Jenkins and another man went into Vestal's mobile home and shot him to death. They believe it may have been a murder-for-hire.

"I want to emphasize that this does not close the case, but it does end a chapter," said Clayton Police Chief Gary Ragland.

Authorities said the break in the case came from people who came forward with information and breakthroughs in DNA technology.

  • Reporter: Gloria Lopez
  • Photographer: David McCorkle
  • Web Editor: Kamal Wallace

0 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments 0 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

View Comments 0 COMMENTS