Lejeune-based Marine charged in death of 15-year-old

Jacksonville, N.C. — A 24-year-old Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune was charged on Saturday with first-degree murder in the death of a 15-year-old during a domestic dispute on Weatherington Road in Jacksonville.

According to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Pernell Devon Jones stabbed and shot his estranged girlfriend’s sister during a violent altercation Saturday around 6:30 p.m.

Shermetryce Danilla Grasty, Jones’ estranged girlfriend, called 911 Saturday evening after learning that Jones was on his way to her house. When deputies arrived, they found that Grasty’s sister had been stabbed in the stomach and shot in the chest with a pump shotgun.

The teen was transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital, where she later died. Her name was not released.

Jones, who tried to flee the scene, was arrested a short time later after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a ditch, authorities said.

Jones was being held in the Onslow County jail Monday morning without bond. His first court appearance was scheduled for Monday morning.

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Latest Comments

Statistics prove that after returning from a combat deployment suicide rates increase, domestic violence, alcohol abuse. No not everyone can blame it on military or DOD. For all we know he was never deployed. Although, over my years in I have seen the increase first hand.

jjsmith1973
June 25, 2012 6:41 p.m.

Such a sad tragedy, my prayers and condolences to the family.

DivaD
June 25, 2012 3:01 p.m.

While I do agree that as a Marine he should be held to a higher standard, I most certainly don't agree that being in the military increases the odds of this happening. These terrible tragedies happen everyday among society. Some people in general have no regard for human life and are very selfish. This was a very selfish, hateful act that he committed and he should be severely punished. I just don't agree with everytime someone the military commits a crime, the military gets blamed for it. There are many servicemen and women that are trained the same way and never commit murder. The older sister may should have had a gun to protect herself if she had been threatened in the past. You can't count on police to save you. Prayers to the victim's family.

My Humble Opinion
June 25, 2012 2:32 p.m.

PTSD maybe, if he had been deployed. That however is not an excuse for what he did. He should get his punishment with treatment. The real problem is the type of services provided to returning vets. It is still a very serious and big problem. Suffering myself. I know it causes a person to do things out of character. The services that are available are not great and not easily found out about. I believe the DOD needs to start paying more attention to these issues and some of these horrible things could be avoided.

jjsmith1973
June 25, 2012 1:47 p.m.

My deepest sympathy to the family.