Three months after he allegedly killed a woman in his home, a Sweetwater man has been bound over to the Monroe County grand jury on a first-degree murder charge.
On March 17, Monroe County Sheriff's Officers responded to the call just after 11 p.m. and found Julia Ann Kinsey, 43, Lenoir City, had been shot in the back of the head. Arrested was Michael Dewey Ellington, 45.

"He's claiming self defense in the killing," Monroe County Sheriff's Detective Travis Jones said at the time. "After he shot the victim, he went to a nearby family member's house and told them what had happened and they immediately called authorities."

Jones didn't elaborate on why Ellington was defending himself, but he did say there was no truth to the rumor her throat had also been cut. Jones also said they were considered boyfriend and girlfriend though Kinsey was married.

Jones' warrant on Ellington states Kinsey was shot in the back of the head with a 12-gauge shotgun as she lie on the floor. The weapon and a spent cartridge were found on the floor.
Ellington has been in jail since that night. Jones said Ellington has no prior arrests and no known history of trouble.

Ellington has spent the past three months being evaluated to see if he is competent to stand trial. After it was decided he is, he was sent from Monroe County General Sessions Court to the grand jury.
People in the General Sessions courtroom were asked to vacate the courtroom and be searched for weapons before Ellington was brought in after threats were made against him, but his hearing concluded without incident.

This was the second killing in Monroe County this year. A Madisonville woman was shot and her body found in McMinn County on March 4.

michael.thomason@advocateanddemocrat.com | 442-4575