ST. GEORGE -- The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office investigation into the death of Harry Jones last week is far from over, according to Maj. Mike Turner. Even though the five men arrested in the murder are thought to be those directly responsible in the beating death, Turner said that there could be others with knowledge of the crime and perhaps more arrests.

Jones' body was found floating in Paradise Pond, a popular local fishing spot in Harleyville last Wednesday morning, and detectives determined that he had been beaten to death at his home on Dogwood Lane and then moved to the pond. Cause of the man's death was determined to be massive head trauma.

Charged in the murder are Michael Branch, Carl Hopkins, Raymond Hill, Frank Zeigler and Marcus Zeigler. Shirley Muckelvaney is also charged as an accessory after the fact of a felony. Branch and Zeigler both have prior arrest records with the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office. Branch has been arrested on both drug and domestic violence charges, and Zeigler has been arrested on drug and burglary charges.

Deputy Solicitor Robbie Robbins confirmed that Jones was awaiting mental evaluation at a state hospital and was currently facing charges of unlawfully carrying a pistol and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine within the vicinity of a school in Orangeburg.

Turner said investigators were "not even close" to completing their investigation and still had many interviews to conduct. No motive for the beating had been uncovered almost a week into the investigation.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office at 843-563-0300.

T&D Correspondent Stephanie Pietrowski can be reached by e-mail at SPietro122@aol.com or by phone at 843-636-9005.

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