Happy Photos Hide Murderous Intent

A woman, that appeared happy in Facebook photographs with her husband on December 2, was allegedly shot to death by him on December 4, as reported by the Clarion Leger in Mississippi.

James Pendleton, 41, was booked into the Lincoln County jail for the murder of his wife, Gail Coone Pendleton, 29.

It is alleged that at least one of their two children was a witness to the shooting.

Facebook pictures of the couple range from kisses and laughter during the recent Brookhaven Christmas Parade, to one of James holding a gun to his chest.  In the latter, Gail had written this caption: "My bad hubby but don't he look good."

The officials in the case state that James Pendleton shot Gail Pendleton in their home at 539 S. Railroad Ave. in Brookhaven at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Clay McMorris, the Lincoln County Coroner, pronounced Gail Pendleton dead at 3:30 p.m.

Captain Bobby Bell, for the Brookhaven Police Department, stated that Pendleton was arrested without any incident.  Sheriff Steve Rushing, for Lincoln County, confirmed Pendleton's 5:30 p.m. booking time into the jail.

Gail Pendleton leaves behind two children; a nine-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son.  Friends, relatives and co-workers - she was a cosmetology student at a Copiah-Lincoln Community College - described her both as a fun and generally happy person.

Brenda Rippy, Gail Pendleton's cousin, said, "You couldn't ask for a better person. She was just awesome."

Friend Shelley Hamback, of Bogue Chitto, will miss their times together.  She said, "Not long ago, we went to a hair show down in Biloxi.  Just the trip down there, we were laughing and carrying on, and having a good old time. She was at peace. She didn't have to worry about anything."

Penny Bailey, Gail Pendleton's aunt, recalled her niece's interests in being a good mother and someday becoming a hairdresser.  Bailey commented, "She was a good mama. She loved both of her kids.  They would go out and eat supper, and she'd take them to the park and play with them. They did a lot of things together."

Natalie Davis, the Co-Lin Public Director, feels that Gail Pendleton's death will be felt in  the small cosmetology department.  Davis, in offering her condolences, said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time. We're just so deeply saddened.  Anytime we lose a student in some kind of tragic event, it hits home really hard, because we're such a community ourselves."

Hamback was the only person to recollect a different, one more currently drawn, perspective of Gail's life.  She reported that, "I could tell she wasn't as happy anymore."

While James Pendleton waits to have his initial appearance in municipal court, his two children are staying with Gail Pendleton's family.

Bailey said, that at least for their children's sake, "I would like to see him be punished."

Faced with criminal charges and need a qualified attorney that specializes in criminal defense?  Click here to contact a criminal defense lawyer from our directory.