A Tennessee teenager has been convicted of killing his younger brother and grandmother in a brutal 2022 attack, and he faces life in prison.
The Murders
Jordan Allen, 20, was 16 years old at the time of the killings. The victims were his 7-year-old brother, Jessie Allen, and 59-year-old grandmother, Sherry Cole. The murders occurred in April 2022 at the family home on Old Snapps Ferry Road in Greeneville, Tennessee, and were carried out with a hammer.
Trial and Verdict
Allen’s trial began on Monday, and by Friday morning, jurors began deliberating. Just after 11 a.m., the jury returned a unanimous verdict, convicting Allen on two counts of first-degree murder. The sentencing phase began the same afternoon.
Defense and Prosecution
During the trial, Allen repeatedly blamed his grandfather, Bill Cole, claiming he feared him and had witnessed him strike the victims. Prosecutors countered by highlighting a confession Allen gave to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in April 2022, admitting to killing his brother and grandmother.
Allen maintained he lied to investigators out of fear and denied planning the murders. He also admitted that his grandfather had never harmed him or the victims, only sometimes raising his voice.
Autopsy Evidence
Medical examiners testified about the victims’ injuries:
- Jessie Allen: Multiple fatal hammer blows to the head, lacerations on the forehead and scalp, and skull fractures.
- Sherry Cole: Brain bruising, head lacerations, and multiple stab wounds on the neck.
Actions After the Murders
Allen acknowledged leaving the scene after the killings, visiting a friend’s house, Little Caesars, and Walmart. He said these actions were his way of coping with the shock.
Jury and Prosecutor Statements
The jury sided with the state, convicting Allen on both counts of first-degree murder. Assistant District Attorney Ritchie Collins said, “I know we got a guilty verdict, but there are just no winners here… Everybody loses.”
Sentencing
Prosecutors have requested life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, Allen’s young age at the time of the murders means jurors will consider this during the sentencing phase.
