Murder Charge Nets 20-Year Sentence

Christopher Thompson

By Shannon Taylor

Post Associate Editor

A Weakley County man, Christopher Thompson, was sentenced in the 27th Judicial District Circuit Court Monday, Oct. 23 by Judge Jeff Parham to serve 20 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

Thompson and his wife, Jessica Thompson, were both arrested Jan. 22, 2022, after they were accused of the murder of Thompson’s niece, Mandy Noe of Paris, after an alleged dispute between the couple.

The investigation then showed that the couple took steps to hide the body on their property via a tractor that was rented with attachments designed to move dirt. Captain Marty Plunk with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department led the investigation and Noe’s body was discovered in a clandestine grave on the property off of Highway 190, in the Jolley Springs area, by former Weakley County Sheriff Mike Wilson, Sheriff Terry McDade and Investigators Neil Cantrell and Mason Wortham along with members of Weakley County Ambulance Service.

The couple was indicted by the Grand Jury in May 2022. Both were charged with aggravated neglect of a vulnerable adult and abuse of a corpse. Christopher was additionally charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Jessica was additionally charged with accessory after the fact and false reports.

Christopher accepted a guilty plea lesser charge for the first-degree murder, which was reduced to second-degree murder. All other charges were dismissed. He has to serve 100 percent of his 20-year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

For the count of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult, a Class B felony, Jessica is facing a minimum of eight years and a maximum of twelve years with fines up to $25,000. For the count of abuse of a corpse, a Class E felony, Jessica will face a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years with fines up to $3,000. For the count of tampering with evidence, a Class C felony, Jessica will face a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years with fines up to $10,000. For the count of accessory after the fact, a Class E felony, Jessica will face one to six years with fines up to $3,000. For the count of felony false reports, a Class D felony, Jessica will face two to twelve years with fines up to $5,000.

Jessica’s hearing will be Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. in Circuit Court.