A 33-year-old homicide in Walker County has been cleared after “sufficient evidence to prosecute” was identified, according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.
On Feb. 5, 1979, Ernest Harrell Hulsey was found deceased at his business, Sonny’s Used Cars, at 1940 McFarland Road in Rossville. Mr. Hulsey had been shot once in the abdomen.
In April 2008, the homicide case was reopened by Walker County detectives. During the time of the current investigation, Jimmy B. Cardin, Jr., of Ringgold, was identified as a suspect.
Furthermore, witnesses were identified whose statements corroborated evidence and other known facts from the crime scene, Sheriff Wilson said.
In April 2009, as detectives were completing the investigation, Jimmy B. Cardin, Jr., died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Fort Oglethorpe.
After completing the investigation, detectives consulted with Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Herbert E. "Buzz" Franklin.
In June 2012, District Attorney Franklin reviewed the case and issued a written opinion that states “it appears from the evidence we now possess that there would have been sufficient evidence to prosecute Jimmy Bedford Cardin, Jr., for the murder” (of Ernest Harrell Hulsey).
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an argument about a dog fight.