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Arrest Made in 1982 Murder Case in Richmond County

Forty-one years ago a woman was shot and killed during an armed robbery at a business in Richmond County.  Today, investigators say they have made an arrest in the cold…

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Forty-one years ago a woman was shot and killed during an armed robbery at a business in Richmond County.  Today, investigators say they have made an arrest in the cold case.

Betty Jo Lackey, who was 34-year-old at the time, was shot during an armed robbery May 27, 1982 at B.J.Designs T. Shirtery Shack on Wrightsboro Road.  Lackey, who lived on Winter Street in Augusta, died as a result of her injuries.

Thursday, Richmond County Investigators interviewed 58-year-old Jeffrey Deon Mickens, reportedly homeless in Augusta, in connection with the decades-old unsolved case.

A news release today said, "During the course of the investigation, Investigators were able to develop the required probable cause to obtain warrants on Jeffrey Mickens for the murder of Betty Jo Lackey."

Mickens has been charged with Murder, Armed Robbery of a Business and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.  He's being held without bond at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.

Mary Liz is the News Director and Co-Host of Augusta’s Morning News on WGAC. She spent 11 years as a News Director at an Indiana Radio Station. She has also worked as a former Police and Courts Reporter for The Republic Newspaper and Assistant Marketing Director of Merchants National Bank in Indianapolis. Mary Liz focuses most on local breaking news stories, feature stories on upcoming events, or community-service related organizations and the people who serve them. She has been with WGAC since 1995.