Lisa Marchesoni
Posted: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 11:26 am

Detective Ron Killings

A sheriff’s detective who was indicted Tuesday on a reckless homicide charge in the traffic death of an 11-year-old girl has resigned, Sheriff Truman Jones confirmed this morning.

Sgt. Ron Killings was charged with homicide of Lakeisha White of Hopkinsville, Ky., filing a false report and tampering with evidence by grand jurors, Jones said. He was booked into Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and released on $3,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court Feb. 17.

Murfreesboro Police said at the time Lakeisha was killed July 17 when she darted in front of Killings’ sheriff’s cruiser near the home of relatives on Bradyville Pike. He was on duty. Witnesses told police Killings tossed out a bottle of alcohol at the scene.

District Attorney William Whitesell said Killings’ blood-alcohol was negative.

Jones said Killings resigned this morning after learning of three felony indictments.

“We were definitely caught unaware how this panned out,” Jones said. “I have no idea how they (grand jurors) came to the conclusion they did.”

Jones said he couldn’t comment on the case because the sheriff’s office is not investigating.

“Ron is a man of integrity,” Jones said. “It’s a terrible blow to Ron, his family and the department.”

Jones said the “true value of the charges will come out once it’s been brought into the courtroom.”

Murfreesboro Police spokesman Kyle Evans said the department is aware of the charges but referring all questions to district attorney pro tem Joseph Baugh.

Baugh, who was named to prosecute the case after Whitesell recused himself, said he expects to exchange information with Killings' attorney in an effort to resolve the case.

In a press release, Killings’ supervisor Maj. Charles A. Thomas said the sheriff’s office will refer questions to Murfreesboro Police and Baugh.

“Sgt. Killings has been an exemplary officer and served his tenure here with integrity and unwavering dedication,” Thomas stated.

Killings joined the sheriff’s office Sept. 2, 1996 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to the detective division and later became a supervisor in the division.