CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The ex-husband of slain soldier Shadow McClaine has requested a change of venue for his upcoming murder trial.
According to Maj. Martin Meiners, Public Affairs Officer at Fort Campbell, Jamal Williams McCray appeared in a Fort Campbell courtroom Jan. 9 for an Article 39a hearing, a session of a court-martial called by the military judge before the jurors are seated.
The presiding judge, Col. Timothy Hayes, addressed numerous motions filed by the prosecution and defense. McCray is facing the death penalty in the case, and motions to dismiss the capital offense and set aside capital instructions were both denied by the judge.
McCray’s request for a change of venue in the trial, as well as other motions, were tabled until the next hearing scheduled for Feb. 25.
A motion to produce privileged communications was also denied.
McClaine went missing in September 2016 and her remains were found in January 2017 after an extensive search. McCray and Spc. Charles Robinson III were charged with homicide in her death.
Williams-McCray is also charged with sexual assault, aggravated assault, and obstruction of justice.
Robinson pleaded guilty at his court-martial in September 2018. He was sentenced by a judge to life imprisonment without parole, reduction in rank to private, forfeiture of all pay and a dishonorable discharge. However, based upon a pretrial agreement, he will not serve an excess of 25 years. Robinson also received credit for 558 days of pretrial confinement.
Robinson said he was supposed to be paid $10,000 by McClaine’s ex-husband to kill her and help hide the body. Robinson said he used a box cutter and a knife to kill her but Sgt. Jamal Williams-McCray paid him only $200.
McClaine’s remains were found two years ago on Jan. 23. As the anniversary approaches, a candlelight vigil has been planned for that day to honor her memory. The public is invited to gather at the site where her remains were found, near Exit 19 off I-24 and Maxey Rd. at 6 p.m. The vigil will be held regardless of weather, according to organizers.
