Rodney Shelton Fulgham Faces Boliver County Justice Court Judge for Charge of Vehicular Homicide in the Death of Shelby Dawson Harmon

Rodney Shelton Fulgham, 23, of Boliver County, Ms. was taken into custody October 29th and charged with Felony Vehicular Homicide in the October 20th domestic violence related, hit and run death on US 61 near the Boyle Community, of Shelby Dawson Harmon, 20, of Cleveland.



Inmate: Rodney Shelton Fulgham - Boliver County Regional Correctional Facility

Fulgham, which had addresses listed in both Cleveland and Shaw, was escorted from the Bolivar County Regional Correctional Facility to the Bolivar County Justice Court and appeared before Honorable Judge Harold Ward Sr. on October 30th.


Fulgham, confined with handcuffs and leg irons, and head down, stood before Judge Ward Sr. as he was told, "It is my understanding that you are currently out on a previous felony bond for burglary,". Ward went on to say, "Since that is the case, you are remanded to custody with no bail.".


Angie Harmon, mother of the victim, posted a comment on the Facebook page created for her daughter, which has gone viral, Justice for Shelby. Mrs. Harmon stated, "Good morning ALL! Thank you for all the support and prayers! I sat in the courtroom this morning as calmly watched as this pitiful soul was escorted in and informed of his charge: Vehicular Homicide. He never looked at me as I sat at stared at him, as he walked up to face the judge. He hung his head in shame and never looked my way. All I could think was he changed so many lives forever for the choice He made on October 20, 2012. He took my Shelby's life and ruined his own. Its really really sad! No one wins! And to know he did this to the one person who truly loved him. My heart goes out to his family. I know my daughter is in a magnificent place, but if convicted, he will go to one of the worst places known.".


Agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol have been processing evidence at the State Crime Lab and conducting an ongoing investigation since first being contacted by the Bolivar County Sheriff's Department upon their arrival to the crime scene. The deputies were dispatched by Boliver County 911 after a call at approximately 6:10 a.m. came in by a female motorist traveling on US 61 reported that she had hit something in the highway and she thought it was a body. It has also been reported that a second 911 call came in shortly after the first by another motorist that stated nearly the same thing.


Following these two calls to 911 and the deputies being dispatched, it was reported that Fulgham, the victims boyfriend, also called 911 and reported an accident but had already driven away from the scene.


The crime scene revealed the shocking and horrific aftermath of what was discovered to be the mutilated, lifeless body of Shelby Harmon. It appeared that Harmon had been run over by two traveling motorist after being first struck by the truck being driven by her boyfriend, Rodney Shelton Fulgham, and her body propelled into oncoming traffic.


It was reported that this incident occurred in the early morning hours following an argument between Fulgham and Harmon which turned violent. Though details are sketchy and actual reports vary, this case of physical domestic violence turned deadly after Harmon broke off the relationship with Fulgham and attempted to leave the residence which they shared.


Fulgham, who at the time, was out of jail on a bond for Felony Burglary, and awaiting trial, was taken into custody for questioning but later released. His release sparked a fire that quickly turned into a raging inferno throughout the community and then spread nation wide after social media was used to spread the details surrounding he death of Shelby. Demands of justice immediately began pouring in from all over the world.


On Monday, just prior to the arrest of Fulgham, Angie Harmon posted on Facebook, "This is my daughter. She is loved by many and now being supported by thousands. I ask for your continued support. Keep making noise. Keep calling. Keep telling everyone who will listen that you want justice for Shelby .Keep your voices loud so hers can be heard.".

Photo posted on "Justice for Shelby" of Shelby by Angie Harmon
 

Thousands of people from all corners of the globe did just that! Let it not ever be said that precious Shelby will not be remembered nor that domestic violence will be tolerated...


Just this morning, a post on Justice for Shelby read, "Out of something so viscous, devastating and heartbreaking came something beautiful... A whole world united FOR JUSTICE FOR SHELBY! And we find out that there are so many caring people in the world... Nikki".


In Memory of Shelby Dawson Harmon

Rodney Shelton Fulgham of Bolivar County Charged with Felony Vehicular Homicide in the Death of Shelby Dawson Harmon

Breaking news last night hit the Facebook page, "Justice for Shelby"!

Photo L-R: Shelby Dawson Harmon, Rodney Shelton Fulgham

As an update to the tragic story of Shelby Dawson Harmon...

Just 2 hours before the news of the arrest, the page posted the following status update:

"JUSTICE FOR SHELBY has almost 25000 likes, if each one of you would go ask someone in the media to PLEASE investigate and cover her story we could keep JUSTICE FOR SHELBYS GOING STRONG & hopefully get HIM LOCKED UP, for once and for all.! Thanks for each of your continued support."

Less than 12 hours ago, in a statement that followed, from the moderator of a page created to bring attention to the tragic death of Shelby Dawson Harmon, read as follows:

"Praise the lord!! Shelby is dancing! Shelton fulgham has been charge with vehicular homicide!!! Dps.state.Ms.us go there to read the full story! Thank u for ur support. Lets continue to pray and support this family throughout the trial!!"

In a public press release by Lt. Col. Larry Waggoner, Director of  the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, he stated, "Our agents, deputies of the Bolivar County Sheriff's Department, MHP's crash reconstructionists and forensic scientists of the Mississippi Crime Laboratory have worked tirelessly to reach this point of the investigation, ".

The MBI Director went on to say, "Investigators working closely with the District Attorney and after presenting evidence and test results from the lab, an arrest warrant was issued and Fulgham was taken into custody."

It was evident from the beginning that Shelby's family and friends were not going to simply quietly mourn the death of 20 year old Shelby Dawson Harmon and sit idle as the alleged killer roamed the streets, a free man. A massive public awareness campaign was launched that attracted thousands of followers on Facebook, local and national news outlets. Shelby's story was quickly spread around the globe via "Justice for Shelby", and the response was overwhelming.

23 year old Rodney Shelton Fulgham of Bolivar County, Ms. has been arrested and officially charged with Vehicular Homicide in the October 20th hit and run death of his girlfriend, Shelby Harmon (20), on US Highway 61 near the Boyle community. Shelby was first struck by a truck, driven by Fulgham and propelled into oncoming traffic where two separate vehicles, unrelated to the domestic violence assault, ran over Harmon's body.  Shelby was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fulgham is in custody at this time and is awaiting his initial court appearance.

In a later statement posted on the "Justice for Shelby" Facebook page, Shelby's mother, Angie Harmon said in part, "...This will not bring my precious child back, but it will prevent him from harming another person! 

 Thank You ALL for your prayers and help in pushing this forward. We will FOREVER be grateful! May God bless you all, including the family of Shelton Fulgham! Please don't hold them responsible. They are hurting and need prayers , too! I, nor my family have any hard feelings towards them.
I will rest easy tonight!

Shelby's mom...."

The page has been flooded with thousands of comments from around the world and it is expected to continue as more news develops in the felony criminal case as it is heard in court.

May Justice truly be served for Shelby!

Shelby Dawson Harmon (20), Mississippi Native Found Dead - Suspected Victim of Domestic Violence Sparks "Justice for Shelby" Campaign

An investigation is currently under way into the death of a 20 year old woman found early Saturday morning. Shelby Dawson Harmon was was killed 20 October 2012, while walking down Highway 61 somewhere near the Choctaw Community in Mississippi. Information obtained from other sources indicated to SuperTalk Mississippi that Warren Strain with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, reported that both the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Mississippi Bureau of Investigation are assisting the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.

Specific details into the tragic death of this young woman are some what of a mystery at this point but allegations range from a hit and run to murder stemming from domestic violence. Various stories have surfaced from numerous sources and it will be up to the authorities to sort out all of the details and facts associated with the case. The primary focus is being placed on a report that Shelby was allegedly murdered after breaking up with her boyfriend. In a statement obtained from the victims mother, she stated that Shelby contacted a friend after a fight ending in a breakup with her boyfriend at a residence in Cleveland, Ms which she shared with him across from the crime scene. The victim was apparently struck by a vehicle and killed, but due to the circumstances surrounding the fight and questions of how she ended up in the street following the altercation, has raised suspicion as to her being a murder victim as a result of domestic violence. Shelby was struck at least once by the truck driven by her boyfriend and then knocked into oncoming traffic and run over at least two more times. The estranged boyfriend was taken into custody but has now been released pending the investigation. It has been reported that no charges have been filed against him at this time and that he was actually taken into protective custody due to death threats. These reports have not been confirmed at this time but updates will be provided as it is officially released.

Tayna Carter, a reporter for WABG out of Greenville, Mississippi reported that Harmon was murdered as the result of domestic violence after she told her boyfriend, 23 year-old Rodney Shelton Fulgham she was leaving him. The following is a quote from the reporters Facebook earlier this morning. "THE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION IS STILL ON TOP OF THE CASE, WITH EVIDENCE BEING TAKEN TO THE CRIME LAB IN BATESVILLE FOR PROCESSING AND DNA TESTING INCLUDING THE THREE VEHICLES THAT STRUCK HARMON. NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AT THIS TIME PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE M-B-I INVESTIGATION. BOLIVAR COUNTY CORONER NATE BROWN RETRACTING HARMON'S DEATH AS A HOMICIDE TO UNDETERMINED ALLOWING M-B-I COMPLETION OF THEIR INVESTIGATION. BROWN STATING M-B-I REQUESTING AN AUTOPSY REPORT BUT HARMON ALREADY CREMATED MONDAY."

It is apparent that this case is far from being solved but it is also evident that there is a growing unrest erupting from not only the victims family, friends, and community, but now the entire United States is aware of her death and the story is being covered by local broadcasting such as WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee and national news media such as CNN. Shelby's story is gaining steam and the public is beginning to speak out. We are in the middle of October, which has been nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it has been reported that Mississippi possibly ranks as high as fourth in the nation with domestic violence resulting in murder statistics. New laws have been implemented to protect victims of domestic violence but it seems that far too many incidents are still being reported, some with tragic endings.

A Facebook fan page in memory of Shelby was created a little more than twenty four hours ago by Jennie Jean Bills and already has nearly 12,000 "like's" in support of getting justice for Shelby. This firestorm page is called Justice for Shelby and it is clear that people from all corners of the globe are not only offering prayers and support for the victim and her family but are also demanding justice be served. The page is not only honoring and remembering a young woman but also keeping the world updated on the latest news surrounding her death. They are working to organize protest outside the local courthouse in response to the release of the victims boyfriend, Rodney Fulgham. Request are being made for calls into the local sheriff's department, district attorney's office, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and Mississippi Attorney Generals office for a thorough investigation. They have also requested that motorist traveling near the court house or local sherriff's department "honk" their horn in memory of Shelby and to also remind officials that she will not be forgotten and that "this" is not simply going away.

On a side note, there has also been another Facebook page created by an unidentified person but instead of gaining support and popularity, with a mere 29 "like's", has sparked a heated uprising due to the content that is being published there. Numerous request have been made to Facebook to remove the page called Shelton Fulgham is Innocent but as of this time, it is still online. This page has made derogatory remarks and posted grotesque pictures which make fun of the victim. From the post that are being documented, it is clear that this issue will not simply go away and tension is mounting as pressure increases for a response. "This page is disgusting and worthy of a response from Facebook...", stated one the subscribers.

It has been reported that the victim graduated from high school with a 4.0 GPA and also obtained an Associates Degree from Mississippi Delta Community College. By all accounts, Shelby was full of life and eager to continue her education.

Shelby was born on June 4, 1990 in the Mississippi Delta and a celebration of her life will be held today at Calvary Baptist Chapel, located at 36 Ward- Riddick Rd Parchman, MS . Visitation will be at 6:00 p.m. and the service at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Robert Neal Food Pantry in care of Calvary Baptist Chapel, mailing address: P.O. Box 66 Rome, MS 38768.

A site has also been set up to accept donations in memory of Shelby. The details regarding the fundraiser and link are as follows:

 

Fundraiser: Justice for Shelby

"Shelby Dawson Harmon was the victim of domestic violence. We are trying to raise money to make decals and for the family to help with expenses and legal fees. Please donate if you're able. Any little bit helps! Everything donated will be sent directly to the family."

 

 

Online condolences can be made through Ray Funeral Home by accessing "In Memory of Shelby Dawson Harmon: 1990-2012".

 

 

See update to story dated 10/30/2012

 

Shelby Dawson Harmon