Prosecutor weighs in on what’s next for Quinton Tellis, following early release

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Quinton Tellis, the man accused of setting Jessica Chambers on fire, will be granted early release from a Louisiana prison.

North Mississippi Prosecutor John Champion explained what that means.

"He is now eligible for release on the charges involving the credit card," said Champion.

Champion referenced the 10-year sentence Tellis received in Louisiana for the unauthorized use of a debit card belonging to a Taiwanese exchange student in Monroe.

Tellis only had to serve 35 percent of that sentence.

However, he is also facing a murder charge in the death of the student. Prosecutors in Monroe have a retainer on Tellis for the murder.

Champion said he will likely leave Angola in February and go right to the county jail in Monroe, where he will await trial on the murder.

Champion tried Tellis twice in the murder of 19-year-old Jessica Chambers, only to get a hung jury each time.

What transpires in the Louisiana murder trial likely will determine if Champion tries Tellis a third time.

“The ultimate goal is to get him off the streets, that’s the ultimate goal whether it be us or another state,” said Champion.

Soon after Chambers was murdered, Tellis moved to Louisiana to be with his prison pen pal Chakita Jackson.

Ironically, the exchange student’s body was found the day Tellis and Jackson got married.

Champion believes the Louisiana murder case against Tellis is strong, even though it is circumstantial like the Chambers case.

“I know the in’s and out’s of that case. I’d try it in a heartbeat. I think it’s a good case,” said Champion.

He believes Tellis needs to remain behind bars one way or another.

"He is a dangerous predator as I've ever come across," said Champion.

Although Tellis has been charged with murder in Louisiana, his case will also be presented to a grand jury for indictment.

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