In a case that may not be straightened out until it hits the courtroom, four people have been charged in connection with the July killing of a Tellico Plains man.

Vince Cole, 41, was shot and killed on July 24 at a bar in Hidden Lake Campground. Initially Josh Anderson, 27, Madisonville, was taken in for questioning in the incident after he allegedly shot two men, but never charged.

Now, four months later, the second victim, Danny Adams, 36, Tellico Plains, who was also shot, has been indicted by the grand jury for criminally negligent homicide in the death of Cole.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office declined to offer much comment on the new developments in the case, but the indictments state Adams threatened Anderson with a knife then caused the death of Cole, though it doesn't say how or why the killing occurred.

Detective Mike Morgan said Adams has been charged because he appeared to be the instigator behind the entire incident.
Lynette Millsaps, 38, Janet Watson, 52, and Sydne Cole, 30, all of Tellico Plains, were also indicted for aggravated assault after they allegedly attacked Jamie Anderson, the wife of Josh Anderson.
When the shootings happened in July, it was said a "hand gesture" led to the incident.

Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy Clint Brookshire was the first officer on the scene and found bystanders performing CPR on Cole, who had been shot under his right arm near the shoulder. Brookshire said he did not see an exit wound from the bullet.

Brookshire attempted CPR on Cole himself, then Sheriff Bill Bivens did the same, but Cole was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Brookshire said Adams was awake, but not responding verbally. Brookshire said Adams had been shot in the abdomen and had shallow breathing and was gray in color. He was taken to UT Medical Center for treatment.

Witnesses told Brookshire Cole and Adams had been arguing with  Anderson over an alleged hand gesture when the three began fighting. Witness said Cole punched Anderson three times in the face and Anderson pulled out a gun and told them to get back.

Witnesses said Cole and Adams kept pushing Anderson up the driveway and Anderson fired one shot into the ground and then fired two more shots at the men, hitting Adams first, then Cole.
The four indicted in the case are scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 7.

michael.thomason@advocateanddemocrat.com | 442-4575