Thirty years after the Thanksgiving murder of a Conyers woman, her killer was released

Before Shirley collapsed, she fled not towards the nearby public road, but towards Melba’s house.

In October, the McKnight family received news that disturbed them: Shirley’s convicted murderer, Joseph Monroe, had been granted preliminary parole. Previously, when Monroe’s parole eligibility was being considered, many family members were notified by mail and each wrote a letter to the State Board of Pardons and Parole asking them not to release him from prison. This year, the notice was emailed and sent only to Lett-Hammond. She fears that her letters did not arrive in time for the board to review them.

Melba McKnight and Lett-Hammond discussed the bittersweet nature of Thanksgiving and the 30th anniversary of the shocking murder in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the Conyers estate, where Melba and many family members still live.

Photo credit: Henri Hollis

Photo credit: Henri Hollis

Monroe, who has pleaded not guilty, was arrested more than three weeks after the fatal stabbing. The McKnight family quickly pointed out that he was the likely killer, and he was the only suspect publicly identified by authorities. Shirley was 46 when she died and had been in an on-and-off relationship with 50-year-old Monroe for about 20 years.

At trial, prosecutor Nancy Bills presented evidence that Monroe had previously abused Shirley. The couple lived together at Shirley’s home but broke up after he hit her several times, Bills said. Although Shirley did not press charges against Monroe, she officially had him evicted from her home in October 1994, the Rockdale Citizen reported.

Melba said Shirley lived with her just up the street while Monroe was removed from her home. Shirley moved back into her house in early November.

The fact that Monroe was finally gone made Thanksgiving extra sweet, Melba said.

“Shirley called me and said, ‘I’m down here cooking my Thanksgiving dinner, singing praises and thanking God. “I finally have the house to myself,” said Melba.

Monroe was initially taken into custody for questioning in early December and released due to lack of evidence. Almost two weeks later, thanks to a witness, he was arrested and charged with Shirley’s murder. A clerk at the Conyers store selected Monroe from a line of people and placed him near the crime scene on the night of the murder. DNA evidence was also collected from drops of blood left in Shirley’s home when the killer ripped her phone from the wall.

Photo credit: Georgia Department of Corrections

Photo credit: Georgia Department of Corrections

Monroe maintained his innocence during his first trial and a second trial on appeal, but was found guilty in both cases. Because of the nature of the killing and Georgia law at the time, his maximum sentence included the possibility of parole, and his case was reviewed by state authorities multiple times, Melba said.

“It increases the pain,” Melba said. “Because it’s been 30 years, it’s Thanksgiving. And this is the year you all decide to “provisionally” approve his parole?”

Georgia changed its sentencing laws on January 1, 1995, just weeks after Monroe’s arrest. Because Shirley’s murder took place in 1994, Monroe was eligible for parole after just seven years in prison. Thanks in part to letters from Shirley’s family and other supporters, Monroe’s parole was not granted after several previous reviews. However, this year feels different for the McKnight family; Lett-Hammond said Monroe’s probation had never before been listed as “provisionally granted.”

Photo credit: Henri Hollis

Photo credit: Henri Hollis

Melba and Lett-Hammond both fear Monroe’s retaliation if he is released, even though he is now 80 years old.

“I’m afraid for my life, my family’s life and everyone here who testified on this stand because he’s evil and what does he have to lose?” Melba said.

Both Melba and Lett-Hammond described Shirley as a beloved figure in their family and community. She worked as a housekeeper for several families in Rockdale County, and Melba recounted how her sister’s employers “cried like babies” when they came to pay their respects. Shirley’s family said she was a homebody who loved decorating for the holidays and an excellent cook.

“She just enjoyed life; She was big and funny,” Lett-Hammond said of her aunt. “She was a tall lady who loved red lipstick.”

Shirley’s death changed the McKnight family forever. Lett-Hammond, now married with a daughter of her own, said she didn’t go on dates at night in high school and always went on dates in public places. She didn’t let dates pick her up at her house so they wouldn’t know where she lived.

“This whole ordeal has made me extremely cautious about who I associate with,” Lett-Hammond said. “I can honestly say it taught me not to keep secrets from my mom when I’m going through something.”

“The word Thanksgiving will never be the same,” Melba said. “(Grief) doesn’t go away or go away. You learn to live with it.”

Photo credit: Henri Hollis

Photo credit: Henri Hollis

Through their grief, the McKnight family and the Rockdale community were able to take something good from Shirley’s death.

The Rockdale District Attorney’s Office created its Victim-Witness Assistance Program in Shirley’s honor, and the program remains active today. In October, Melba spoke at a candlelight vigil honoring victims of domestic violence organized by the VWAP and DA office. In 2000, the McKnight family and VWAP founded the Call to Protect program, which helps provide cell phones to victims of domestic violence.

Shirley’s son, Michael McKnight, also dedicated his life to public service. The year after his mother’s death, he graduated from Morris Brown College and then received a doctorate in education. He has spent his career as an educator and is now director of the Atlanta Youth Detention Center.

For the McKnight family, this Thanksgiving comes to the forefront because of the anniversary of Shirley’s death and the unpleasant possibility of Monroe’s parole. However, they still count their blessings and look forward to celebrating. Melba’s countertops and refrigerator were filled with pies and classic Southern Thanksgiving dishes, including cornbread dressing and a giant turkey seasoned for the deep fryer.

“Our family unit in this county, in this city, in this entire community still remains extremely close-knit,” Lett-Hammond said. “But we all still feel the pain of that night.”