Shivangi Sinha
Among the several co-defendants in Jessica Currin’s case were Jeffrey Burton and Tamara Caldwell. Although neither of them testified against Quincy Omar Cross, their involvement in the case and the legal actions they later took had a significant impact on the course of the conviction. In recent years, both have alleged that their earlier statements were coerced and that they, along with Cross, are innocent. Their roles and the way the case has evolved over time are explored in ABC’s ‘20/20’ episode titled ‘Lost in the Night: Who Murdered Jessica Currin.’
Jeffrey Burton and Tamara Caldwell Became Involved in the Case Years After Jessica Currin’s Death
In August 2000, when Jessica Currin’s remains were discovered near a middle school in Mayfield, Kentucky, Jeffrey Burton and Tamara Caldwell were not initially linked to the case. At that time, it was Tamara’s sister, Victoria Caldwell, whose statement led to several arrests, though the charges were dismissed by 2003. It wasn’t until 2005, when the investigation was reopened, that Jeffrey and Tamara’s names surfaced through the testimonies of Victoria and Vinisha Stubblefield. Both women claimed that on July 29, 2000, they were with Burton, Tamara, and Quincy Omar Cross, and that Cross had strangled Jessica to death. They further alleged that the incident occurred at Burton’s house, and that Jessica’s remains were stored in his garage before being burned.
In 2007, Burton and Tamara, along with others, were indicted in connection with Jessica’s murder. Before Cross’s trial in 2008, both Burton and Tamara entered what is known as an Alford plea, a legal agreement in which a defendant maintains their innocence but acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence to likely secure a conviction. Burton entered the plea to tampering with evidence, second-degree manslaughter and abuse of a corpse.
He received a 15-year prison sentence, with the possibility of early release for good behavior. Tamara took the same plea for second-degree manslaughter and abuse of a corpse and was sentenced to 10 years, with the possibility of release after two and a half years. As part of their plea agreements, both Burton and Tamara agreed to testify against Cross at his trial, corroborating the account that they were present when Cross attacked and killed Jessica, and that they helped dispose of her remains afterward.
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Jeffrey Burton and Tamara Caldwell Are Supporting Quincy Omar Cross’ Innocence Today
In 2016, Jeffrey Burton signed an affidavit that was submitted with a petition filed by Quincy Omar Cross, in which he alleged that he had been coerced into giving statements to the prosecution under the threat of a life sentence. Burton alleged that Cross was not responsible for Jessica Currin’s death and that his earlier testimony had been false. Although the petition was denied by the court, Burton had already been released from prison and had chosen to speak publicly about the case. In 2024, he appeared on a few podcasts, where he alleged that he, Tamara Caldwell, and others were scapegoated in what he described as a “politically motivated” murder case.
In 2022, Tamara Caldwell also signed an affidavit supporting the petition filed by the Kentucky Innocence Project (KIP), alleging that she had been coerced during the 2008 trial and that her previous statements were false. The affidavits from both Tamara and Burton have been among the key documents used by KIP in their continued fight to prove Cross’ innocence. Burton, who has spoken publicly about the case, stated that he has urged Victoria Caldwell and Vinisha Stubblefield to now tell the truth and that he has come to view them as victims themselves.
Both he and Tamara maintain that Cross is innocent, but as of October 2025, their affidavits were not deemed sufficient to be included in the evidentiary hearing scheduled for November 2025. Both attended the court session when the hearing was granted, and according to reports, Burton met Stubblefield there, telling her he hoped she would tell the truth this time, to which she allegedly agreed. He has since expressed frustration at how long and slow the process has been, but said he remains patiently hopeful for justice to prevail.
