A lot of Courtland residents mum after charges in Jessica Chambers killing

While many anticipated a great feeling of relief to come from the town where 19-year-old Jessica Chambers lived and ultimately died, the apprehension hangs in the air like a mist.

Throughout the town of Courtland, a lot of people on the street are unwilling to talk about the fact that charges were pressed against Quinton Tellis, 27, also of Courtland.

In a press conference Wednesday, District Attorney John Champion said officials do not expect any further charges in the case.

Jessica's family says they are grateful and relieved that there has been an indictment, and that they trust that Tellis is the right suspect.

Lisa Daugherty, Jessica's mother, said she's glad there's an indictment, but she's still carrying the weight of it.

"Justice for Jessica is coming," she said. "One hurdle, and on to the next. It's coming."

Her father said he is "overwhelmed."

"I'm just waiting on Mr. Champion to do his thing. I've got all the faith in him and (Assistant District Attorney) Jay Hale in the world," Ben Chambers said. "They will take care of it, I know that."

At the gas station on 51 where Chambers was seen on video just hours before her death, two clerks politely declined comment, saying that they were new to the area and were not familiar with the case.

Steve Halley, who travels the area and was in the store for a few minutes, said he had heard of the case. He said he feels like Courtland is safer now.

"I've come through here and asked, even asked today if someone had been caught," Halley said. "It's pretty terrifying."

Two other store workers also declined comment, one saying she was afraid, and the other saying he isn't from Courtland and doesn't know the people involved.

At another shop down the road, a cashier said she didn't know Chambers or Tellis, and said she feels better to know there have been charges pressed. She said, however, that she worries that the killer didn't act alone and that there might still be someone out there capable of committing such a horrible crime.

Two patrons of that store also didn't want to comment, but as she walked out the door, one woman said, "I don't think he did it alone."

To see more content related to the Jessica Chambers case, visit The Clarion-Ledger's website.

This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 12:10 PM with the headline "A lot of Courtland residents mum after charges in Jessica Chambers killing."