All Five Suspects In Murder Over Bulldog Could Face Murder Charges

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- There is new information about the beating death of a Tulsa man over a borrowed bulldog.

Police initially believed the victim stole the dog from one of the suspects and was killed as his infant son lay sleeping in his bed.

Guy Jones's wife told The News On 6 her husband was a devoted father and was not a dog thief.

We're now told the dog was borrowed and we have new details about what happened leading up to Jones' death.

Guy Jones was beaten to death in the front room of his house, with his one-year-old son sleeping a few feet away.

Police arrested five people on complaints of first degree murder.

Police initially thought it started over a stolen bulldog, something Jones' wife denies.

"The only thing that I can comment on at this time is that my husband is not a dog thief," said Shanna Deshields, Victim's Wife.

Authorities now say that's true.

12/13/2009  Related Story: EXCLUSIVE: Wife Of Murdered Tulsa Man Speaks Out

They say Jones borrowed a female bulldog from 47-year-old Carmile Sulvetta to breed with his male bulldog.

Officer Jason Willingham, Tulsa Police, said "We don't believe that he had stolen the dog, or taken the dog without permission, we actually think there was an agreement that was in place."

Police believe Sulvetta was dissatisfied with how Jones was handling the breeding attempt and asked at least one of these suspects to send him a message.

"The five people were sent over to his house to kind of scare him but they ended up assaulting him and causing his death," Willingham said.

Police believe after breaking into the house, all five had a role in the brutal beating. Jones's wife Shanna came home and found her husband dead on the floor.

"We all loved him very much, and it's sad that he's gone and not going to be here to help take care of his family anymore," Deshields said.

She told police a TV was missing and the borrowed female bulldog was also gone.

"To think that a man can lose his life over a bad situation with a dog is very, its uh, very unsettling," Willingham said.

Police are still looking for the owner of that female bulldog, who they say planned the confrontation.

The assistant district attorney told The News On 6 he will not have the final police report for a few more days.

The News On 6 asked him if all five suspects could face a murder charge.

He said absolutely, even if they only ‘intended' to commit lesser crimes like robbery and assault because those crimes resulted in a homicide.