Three different individuals have been indicted for murder charges following two separate Knoxville Police Department-led Drug Related Death Task Force investigations into overdose deaths.
Last week, Amanda Martin, DOB 8/21/84, and George Joslin, DOB 9/5/79, were indicted by a Knox County Grand Jury for second-degree murder as well as sale and delivery of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Those indictments were the result of an investigation into the overdose death of a 54-year-old woman at a McCroskey Avenue residence in March 2024.
The investigation revealed that Joslin and Martin supplied the victim with methamphetamine and fentanyl that ultimately resulted in her death. At the time of the indictment, Martin was already in custody for previous charges related to drug distribution. Joslin was located by patrol officers at his McCroskey Avenue home and taken into custody on April 13.
Separately, KPD Drug Related Death Task Force detectives also obtained a grand jury indictment charging Demichael Hines, DOB 5/19/88, with second-degree murder and sale and delivery of fentanyl. That indictment was the result of an investigation into the December 2023 overdose death of an 18-year-old girl at a sober living facility in Fountain City.
Symphony Jones, DOB 11/2/93, was previously indicted for second-degree murder in May 2024 as a result of that investigation. Continued investigation revealed that Hines was the source of drug supply. Hines was taken into custody by members of the KPD’s Community Engagement Response Team following a traffic stop on April 12.
“These indictments are a product of our officers’ resolve to combat the overdose epidemic by holding individuals who recklessly traffic deadly drugs accountable,” Chief Paul Noel said. “Those efforts are making a difference and undoubtedly preventing further unnecessary deaths.”
About the Drug Related Death Task Force
The Drug Related Death Task Force is an inter-agency investigation and prosecution team who examines overdoses that occur in Knox County as a means to combat the opiate epidemic. Founded under the direction of the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA), the task force consists of the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Knox County Regional Forensic Center. The goal of the task force is to decrease overdoses by holding drug dealers accountable when their drug trafficking leads to overdose deaths. The task force also gains intelligence about the opiate epidemic that can be used by member agencies and others across the country to fight this increasing problem.
