On September 14, 1973, Jacqueline Haloua-Dismukes, a former French teacher, was found murdered in her Nashville home. The crime scene showed signs of a violent struggle, and Haloua-Dismukes had been stabbed, bludgeoned, and strangled.
Police suspected a 16-year-old boy named Richard Ferguson Barton, who had been tutored by the victim, as the killer. Evidence, including a belt and can of lighter fluid, was collected from Barton’s home, and his phone number was found in Haloua-Dismukes’ residence. Investigators also discovered that Haloua-Dismukes made a phone call on the night of her murder, mentioning a delay in picking up a bookcase.
Richard Ferguson Barton, a 16-year-old boy suspected of murdering Jacqueline Haloua-Dismukes, was connected to the crime through a note found at the crime scene. The note contained Barton’s name, phone number, address on Cheek Road, and mentioned a bookcase. Barton’s fingerprint was discovered on a bent knife found at the victim’s home.
Following his surrender to the police, Barton displayed no emotional response and was released on bond. Based on a psychiatric evaluation, Barton was deemed incompetent to stand trial. Testimonies from mental health professionals described his limited social interaction abilities, a potential for violence when his social needs went unmet, and an apparent lack of awareness regarding the consequences of his actions. Their recommendations emphasized the necessity for long-term residential treatment. The subsequent course of Barton’s life is mostly unknown, though he got married, relocated, and pursued a career out of state, suggesting the possibility of successful treatment and a normalized existence.
Sources
- numerous articles from The Tennessean found in a search of “Jacqueline Haloua-Dismukes” and Nashville, Tennessee on newspapers.com – I read everything from 1973-1974
- property deed for 6615 Fox Hollow Road, Nashville, TN 37205, courtesy Davidson County Register of Deeds
Images
- all images from The Tennessean via newspapers.com
Music
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