Murder suspect dies in jail

A man awaiting trial for capital murder died in the Walker County Jail early Tuesday morning.  58 year old Jimmy Lane Maxwell,  was found unresponsive during a routine cell check and was pronounced dead at 1:30 a.m., Maxwell's death appears to be from natural causes.  Maxwell was charged in the January 2014 slaying of 66-year-old Donald Clayton Whited, who was found in his burning home. A Blount County grand jury last year indicted Maxwell on seven charges: capital murder for pecuniary gain, capital murder during burglary; capital murder during arson, capital murder during kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of animal cruelty.  Maxwell was one of three people arrested in Whited's death. The victim's cousin, 58 year old Kenneth Owen Whited,  was also charged with solicitation to commit capital murder. A woman, Pamela Ellen Rains, is charged with hindering prosecution.  Donald Clayton Whited was found inside his home on Ebell Street in Oneonta. According to the indictment returned against Maxwell, Whited was shot in the head before the fire was set at his home. Maxwell and at least one other person broke into Whited's home, restrained him, shot him in the head and started a fire.  The indictment against Maxwell said he was hired to kill Clayton Whited as part of a conspiracy between Maxwell and Kenneth Whited. Maxwell got a gun from Kenneth Whited, according to the indictment.  Maxwell also killed Clayton Whited's cats during the attack at his home. Authorities have not said what they were trying to take from Clayton Whited.