Family remembers Jennifer Paxton as Oak Ridge murder trial continues

CLINTON, Tenn. (WATE) — Felony murder, aggravated rape, kidnapping, and abuse of a corpse are among the 13 counts Sean Finnegan faces as his trial jury decides if he is responsible for the murder of 36-year-old Jennifer Paxton.

After the jury left and went into deliberation , the judge brought three relatives of Paxton’s up to read victim impact statements.

“We didn’t just lose Jennifer, she was taken from us,” said Paxton’s cousin, Beverly Jeffers.

In a statement she wrote to read to the Jury after they reach their verdict, she details how this crime has changed her life.

“It was so hard on us, we knew Jennifer would not go for days and not contact me or any one of us. Then on August the 6 ^th , 2020, Patty, Jennifer’s mother, received a call no mother should have to get,” said Jeffers.

Paxton’s family said her murder broke them.

“Patty died in the hospital, still crying and suffering over what happened in the Finnegan Dishman home,” said Paxton’s mother’s cousin, Michelle McMahan. “She stated and questioned regularly how if she had been a better mom or if she had tried one more time to help her, if she could have prevented what happened to Jennifer.”

Another cousin, Brittany Payne, detailed how Paxton was like a sister to her.

“I have nightmares, I can’t sleep right. In this past week, I can’t even eat right. My whole world changed, turned upside down. I’ll never look at this world the same again,” said Payne.

If Finnegan is found guilty for felony murder their full statements will be read to the jury. They will be considered in his sentencing and if he should receive the death penalty.

The jury deliberated for 3 hours and will resume their deliberation Monday at 8:30 AM.

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