Murder, arson case under way in Lee
Suspects arrested after driving to Michigan
By MIKE HOYEM, [email protected]
Published by news-press.com on August 12, 2003
It must have been a long, smelly trip: five people with about 20 cats and dogs driving from Fort Myers to Flint, Mich.
But it’s a trip prosecutors say Chauncey Thomas was willing to make to try to get away with murder.
Unfortunately for Thomas, the animals got him arrested after he got there.
Thomas — who, according to court records is either 35, 36 or 38 years old — went on trial Monday in Lee Circuit Court on charges of second-degree murder, arson and grand theft auto.
He’s accused of killing William Amidon, 50, whose body was found burned beyond recognition in an east Fort Myers house on Sept. 14, 2001.
Fort Myers police have said they believe Amidon was at the home of co-defendant Shantae Dennis when an argument erupted that may have involved drugs.
He was stabbed to death before his body — and a bedroom — were set on fire.
During his opening statement, defense attorney J.L. “Ray” LeGrande didn’t deny Thomas was at the house. But he insisted Thomas did not kill Amidon.
Among the first witnesses was Sgt. Jeff Mabry of the Flint Police Department, who said he was on patrol when he was told to go to a home where animal control officers were trying to remove some dogs.
Tempers were flaring, Mabry said, so he was asked to assist.
Mabry said police checked the license plate of a 2000 Chevrolet Impala that Thomas and Dennis were loading their belongings into.
The car, he said, was Amidon’s and was listed as stolen. So Thomas and Dennis, 25, were arrested.
According to Assistant State Attorney Brian Edwards, Thomas and Dennis drove to Flint — with three other people and the pack of animals — to stay with Dennis’ relatives.
When police searched the car, they found a steak knife in it as well as lighter fluid.
David Lepper, an investigator with the state fire marshal’s office, began to tell jurors he suspected an accelerant such as gas or lighter fluid helped start the fire.
But LeGrande objected to what he called speculation.
“Sir, in your investigation, did you find evidence of accelerant?” LeGrande asked on cross-examination.
“No sir,” Lepper said.
Suspects arrested after driving to Michigan
By MIKE HOYEM, [email protected]
Published by news-press.com on August 12, 2003
It must have been a long, smelly trip: five people with about 20 cats and dogs driving from Fort Myers to Flint, Mich.
But it’s a trip prosecutors say Chauncey Thomas was willing to make to try to get away with murder.
Unfortunately for Thomas, the animals got him arrested after he got there.
Thomas — who, according to court records is either 35, 36 or 38 years old — went on trial Monday in Lee Circuit Court on charges of second-degree murder, arson and grand theft auto.
He’s accused of killing William Amidon, 50, whose body was found burned beyond recognition in an east Fort Myers house on Sept. 14, 2001.
Fort Myers police have said they believe Amidon was at the home of co-defendant Shantae Dennis when an argument erupted that may have involved drugs.
He was stabbed to death before his body — and a bedroom — were set on fire.
During his opening statement, defense attorney J.L. “Ray” LeGrande didn’t deny Thomas was at the house. But he insisted Thomas did not kill Amidon.
Among the first witnesses was Sgt. Jeff Mabry of the Flint Police Department, who said he was on patrol when he was told to go to a home where animal control officers were trying to remove some dogs.
Tempers were flaring, Mabry said, so he was asked to assist.
Mabry said police checked the license plate of a 2000 Chevrolet Impala that Thomas and Dennis were loading their belongings into.
The car, he said, was Amidon’s and was listed as stolen. So Thomas and Dennis, 25, were arrested.
According to Assistant State Attorney Brian Edwards, Thomas and Dennis drove to Flint — with three other people and the pack of animals — to stay with Dennis’ relatives.
When police searched the car, they found a steak knife in it as well as lighter fluid.
David Lepper, an investigator with the state fire marshal’s office, began to tell jurors he suspected an accelerant such as gas or lighter fluid helped start the fire.
But LeGrande objected to what he called speculation.
“Sir, in your investigation, did you find evidence of accelerant?” LeGrande asked on cross-examination.
“No sir,” Lepper said.
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