AL - Gene Emory Dacus, 85, burned to death, Birmingham, 17 August 2016

0101ABA

Former Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2015
Messages
7,163
Reaction score
7,553
A teen neighbor of an elderly Korean War veteran found burned to death in the back yard of his North Birmingham home is now charged in the brutal slaying.

Thomas Sims, an 18-year-old already awaiting trial in connection with an armed carjacking earlier this year, is charged with capital murder and held on no bond. He is charged in the killing of 85-year-old Gene Emory Dacus, affectionately called "Mr. Gene" by his neighbors.

Authorities said the capital murder charge stems from the theft of the victim's truck. Detectives are actively searching for a second suspect.

"We'd appreciate it if he would go ahead and turn himself in,'' said Birmingham police Lt. Sean Edwards. "This heinous act was totally senseless and totally unnecessary. Based on Mr. Dacus' reputation, he would have given you his last."

http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/08/teen_neighbor_charged_with_cap.html
 
attachment.php

'Somebody burned up Mr. Gene' -- Community struggles with the murder of beloved war veteran


An 85-year-old Korean War veteran found burned to death in the back yard of his North Birmingham home spent his life taking care of others, friends and family said.

Gene Emory Dacus, known affectionately by his neighbors as "Mr. Gene," served his country in the U.S. Army, served his family by loving them, teaching them and taking care of them, and served his neighbors by cutting their grass, picking up trash and being their friend. "He was the most kindhearted gentleman you ever met,'' said Gary Dacus, one of the victim's three sons. " He never met a stranger, and he helped anybody he could."
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/08/somebody_had_burned_up_mr_gene.html
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    35.3 KB · Views: 50
all you can do is weep when you read this one......
 
An elderly Korean War veteran found burned in the back yard of his North Birmingham home was stabbed before being set on fire, according to newly-released court records.

(...)

An affidavit used to secure the warrant against Sims said that he killed Dacus during the theft of the victim's Dodge pickup truck, as well as Dacus' wallet. "Thomas Laneal Sims was armed with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, to-wit, a knife and while doing so did intentionally cause the death of Gene Dacus, to wit, by stabbing and/or burning him."

Birmingham police last week said they were searching for a possible second person of interest, but said today they believe Sims is the lone suspect.
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/08/elderly_korean_war_veteran_was.html
 
attachment.php

'Somebody burned up Mr. Gene' -- Community struggles with the murder of beloved war veteran



http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/08/somebody_had_burned_up_mr_gene.html

Bless his heart. I was taking care of the Elderly when I retired. There's no other job more rewarding. He was a Vet, survived the war, just to die such a horrible death. They (the elderly) gave us our yesterdays, we can give them our tomorrows. :( Off to cry now. These stories break my heart! :(
 

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
70
Guests online
722
Total visitors
792

Forum statistics

Threads
589,922
Messages
17,927,695
Members
228,002
Latest member
zipperoni
Back
Top