GUILTY GA - Gloria, 54, & Caleb Short, 17, Gianna Lindsey, 10, slain, Upatoi, 4 Jan 2016

[fraudqueen]

This is so sad and seems so strange. Thanks for all the posts, can't believe the national news hasn't carried this case. Two cars being stolen also, this just doesn't all fit. Maybe I missed it, how far away were the cars found?

 

[Backwoods]

This is so sad and seems so strange. Thanks for all the posts, can't believe the national news hasn't carried this case. Two cars being stolen also, this just doesn't all fit. Maybe I missed it, how far away were the cars found?

You're welcome, and thanks for expressing that -- I've worried that maybe I seemed to be spamming with all the posting. But I, like you, find this such a sad and strange case...and it is not terribly far away from me, also. I do think there has been a bit of national news coverage, but not extensive.

Here's what I found about the cars. If someone wanted to map the area, we could look at that -- I'm not too good at that!

...Columbus Police Maj. Gil Slouchick said this morning that investigators were still examining the crime scene as well as the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle and 2004 GMC Envoy reported that was reported stolen from the home early Monday.

Police Lt. Greg Touchberry said the VW was found Monday afternoon in Rigdon Park on Howe Avenue, and the Envoy at Broadmoor Drive and Cindy Drive.......

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article53467600.html

 

[Backwoods]

Columbus police charge two in Bentley Drive triple homicides


Columbus police have charged two suspects in the Jan. 4 triple homicide that shocked the city.

Jervarceay Tapley, 17, was arrested Monday on charges of murder and auto theft, according to jail records. The name of the second suspect hasn't been released....

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article54398085.html

It sounds as if there will be a press conference tomorrow with maybe more details.

A 17-year-old .... How sad. And a suspect whose name has not yet been made public.

ETA: Additional coverage:

[h=3]UPDATE: Name of teen suspect released in GA triple murder investigation; 1 other arrested[/h]...Police say one of the suspects, 17-year-old Jevarceay Tapley, is charged with three counts of murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, burglary, and two counts of theft by motor vehicle.

Officials say the other suspect was sent to the Harris County Jail. They have not released his name at this time....

more at: http://www.wtvm.com/story/30950487/...ct-released-in-ga-triple-murder-investigation

 

[Backwoods]

Oh, man, this is a tangled one...I don't mean in the sense of being a "complicated" crime, but in terms of human emotions. And what is the motive here...some possibles are suggested in one of the articles.

The "cousin" in some statements turns out to be a misnomer, but there are strong connections to the family.

Police chief releases names of suspects in triple homicide

...Investigators have arrested Raheam Daniel Gibson, 19, and Jervarceay Tapley, 17, and both have been charged with three counts of murder, burglary, possessing a knife during a crime and theft by taking two motor vehicles....

..."This case was directed at that house," Boren said. "There's a very strong possibility that more arrests will take place."

Investigators could not locate any forced entry of the house, Boren said. ...

...Officials are in possession of "a lot of electronic as well as physical evidence," Boren said. He confirmed they do believe they have the weapon....

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article54447920.html

Homicide victims' family reacts to arrests

..."They are surprised, angry and excited - if you can understand - that people have been apprehended and justice will be served," said Johnny King, the boyfriend of Shameika Averett, who spoke on the family's behalf. "The police department assured us that we would know before the public. And they did call us in to let us know that they had two suspects. They said more arrests would be made soon."...

...One of the two suspects is Jervarceay Tapley, 17, who was the stepson of Robert Averett, Short's brother, who died of a heart attack after learning of the homicides. Tapley lived with Averett and his grandmother, Margaret Williams, who was Averett's live-in girlfriend, said his mother, Rachel Tapley....

...Police notified the family of Tapley's alleged involvement a few days ago, King said, and asked them to keep it "on the hush hush."

"We were shocked because he always seemed to be such a good person," he said. "I've dealt with him on several occasions. I've never seen any type of aggression or a jealous spirit in him. But, again, I'm only around him in partial times. I'm not around him all day, every day."...

...He said Tapley stopped by a relative’s home to pay respects to the family a day after the gruesome crime occurred.

"I actually embraced him and hugged him the day after he killed my little girl," King said. "That's the thing I'm having a hard time dealing with."...

...When asked why the house might have been targeted, King said: "All I can think of is jealousy, and just pure evil."...

more at:http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/article54503755.html#storylink=mainstage

Suspect's mom says he was home during triple homicide

...One of the suspects in the triple homicide of Gloria Short, Caleb Short and Gianna Lindsey was home at the time of the brutal attacks, according to Jervarceay Tapley's mother, Rachel Tapley....

...Tapley's mother was among those at Wednesday's news conference where Police Chief Ricky Boren discussed the arrests.

Rachel Tapley was accompanied by her attorney, Shevon Thomas, when she spoke to a Ledger-Enquirer reporter....

...Rachel Tapley claimed Wednesday that Tapley had nothing to do with the crime and was at home with Averett and Williams when the homicides occurred. She said he found out after receiving a news alert on his phone.

"He had a close relationship with the whole family," she said. "They used to go out there and pick him up, bring him over there to the house. Him and Caleb were game freaks. They used to stay up all night playing a video game. They took him down to the Iron Bowl, Auburn championship and everything."

But she said Tapley hasn't seen Caleb Short in over a year....

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article54473995.html#storylink=mainstage

 

[Backwoods]

The link below may not remain current, but for now it will take you to a page with videos relating to the arrests (police chief's remarks, district attorney, suspect Tapley's mother and attorney):

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/article54526850.html

 

[DropthePuck]

To Backwoods:

Totally OT, but Dottie is very cute!

 

[Backwoods]

To Backwoods:

Totally OT, but Dottie is very cute!

Thank you! I will tell her you said so.


Here are some new items on the case:

Community reacts to Upatoi murder arrests

... "It felt wonderful. Our family has been waiting for this for the last few days and we knew that the police department was on the right track," said Shameika Averett, mother of Gianna Lindsey and daughter of Gloria Short....

...Chief Ricky Boren of the Columbus police announced at a press conference that it's possible more people will also be arrested. "At (least??) one of them surfaced real early into this investigation. The victimology took us into the direction of people we believed were directly involved in this. We had to wait until a little later to actually arrest them to corroborate things we already knew," said Chief Ricky Boren. ...

...Police on Tuesday were able to release the home of Gloria and Caleb Short back to family members, who are now trying to heal from the pain of losing their loved ones. ...

http://www.wtvm.com/story/30961654/community-reacts-to-upatoi-murder-arrests

Family wants community to forgive triple murder suspects

...On Wednesday during a press conference held by the Columbus Police Department, the media learned 17-year-old Jervarceay Tapley, who was arrested for the triple murder, was like family to the victims even though he wasn't a blood relative.

“I have forgiven them in my heart. It is my desire in my heart that the family forgive, that the community forgive and through faith in our God it helps us to heal through forgiveness," says Bishop Kevin Jones, Gloria Short's oldest son.

Tapley was friends with Caleb but Gloria's brother said he suspected him all along.

“My sister bought Tapley clothes, got his hair cut when he was with Caleb, she treated him like he was her own child,” said Kevin....

...Averett says scholarships are being set up through the two youngest victims' schools....

more at: http://www.wtvm.com/story/30961523/family-wants-community-to-forgive-triple-murder-suspects

 

[katydid23]

That is so heartbreaking that it was done by someone who was so trusted by the family. It makes it even more evil, in my opinion. Someone who was treated kindly and with love and generosity, could then kill a 10 yr old child, and a close friend, and the woman who had mothered and nurtured him? So tragic.

 

[katydid23]

Suspect's mom says he was home during triple homicide

...One of the suspects in the triple homicide of Gloria Short, Caleb Short and Gianna Lindsey was home at the time of the brutal attacks, according to Jervarceay Tapley's mother, Rachel Tapley....

...Tapley's mother was among those at Wednesday's news conference where Police Chief Ricky Boren discussed the arrests.

Rachel Tapley was accompanied by her attorney, Shevon Thomas, when she spoke to a Ledger-Enquirer reporter....

...Rachel Tapley claimed Wednesday that Tapley had nothing to do with the crime and was at home with Averett and Williams when the homicides occurred. She said he found out after receiving a news alert on his phone.

"He had a close relationship with the whole family," she said. "They used to go out there and pick him up, bring him over there to the house. Him and Caleb were game freaks. They used to stay up all night playing a video game. They took him down to the Iron Bowl, Auburn championship and everything."

But she said Tapley hasn't seen Caleb Short in over a year....

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/...link=mainstage
====================================================================

Here is Tapey's mother, standing alongside their attorney. The attorney says nothing about Tapley having an alibi….

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/article54526850.html

 

[Backwoods]

That is so heartbreaking that it was done by someone who was so trusted by the family. It makes it even more evil, in my opinion. Someone who was treated kindly and with love and generosity, could then kill a 10 yr old child, and a close friend, and the woman who had mothered and nurtured him? So tragic.

I have a hard time imagining what happened here. I mean, was the plan to rob and "something went terribly wrong" or was the plan to kill, all along? Of course, either way, same horrible result...but I find myself wondering.

One thing I noticed is that "possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony" in the first reports about the charges was later changed to "possession of a knife". I keep thinking about all the cryptic stuff regarding the autopsy, early on -- and now I'm wondering if the victims also had knife wounds...? The police chief seemed to confirm today that blunt force trauma was the cause of death and that LE believes they have "the weapon" -- which, surely, with BFT isn't a knife -- in possession.

And these two young suspects -- if they are indeed guilty of this crime -- they take TWO vehicles and dump them? What in the world were they thinking...? What is the point? I guess maybe there's NOT one. It just boggles my mind. So awful.

My heart goes out to all the family of the victims, of course...but somehow today I have been especially thinking about the husband/father/grandfather who found the scene. What a horrible, unthinkable thing to come home to. And I know he had to be on some radars, for a bit at least, as being involved. God bless him...he's lost his world.

 

[Trident]

Suspect's mom says he was home during triple homicide

...One of the suspects in the triple homicide of Gloria Short, Caleb Short and Gianna Lindsey was home at the time of the brutal attacks, according to Jervarceay Tapley's mother, Rachel Tapley....

...Tapley's mother was among those at Wednesday's news conference where Police Chief Ricky Boren discussed the arrests.

Rachel Tapley was accompanied by her attorney, Shevon Thomas, when she spoke to a Ledger-Enquirer reporter....

...Rachel Tapley claimed Wednesday that Tapley had nothing to do with the crime and was at home with Averett and Williams when the homicides occurred. She said he found out after receiving a news alert on his phone.

"He had a close relationship with the whole family," she said. "They used to go out there and pick him up, bring him over there to the house. Him and Caleb were game freaks. They used to stay up all night playing a video game. They took him down to the Iron Bowl, Auburn championship and everything."

But she said Tapley hasn't seen Caleb Short in over a year....

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/...link=mainstage
====================================================================

Here is Tapey's mother, standing alongside their attorney. The attorney says nothing about Tapley having an alibi….

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/article54526850.html

Ms Tapley, the mother of one of the alleged perps, looked like she had better things to do, like getting her nails done or something, than standing there while her attorney spoke to the media. The boredom and lack of feeling she exhibited gave me goose bumps, like walking alone on a dark night through an evil place. There is something so wrong here.

My opinion only

 

[Backwoods]

Ms Tapley, the mother of one of the alleged perps, looked like she had better things to do, like getting her nails done or something, than standing there while her attorney spoke to the media. The boredom and lack of feeling she exhibited gave me goose bumps, like walking alone on a dark night through an evil place. There is something so wrong here.

My opinion only

Wow, I really didn't read her attitude that way. She looked sort of shell-shocked to me. JMO.

Here's some items from today:

Who are the suspects arrested in the Upatoi triple murder?


...One of the suspects, Raheam Gibson has previous criminal charges. Gibson was sentenced to probation two years ago with theft by taking, criminal trespass and obstruction....

...Tapley, a junior in high school does not have a criminal history. Family and friends say he has never been in trouble with the law....

more at: http://www.wtvm.com/story/30965285/who-are-the-suspects-arrested-in-the-upatoi-triple-murder

Also, looks as if that station has brought together its coverage of this case thus far at one link:

http://www.wtvm.com/category/309315/special-coverage-upatoi-triple-murder-investigation

Father of teen arrested in Upatoi triple murders speaks out

..."The first thing he said was 'dad i haven't lost my strength, i'm still strong get me a lawyer' because they're steady trying to make him admit something that he didn't do" said Williams.

The father said he's spoken with his son once since being arrested on January 12th. Javerceay has given police his DNA, phone records and even clothing from his room to be taken for analysis according to Williams.

"He's ready to take a lie-detector test, why don't they show Columbus that?" said Williams....

more at: http://www.wltz.com/story/30970123/father-of-teen-arrested-in-upatoi-triple-murders-speaks-out

 

[Backwoods]

[h=1]Court hearing: Victims of triple homicide suffered extreme trauma to the head, stab wounds[/h]During a 35-minute hearing before a packed courtroom Friday, detectives testified one of the two teens charged in the brutal Jan. 4 homicides of three people told police the pair walked more than 20 miles to the victims’ Bentley Drive home in northeast Columbus, where they stole clothing and jewelry.

Detective Alan Malone told Recorder’s Court Judge Mary Buckner that investigators recovered clothing and jewelry stolen from 3057 Bentley Drive while searching the home of suspect Jervarceay Tapley, 17....

...On Jan. 6, Gibson’s mother called 911 to report her daughter had told her Gibson was involved in the homicides, Malone said. The suspect cooperated with police when questioned, and implicated Tapley in the crime, the officer said.

Gibson told police a third individual he did not know also went into the Bentley Drive home that night with Tapley, while he waited outside, said Malone, who later testified that Gibson admitted taking one of two vehicles stolen from the home....

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article54891465.html

So there WERE knife wounds.

Lord, what a savage, senseless crime...

 

[Backwoods]

Relatives pack courtroom for triple homicide hearing


...Sheriff’s deputies escorted Short’s husband, Robert; daughters, Shameika Averett and Lindsey Roberson; and other family members into the courtroom about a half hour before the hearing began. The family occupied two rows at the front of the gallery and listened intently as Detective Alan Malone described a gruesome scene in which all three victims were brutally beaten and Gloria Short and Gianna Lindsey were stabbed. He accused Tapley and Gibson of breaking into the house for items and clothes belonging to Caleb....

...Johnny King, Averett’s boyfriend, spoke to the Ledger-Enquirer on behalf of the family after the proceedings....

...King said the family went to the hearing to show solidarity on behalf of the three victims.

“We wanted to see the suspects, look them in the face and let them know that the loved ones that they took away had a large support of family and friends,” he said. “We plan on being there every step of the way.”...

...Also at the hearing were Tapley’s mother, Rachel Tapley; his father, Christopher Williams; and his grandmother, Margaret Williams, who arrived in a wheelchair. Williams is the girlfriend of Gloria Short’s brother, Robert Averett, who died of a heart attack after learning of the slayings. Jervarceay Tapley lived with the couple at their 4125 Calhoun Drive home and grew up as a friend of Caleb.

Margaret Williams said in an interview with the Ledger-Enquirer that Tapley was home with her at the time of the slayings watching DVDs up in his room. She came to the hearing to support him.

“It’s all a surprise to me,” she said of the charges. “I don’t understand.”

Rachel Tapley said her son was close to the Short family and it’s hard for her to believe he would do the things he’s accused of.

“He been knowing them for years, they never had no problems out of him,” she said. “He cared about them, just as much as they cared about him. He even went to the funeral home with his grandmother for Caleb and them and then he went to his granddaddy’s funeral....

...If the Short family, or Miss Gloria, did something for him, they did it out of the kindness of their heart. It’s not like we were calling them asking for haircuts or clothes...".

...She said Tapley was living with Averett and Williams because he didn’t like the school system in Valley, Ala., where she lives....

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/article54929825.html


Raw Video: Two suspects in triple homicide appear in court Friday afternoon

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/article54959765.html

​

 

[katydid23]

"Margaret Williams said in an interview with the Ledger-Enquirer that Tapley was home with her at the time of the slayings watching DVDs up in his room. She came to the hearing to support him."

That doesn't sound like a very solid alibi to me. If my teen is 'upstairs in his room, watching DVDs,' then in reality, he can be anywhere.

 

[Backwoods]

A family savaged by another horrendous Columbus-area murder 30 years ago speaks out about the recent triple-murder and their own experiences. Good, though very sad, read:

'You never get over it': Thirty years after the bush-ax murders, the Johnsons continue advocacy for families affected by violent crime

...About 30 years have passed since the Johnsons' pregnant daughter, 24-year-old Ann Curry, her 4-year-old daughter, Erika, and 20-month-old son, Ryan, were hacked to death in a triple homicide known as the bush-ax murders. The incident occurred Aug. 29, 1985, at their daughter's 5433 Rockhurst Drive residence, and their son-in-law, Michael Lee Curry, was convicted of the crime 25 years later....

...The Johnsons, who have dedicated the past 30 years to advocating on behalf of other families affected by violent crime, are now grieving for another family.

On Jan. 4, which would have been Ann's 55th birthday, they woke up to news that there had been yet another triple homicide in Columbus. The victims in that case were Gloria Short, 54; her son, Caleb, 17; and her granddaughter, Gianna Lindsey, 10. ...

...James said he was speechless when he heard the news, which was eerily similar to what his family experienced 30 years ago.

"A family member, or a family friend, killing a family member, you don't understand it," he said.

Bernice said it's beyond comprehension what the Shorts are experiencing. She thought about contacting the family but felt it wasn't the right time because they are still in shock and probably not ready for the conversation.

However, the Johnsons' hearts go out to the family, she said. And she hopes the Shorts will eventually get help through the Victims Witness Assistance program at the district attorney's office and the local chapter of a victims' advocacy group called VOCAL, which she and her husband started after their tragedy....

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article56322040.html

 

[Backwoods]

There's been a third arrest in this case:

Fifteen-year-old boy charged in triple homicide

A third teenager has been charged in the Jan. 4 homicides of Gloria Short, her son and granddaughter.

The unidentified 15-year-old will face three counts of murder, two counts of auto theft and one count each of burglary and using a knife to commit a crime, police said. ...

​

more at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article58316083.html

 

[Backwoods]

Family members speak after recent Upatoi murder arrest

It's been one month to the day since Gloria Short, her son Caleb Short, and her granddaughter Gianna Lindsey were killed in their Upatoi home. Now police have arrested a third and final suspect in the murders.

A family member tells News Leader 9 they're thankful to investigators for making sure all the suspects are off the streets and behind bars.

The third suspect is an unnamed 15-year-old male who faces three counts of murder charges....

Johnny King is the fiance of Gianna Lindsey's mother....

...King says losing their loved ones has turned their world upside down.

"Her daily routine was picking up Gianna from school and taking her to school every morning so all that is changed. We try to go to the gym and do something different. She cries every morning. She's so used to talking to her mom everyday and they were very close. All our lives are totally changed now," said King.

more at: http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/31146790/family-members-speak-after-recent-upatoi-murder-arrest

Report: Name released of 15-year-old suspect in Upatoi murder

http://www.wlox.com/story/31149430/report-name-released-of-15-year-old-suspect-in-upatoi-murder

'Sole of my Footprint' honors Board Member Gloria Short

The memory of the oldest victim of the Upatoi triple murders, Gloria Short is being kept alive by a Columbus nonprofit.

Family members say the nonprofit organization, The Sole of My Footprint was near and dear to Gloria Short....

...The Soul of My Footprint takes shoes to the villages of Africa and gives them to children who never owned a pair of shoes. The organization remembered their friend with the first Gloria Short free shoe giveaway named in her honor on Saturday at the Columbus Community Center. This was a first for the organization....

more at: http://www.wtvm.com/story/31158313/sole-of-my-footprint-honors-board-member-gloria-short

 

[0101ABA]

Police say 3 were killed over clothes, video games, $600 cash

Shirts, pants, a jacket, several pairs of Nike sneakers, a box of coins, six video games and a game console were the goods stolen during the horrific Jan. 4 homicides of Gloria Short, her son and 10-year-old granddaughter, a Columbus police detective testified Monday.

Detective Alan Malone was the only witness in the preliminary hearing for 15-yeear-old Rufus Lanard Burks, the third teen charged with three counts of murder in the beating deaths of Short, 54; Caleb Short, 17; and Gianna Lindsey, 10, in the Shorts’ home at 3057 Bentley Drive in Upatoi.

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article59186233.html

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Judge sets date for Upatoi triple murder trial

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/crime/article154586424.html

Judge McBride tentatively set the trial for Sept. 12, with jury selection to begin at 9 a.m. He told attorneys Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 also were available, should the case be delayed.

He set Aug. 16 and 17 for pretrial hearings, during which he’ll hear Burks’ attorney Jennifer Curry argue for a change of venue, among other motions.

Curry also has asked that her client undergo a mental evaluation at West Central Georgia Regional Hospital. McBride already has approved that, but the hospital asked for additional information before starting Burks’ interviews.

Remembering Upatoi triple murder victims one year later - January 2017