Post by BentyProDP on May 19, 2005 11:51:41 GMT -5
IF this doesn't change your opinion about the DP, then nothing will....Slain family was beaten, strangledBy Candice Combs, Staff Writer
The Chattanooga Times Free PressChattanooga, TN - A Hixson man charged in three killings apparently cut his home's telephone lines and covered outdoor lighting before beating his wife and strangling their two children, police records show.
"This is truly a community tragedy," said Sgt. Tom Layne, spokesman for the Chatta-nooga Police Department. "The hearts of the Chatta-nooga Police Department go out to all the families involved."
On Monday, police found the bodies of Andrea Pope, 36, her son Christian, who was 5 weeks old, and Brianna Justice, her 13-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. Mrs. Pope's husband, Tony Pope, 36, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Hamilton County medical examiner Dr. Frank King on Wednesday released a preliminary report that shows Mrs. Pope was beaten about the head, causing "open lacerations, contusions through the skin and skull." Investigators found her dead in the laundry room of the couple's Helena Drive home Monday night.
In a confession to police, Mr. Pope said he hit his wife in the head with a hammer and after she fell he kicked her in the stomach, according to an affidavit of complaint.
"A very violent man is now in custody," Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks said.
After the death of Mrs. Pope, 13-year-old Brianna was strangled and beaten, according to the preliminary medical examiner's report. She, too, had been hit in the chest and had abrasions on her thigh and forearm, the report shows.
Brianna's biological father, Barry Moody, a resident of Walker County, Ga., who was in Indiana when he learned of his daughter's death, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The infant was strangled and suffered "multiple blunt force injuries" to his jaw, chest, stomach and back of his head, the report states. The brown-haired, blue-eyed child weighed 8 pounds, according to the report.
In 1995, Mr. Pope confessed to fatally beating his girlfriend, 40-year-old Susan Yarbrough, at the home they shared on MacDonald Drive in East Ridge. Mr. Pope pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released on parole six years later and in 2004 had a new family, according to Chief Eddie Phillips of the East Ridge Police Department.
Early Tuesday morning, Chattanooga police took Mr. Pope into custody as he arrived for work at the East Chattanooga Lumber Co., according to Sgt. Layne. He said a "majority" of the department's resources were involved in looking for Mr. Pope, and officers contacted everyone known to have had dealings with the Hixson man.
"We were glad to bring such a rapid closure to this case," Sgt. Layne said.
In an affidavit of complaint, Investigator James Tate indicated Mr. Pope had planned the crime, going as far as cutting the telephone lines and covering an outside light's motion sensor with a towel to prevent it from coming on.
Police went to the Popes' duplex when Mrs. Pope's brother-in-law, Chris Burton, called 911 and asked for a check on the well-being of the occupants, the affidavit states. Mr. Burton did not return telephone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
Family members had become worried when they didn't hear from Mrs. Pope and the children, Mr. Tate stated in his report. Mrs. Pope had told relatives that she planned to leave her husband and file for divorce, according to Mr. Tate.
According to the affidavit, Mr. Burton went to the family's home Monday, where he spoke with Mr. Pope around 9:30 p.m. Mr. Pope said his wife had left with a friend. After Mr. Burton got home, he called Mr. Pope, who did not answer.
A few minutes later, Mr. Pope called the worried Mr. Burton back, and told him Mrs. Pope was in the laundry room.
E-mail Candice Combs at ccombs@timesfreepress.com
KEY POINTS
* Preliminary medical examiner report findings show Andrea Pope was beaten, Brianna Justice and Christian Pope were strangled.
* Two additional charges of first-degree murder were levied against Tony Pope on Wednesday for the deaths of Brianna Justice, 13, and Christian Pope, 5 weeks old.
* An affidavit of complaint indicates Tony Pope planned the alleged crime.
The Chattanooga Times Free PressChattanooga, TN - A Hixson man charged in three killings apparently cut his home's telephone lines and covered outdoor lighting before beating his wife and strangling their two children, police records show.
"This is truly a community tragedy," said Sgt. Tom Layne, spokesman for the Chatta-nooga Police Department. "The hearts of the Chatta-nooga Police Department go out to all the families involved."
On Monday, police found the bodies of Andrea Pope, 36, her son Christian, who was 5 weeks old, and Brianna Justice, her 13-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. Mrs. Pope's husband, Tony Pope, 36, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Hamilton County medical examiner Dr. Frank King on Wednesday released a preliminary report that shows Mrs. Pope was beaten about the head, causing "open lacerations, contusions through the skin and skull." Investigators found her dead in the laundry room of the couple's Helena Drive home Monday night.
In a confession to police, Mr. Pope said he hit his wife in the head with a hammer and after she fell he kicked her in the stomach, according to an affidavit of complaint.
"A very violent man is now in custody," Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks said.
After the death of Mrs. Pope, 13-year-old Brianna was strangled and beaten, according to the preliminary medical examiner's report. She, too, had been hit in the chest and had abrasions on her thigh and forearm, the report shows.
Brianna's biological father, Barry Moody, a resident of Walker County, Ga., who was in Indiana when he learned of his daughter's death, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The infant was strangled and suffered "multiple blunt force injuries" to his jaw, chest, stomach and back of his head, the report states. The brown-haired, blue-eyed child weighed 8 pounds, according to the report.
In 1995, Mr. Pope confessed to fatally beating his girlfriend, 40-year-old Susan Yarbrough, at the home they shared on MacDonald Drive in East Ridge. Mr. Pope pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released on parole six years later and in 2004 had a new family, according to Chief Eddie Phillips of the East Ridge Police Department.
Early Tuesday morning, Chattanooga police took Mr. Pope into custody as he arrived for work at the East Chattanooga Lumber Co., according to Sgt. Layne. He said a "majority" of the department's resources were involved in looking for Mr. Pope, and officers contacted everyone known to have had dealings with the Hixson man.
"We were glad to bring such a rapid closure to this case," Sgt. Layne said.
In an affidavit of complaint, Investigator James Tate indicated Mr. Pope had planned the crime, going as far as cutting the telephone lines and covering an outside light's motion sensor with a towel to prevent it from coming on.
Police went to the Popes' duplex when Mrs. Pope's brother-in-law, Chris Burton, called 911 and asked for a check on the well-being of the occupants, the affidavit states. Mr. Burton did not return telephone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
Family members had become worried when they didn't hear from Mrs. Pope and the children, Mr. Tate stated in his report. Mrs. Pope had told relatives that she planned to leave her husband and file for divorce, according to Mr. Tate.
According to the affidavit, Mr. Burton went to the family's home Monday, where he spoke with Mr. Pope around 9:30 p.m. Mr. Pope said his wife had left with a friend. After Mr. Burton got home, he called Mr. Pope, who did not answer.
A few minutes later, Mr. Pope called the worried Mr. Burton back, and told him Mrs. Pope was in the laundry room.
E-mail Candice Combs at ccombs@timesfreepress.com
KEY POINTS
* Preliminary medical examiner report findings show Andrea Pope was beaten, Brianna Justice and Christian Pope were strangled.
* Two additional charges of first-degree murder were levied against Tony Pope on Wednesday for the deaths of Brianna Justice, 13, and Christian Pope, 5 weeks old.
* An affidavit of complaint indicates Tony Pope planned the alleged crime.