|
Weather |
|
|
|
Local
News |
|
|
|
___________
|
|
___________
AD RATES
___________
|
|
|
|
National
News |
|
|
|
TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2004
| |
Three Arraigned Thursday in Huntingdon Murder |
|
| |
| |
By Linda Bolton and Joel Washburn
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
| |
Huntingdon TN - Three shackled and handcuffed suspects
charged in the murder of 34-year-old David Tanksley
arrived at the Carroll County Courthouse Thursday, under
heavy guard, for arraignment proceedings in General
Sessions Court. Judge Larry Logan presided over the
arraignment which lasted less than 30 minutes.
Rick Dean Hanebutt, 42, of 98 Homestead, Huntingdon,
Ronald Leland Holland, 39, of 175 Miller Lane,
Huntingdon, and Tenesha Lashelle Brown-Davies, 26, of
370 Hidden Valley Circle, Lexington are each charged
with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first
degree murder. Hanebutt is additionally charged with one
count of attempted murder.
Holland was arrested at his home in Huntingdon,
according to a spokesperson at Carroll County Sheriff's
Department. Ms. Davies was arrested on I-40 in Madison
County and Hanebutt was arrested at Humphreys County
Jail, where he was being held on unrelated charges.
The charges were filed Wednesday after six weeks of
investigation by the Carroll County Sheriff's Department
and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Tanksley, of
Reagan, was staying with acquaintances in Carroll County
at the time of his mid-November disappearance, according
to Sheriff Bendell Bartholomew.
When asked the relationship between the three suspects
and the murder victim, Sheriff Bartholomew gave a one
word reply, "drugs."
Holland and Davies were transported from Carroll County
Jail where they had been held without bond prior to the
arraignment. Hanebutt was transported from Humphreys
County jail where he was being held on the other
charges. All three are now incarcerated at Carroll
County Jail.
Judge Logan read the charges made by TBI Agent Brian
Byrd on each of the three suspects, which stated they
jointly planned and participated in the death of David
Tanksley, initially shooting him and allowing him to
remain on the Holland Auto Salvage property alive for a
period of approximately 24 hours before ending his life
in a final gunshot. Holland's Auto Salvage, located near
Huntingdon on State Route 22 South, is owned by Leland
Holland.
One of seven warrants on file at Carroll County General
Sessions office provides some additional details
concerning the death of Mr. Tanksley. One warrant states
that during an altercation on or about November 21, Rick
Hanebutt attempted to kill Tanksley by shooting him in
the head at Holland's Auto Salvage.
"Hanebutt supplied a lengthy statement to investigators
in which he admitted shooting Tanksley in the head," the
warrant states. There was no indication in the warrants
who fired the fatal shot or whether it was also to
Tanksley's head.
Three of the warrants show Holland's Auto Salvage as the
place of employment for all three suspects. One of the
warrants lists Ms. Davies as a student at UT Martin.
The charges further stated that after the shooting,
Holland and Davies assisted Hanebutt by removing and
disposing of the body of David Tanksley and
participating in other measures for concealing and
facilitating the crime of murder in the first degree.
Because Mr. Hanebutt's case is one of potential death
penalty, Judge Logan denied bond. Hanebutt was not
represented by counsel at Thursday's proceedings and the
judge appointed the public defender's office to
represent him in all proceedings of the case.
Logan set bond for Holland and Davies at $250,000 each.
Attorney Ben Dempsey, who is representing Holland, had
argued that since he was a life-long resident, has
extensive family, has had a business in the area, and
had no previous criminal record, his bond to be set at
$100,000. Logan, however, rejected that amount and set
bond as noted. The case for hearing was set for February
5 in Carroll County General Sessions Court.
Ms. Davies told Judge Logan that her mother has
reportedly retained Attorney Steve Milam to represent
her. However, no attorney was present to represent her
on Thursday during arraignment. When contacted by the
Banner Friday, Milam's office would neither confirm nor
deny that he has been hired to represent Ms. Davies.
Tanksley's remains were recovered Sunday, January 11
from the Beech River near the Chesterfield Community in
Henderson County. His body was found wrapped in a tarp,
but authorities would give no further details of his
death at that time. He was sent to Memphis for autopsy.
Carroll and Henderson County Rescue Squads, Jackson
Police Department helicopter, and Henry County Sheriff's
Department assisted in search and recovery efforts.
Also assisting in investigating the murder case along
with CCSO and the TBI Criminal investigation division,
were State Bomb and Arson unit, TBI Forensics units, TBI
Drug Enforcement Division, 24th Judicial District
Violent Crime and Drug Task Force, and Henderson County
Sheriff's Department.
Ironically, an arrest record for David Tanksley on
September 21, 2003 at Carroll County Sheriff's
Department for driving on revoked/suspended license
states that Leland Holland should be contacted in case
of emergency. The record lists his relationship to
Leland Holland as "friend." Holland's Auto Salvage was
listed as Tanksley's employer at that time.
On December 20, 2003, Rick Hanebutt was charged with
possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance
(Methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia
at CCSO.
A spokesperson at Humphrey's County Sheriff's Department
said Hanebutt was charged in June 2003 with DUI, third
offense and Driving on Revoked, second offense. He made
bond and disappeared, she said. He was incarcerated
again at the facility on December 22 on the same charges
and remained there until Thursday when he was
transferred to Carroll County Jail on murder charges.
The body of an unidentified Hispanic man was also
recovered from Beech River on New Year's Day. However
authorities have stated the two cases are not related. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Council Postpones Action on Voting Wards, Library |
|
| |
Members of the McKenzie Council during their regular
meeting Thursday, January 22, agreed to postpone until
the next regular meeting on February 12 a decision
regarding reapportioned voting wards in McKenzie. The
decision was reached upon the recommendation of Mayor
Walter Winchester who advised MTAS (Municipal Technical
Advisory Service) has not yet provided specific numbers
of residents in the proposed wards.
Preliminary figures indicate six voting wards will be
comprised of a median number of 883 residents, stated
Mayor Winchester, who indicated an attempt is being made
at adjusting the divisions so that there is a difference
of no more than 20 to 30 residents between wards.
Also postponed was the issue of $1,000.00 requested by
the McKenzie Library to offset $1,000 in reduced
donations from Carroll County, which last year donated
$8,000 to the library. The Reelfoot Regional Library
system had indicated the shortfall puts the library at
risk of losing their standing as a member in the
regional system.
Vice-mayor Gene Hale stated, "We definitely don't want
the library closed."
Mayor Winchester advised the library would not be closed
but could lose books provided by the Reelfoot Regional
Library.
Vice-mayor Gene Hale initially suggested the balance of
the donation fund be subsidized with monies from the
general fund to derive the $1,000, however,
councilmembers Willie Huffman and Darra Adkins expressed
a desire to have specific information regarding the
number of customers served and additional knowledge of
programs offered by the library.
Mayor Winchester mentioned his intent to speak with
county officials to determine the possibility of making
the McKenzie Memorial Library a branch of the Carroll
County Library.
Asked Friday why the maintenance of effort requirement
applies to city and county government when the library
is a privately run entity, Ms. Susan Rogers, Director of
the Reelfoot Regional Library in Martin advised the city
and county renew a contractual agreement each year to
support the library. Mayor Winchester verified the
existence of the agreement.
The City of McKenzie approved last year to subsidize the
salary of the librarian at $6.50 per hour for a 30-hour
week.
In other business, the Council approved the solicitation
of bids for curbside collection and disposal of
residential and business solid waste based upon a new
contract submitted by MTAS. The contract, reportedly
some 25 pages long, is available at City Hall for
perusal. The current contract with Barker Brothers Waste
Company expires in May.
"Everybody interested can submit bids," stated Mayor
Winchester, who further indicated the bids would be
reviewed by MTAS to ensure compliance with contract
specifications.
Concerning the 2004 Freedom Festival fireworks display,
Councilmember Gene Hale recommended, and the Council
approved, an inquiry regarding costs for the fireworks,
which last year cost $6,000. Mr. Hale stated early
preparation could result in reduced expenses.
Mayor Winchester stated Pope Concessions personnel, who
supplied carnival services during McKenzie's Hometown
Christmas but who will be on tour in Kentucky during
July, agreed to refer other vendors to the city. He also
indicated he had talked with City "department heads"
regarding ideas for improving the festival.
Also approved was a $100 donation to Project Graduation.
Bills were approved for payment in the total amount of
$7,441.92 as follows: Gall's Inc. (uniforms and
operating supplies) - $641.83; Barge, Waggoner, Sumner
and Cannon (engineering costs for streets) - $2,143.80;
and Weakley County gas and Oil - $4,656.29.
Councilmember Darra Adkins reported equipment
recommended by low bidder NAFECO Company met or exceeded
bid specifications, resulting in purchase of ten sets of
turnout gear for the McKenzie Fire and Rescue
Department. The Council during their last regular
meeting had approved the purchase dependent upon meeting
bid specifications. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
These
stories and more exclusively in the
print edition: |
|
| |
|
|
| |
- Prospective Industry Looking at McKenzie
- Huntingdon High School Construction Too Expensive
- Early Voting for Presidential Primary Underway
- Purchases, Delinquent Tax Highlight Hollow Rock
Agenda
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
|
|
Advertisements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
