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BULLETIN: Sheriff Arrests 3 Suspects In Connection With Beating Elderly Couple

December 30, 2009

Less than 72 hours after a horrific home invasion in which an elderly veteran and his wife were beaten, brutalized and robbed in their rural Eagleville home, the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office has arrested three suspects.

Three Suspects Held Without Bond

36-year old Ronald W. Damon of 901 W. Main Street in Murfreesboro; 19-year old Ashton Garza of 5636 Constantine Drive in Rockvale; and 20-year old James Charles Pittard of 2198 West Green Hill Road in McMinnville. General Sessions Judge Ben Hall McFarlin ordered the three to be held at without bond at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. They return to General Sessions judge on Tuesday (1/5/2010).

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Each is charged with two counts of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, two counts of Aggravated Robbery and one count of Aggravated Burglary. More charges may accrue.

Cecil Story, an 86-year-old veteran of both World War II and Korea, and his 93-year-old wife, Edna, were both beaten about the face and head by the men, who knocked on their door at 661 Floyd Road late Sunday night.

Story, who was a navigator on B-29 bombers and C-46 cargo aircraft during both wars, received broken facial bones in the attack and was transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for advanced treatment.

Mrs. Story, who weighs just 60 pounds, was beaten around the head, and received a deep laceration to the bridge of her nose from being hit in the face with her glasses on. She also had deep lacerations to her wrists from the nylon rope used to bind the couple to chairs in their own kitchen.

The couple were both released from medical care later Monday.

Detective Captain Acton’s Observations

Detective Captain Preble Acton told WGNS News, “After an assiduous and comprehensive three day investigation, Detective Steve Kohler and Detective Bryant Gregory formally charged Ronnie Damon, Charles James Pittard and Ashton Garza with Aggravated Burglary( 1 count), Especially Aggravated Kidnapping(2 counts) and Aggravated Robbery(2 counts). This unit personalizes all criminal acts against innocent victims however; the heartless and callous nature of this incident created an urgency to arrest those responsible and restore a sense of security to the Eagleville community as well as to the citizens of Rutherford County.”

“The detectives and responding deputies were emotionally affected by the victims and what they were subjected to Sunday night. Emotions aside, the detective unit came together as professionals do; investigating leads, following those leads and ensuring that a solid case is presented before the Criminal Justice system. We are happy that the first phase of this case is completed. We assure the community that the detectives will be as diligent and tireless in the prosecutorial stages of this investigation.”

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Written by BartWalker · Filed Under News 

Comments

4 Responses to “BULLETIN: Sheriff Arrests 3 Suspects In Connection With Beating Elderly Couple”

  1. RDF on December 30th, 2009 9:38 pm

    Thanks to the detectives in the Rutherford County Sheriffs office. My hat is off to you folks. Great job.

  2. Roxanne on December 30th, 2009 9:54 pm

    Whoever did this terrible crime should be put under the jail. I know Mr. and Mrs. Story, and they are such a sweet and caring couple.

  3. Phillip on December 30th, 2009 10:32 pm

    Under the jail… too good for them…..how about cutting their heads off and putting them on a fence post….then setting fire to their bodies…all done in public..of course.

    Then maybe the scum of Rutherford Co. will think twice about pulling another stunt like this.

  4. Old Bill on December 30th, 2009 11:47 pm

    WHATTTT ? !? ! ? The charge is not Attempted First Degree MURDER ? ? ? If found guilty, Hanging, drawing, and Quartering would be far to lenient for these Vermin.

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