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Top Stories Man charged in beating death
| Man charged in beating death |
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| Written by Beth Pleming |
| Thursday, 29 October 2009 20:48 |
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Police identify body found in Fines Creek A 27-year-old Clyde man is being charged with murder in the slaying of a body found Monday in the Fines Creek area off Panther Town Road. Matthew Robert Caldwell was taken into custody Wednesday morning, confined to the Haywood County Jail under $250,000 bond and is accused of murdering Jesse Lee Parker, 44, also of Clyde. State prosecutors are reviewing evidence to determine if the case will proceed as first- or second-degree murder. Autopsy reports released Wednesday afternoon determined Parker died of blunt force trauma to the back of the head, Haywood County Sheriff Bobby Suttles said. Parker’s lifeless, naked body was laying about 25 to 30 feet over an embankment off Panther Town Road near a bottle of Clorox bleach when a hunter discovered him Monday afternoon. His legs were bound to his right arm by a rope, according to court records. Authorities believe Parker’s body had been left in that location at least two days prior. Witness reports obtained the following day linked Caldwell to the crime. During interviews conducted by authorities Tuesday, witnesses told investigators about a conversation with Caldwell, who said he came out of a bathroom in his Crabtree home to find Parker kissing his wife and holding her down, according to court records. Caldwell told witnesses he later burned the stick he used to strike Parker numerous times in the head, court records state. Caldwell explained he had read forensic books and poured bleach all over Parker’s body before dumping him in a ditch. After identifying the body, authorities confirmed the link to an incident on Oct. 19 at which time Parker’s white Ford van was discovered on fire by a N.C. State Trooper who determined the suspicious fire was likely the result of arson, according to court records. Suttles said the investigation is ongoing. Additional charges may be forthcoming against Caldwell and others. |
| Last Updated on Friday, 30 October 2009 14:21 |
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