Breaking News


Williams Left Tape Of Alleged Murder-Suicide Pact With Cowan Woman

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Detectives searching through a gruesome scene at Room 128 at the Hampton Inn on Shallowford Road found a tape detailing an alleged murder-suicide pact, it was testified Tuesday.

General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon bound Michael Montel Williams to the Grand Jury on first-degree murder charges in the death of 26-year-old Sherry Lynn Smith of Cowan, Tn. Williams remains held on no bond.

Detectives found the lifeless body of Ms. Smith wrapped in bed clothes and located Williams on the floor between two beds, it was stated. He had cuts on his arm, but was not seriously hurt.

Investigator James Holloway said a casette tape found in the room was a narration by Williams of an alleged agreement by the couple that he would kill her and then take his own life. He said he smothered the victim.

But prosecutor Ben Boyer said he believed the murder was pre-meditated and that Williams never intended to kill himself.

Christy Harmon, night auditor at the motel, said Williams came in at 5 a.m. on June 13 and said he wanted a room for him and his girlfriend. She said Williams was "happy go lucky like he was in love. He just beamed he was so happy."

But she said on the third morning of his stay that Williams looked "a little bit strange. He was jumping around and wanted to know if I noticed anything odd." She said he told her he had been wearing all black, but he had switched to blue.

She said Williams told her he was home on leave from Iraq and was looking forward to going back. He said he had fired into a mosque and might face court martial when he returned.

The witness said he also said that he "didn't mind killing women and children because they were going to try to kill him first."

Authorities said military officials had no record that Williams had ever served.

Ms. Harmon said Ms. Smith was "very quiet and shy. She didn't say anything. She kept her head down most of the time."

She said Williams stated that he "was there to show her a good time."

Tammy Harrison, assistant general manager of the motel, said she went to check on room 128 on June 17 because it was past checkout time. She said the door was locked and the chain was on the latch. She had a maintenance man pop the latch.

She said she stepped inside and saw a bundle of clothes on one bed. She said she saw a foot sticking up between the beds and saw quite a bit of blood. She said she moved back and called 911.

Inv. Holloway said Williams was found lying between the beds with cuts on his arm. He said the woman's body was not discovered at first, then was found in the bed clothes. He said there was no visible cause of death.

The body was sent to Nashville for autopsy and the results are still not back.

Inv. Holloway said on the tape that Williams said he committed a sex act on the woman after she was dead.

He said the tape said they had made it appear like she had been kidnapped so her parents would not know about the "suicide." The detective said they were in a car that was stolen in Cowan.

Williams said on the tape, "She wanted it to appear like she was murdered."

He stated, "We were supposed to die together. We planned to do this together, but I couldn't die."

The detective said receipts were found where Williams had bought duct tape and tubing at Lowes and pills at a pharmacy. He said on the tape it mentioned suicide by carbon monoxide and by overdose.

Inv. Holloway said adjacent motel guests did not report hearing anything. He said one guest from Oklahoma did say that he saw a man with bushy hair who appeared to be gay step out of room 128 at one point.


Latest County Jail Booking Reports

Here are the latest county jail booking reports from Hamilton County and Walker County: Hamilton County: ANDERSON, TIFFANY M 6616 FLAGSTONE DRIVE OOLTEWAH, 37363 28 Hamilton County     DOMESTIC ASSAULT     ASSAULT     RESISTING ARREST AVILES, DANIEL 190 HIDDEN LANE SPRING CITY, 37381 54 Soddy Daisy     ... (click for more)

Pickup Truck Crosses To Wrong Side Of Hixson Pike: Other Driver Killed

A pickup truck went across Hixson Pike into the opposing lane of traffic on Saturday afternoon, then struck another vehicle. The driver of that car was killed. At 4:51 p.m., Chattanooga Police officers responded to the traffic crash at 4900 Hixson Pike.  The officers found that a pickup truck driven by a 68-year-old man was southbound on Highway 153 and exited onto southbound ... (click for more)

We Are Blessed To Have Ron Littlefield As Our Mayor - And Response (2)

Chattanooga is blessed beyond measure to have Ron Littlefield as our mayor.  It is a total travesty our city has had to endure the long frivolous battle with absolutely  no foundation other than disagreement with policy issues.  It has always been a vendetta directed personally at Mayor Littlefield which, if the "interveners" decide to appeal, will be a proven fact.   ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: The Westminster Dogs Bark!

The brightly-lit tower on top of New York City’s Empire State Building is now purple and gold, the traditional colors of the much-beloved 136th Annual Westminster Dog Show that is currently being staged at Madison Square Garden. For a dog lover like me, the televised finals are always a fun-filled delight as the USA and CNBC networks show the spectacular animals on Monday and Tuesday ... (click for more)

Hot Second Half Sparks Lady Mocs To 57-31 Win Over College Of Charleston

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball team defeated the College of Charleston Saturday night at the McKenzie Arena 57-31 in Southern Conference action. The win moves the Lady Mocs to 17-7 overall and 12-3 in league play while the Cougars fall to 6-19 on the year and 5-11 in conference play. Postgame Quotes: http://www.gomocs.com/ ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID= ... (click for more)

Kentucky Softball Signs Silverdale's Henderson, Soddy-Daisy's Nunley

LEXINGTON, Ky. –   After racking up the best season in school history in 2011, UK softball coach Rachel Lawson has signed a heralded class of eight highly-touted athletes from across the country for the 2013 season. The Wildcats have signed Silverdale Baptist Academy's Katie Henderson (Hixscon, Tenn.), Kelsey Nunley (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.), Darington Richardson (Duluth, ... (click for more)