Clara Marsh
Warrants were issued Friday afternoon charging other members of the Marsh family in connection with the Tri-State Crematory case.
Felony warrants were issued from the office of Magistrate Jerry day for Tommy Ray and Clara Marsh as well as their daughter, LaShea Marsh.
They are each charged with making a false statement on a death certificate.
LaShea Marsh is an employee of Franklin-Strickland Funeral Home in Chattanooga.
There have been published reports about the Marsh family members being unlicensed, but signing death certificates. LaShea Marsh did not become licensed until 1999, it was stated.
Ray Marsh is the founder of the crematory where 339 uncremated bodies have been found. Clara Marsh is an officer of the firm, and he is a former Democratic Party leader and well-known educator in Walker County.
The three Marsh family members were taken to the Walker County Jail for booking around 5:30 p.m. A bond hearing was held at 8 p.m. and Ray and Clara Marsh were released on their own recognizance. LaShea Marsh made a $5,000 bond and was released.
Ringgold attorney Ken Poston, who already represents Brent Marsh, said he will be the attorney for the other three as well.
He hit the arrests of the family members, saying it was the result of a "mob" outcry. He said the documents had been on public record for many years, and he said a 4-year statute of limitations had run.
He also criticized officials for making the arrests on Friday evening, saying that "what danger does this old man in a wheelchair pose to the community that could not wait until Monday morning?"
The charges carry up to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
Also, Bradley County Sheriff Dan Gilley is set to file six felony warrants on Monday against Brent Marsh, operator of Tri-State Crematory at LaFayette, Ga., and the son of Ray and Clara Marsh.
Sheriff Gilley has called a Monday morning press conference.
He said he "will be releasing information regarding the status of an investigation initiated last week regarding the Tri State Crematorium in Walker County, Georgia."
He and lead investigator Lt. Barry Tharp are expected to file six felony warrants Monday morning for the arrest of Brent Marsh. Charges will be for the violation of Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17-312, Abuse of corpse, a class E felony. Additionally, charges for theft of services are expected to be taken.
Sheriff Gilley and the investigative team will be delivering the state warrants to the investigative team in Walker County, Georgia on Monday.
Investigators are expecting to present the case to a Bradley County Grand Jury next week.
Meanwhile, Georgia Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor on Friday visited the crematory site.
He also met with families of those whose bodies were taken to the crematory.
Lt. Gov. Taylor said the massive recovery operation will be a major financial blow to the state, "but we are prepared to deal with it."
Also, a second judge in Walker County has bowed out of the case.
Judge Ralph Van Pelt Jr. recused himself because of a possible conflict of interest. Judge William Ralph Hill on Thursday stepped aside.
The number of bodies identified at the site has risen to 110.
Over 700 DNA kits have been received from family members.
Officials said the lake was almost completely drained, and no bodies had been spotted. Authorities said they now apparently have recovered all the bodies from the crematory property.