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September 2, 2010
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Deadly home invasion not random
Published June 26, 2009
LOGANVILLE — The three men who allegedly beat a Loganville couple during a home invasion did not choose their victims randomly, police said.
The woman died from her injuries Tuesday.
At a preliminary hearing Thursday the lead detective on the case, Lt. Mike Westbrooks of the Loganville Police Department, said the three suspects in the May 21 home invasion at 214 Covington St. had been to the house the week before with a woman, Angela Jackson of Monroe, allegedly to collect child support from C.F. Ewing, later a victim of the attack.
“(C.F.) said he had known (Jackson) for a few years,” Westbrooks said, adding when pressed, “Ms. Jackson said she met with Mr. Ewing to collect child support.”
C.F.’s wife, 65-year-old Epsie Ewing, died Tuesday at Atlanta Medical Center as a result of the injuries she sustained in the attack last month.
Barry Marquez Partee, 18, Corey Butler, 28, and John J. Blackwell, 18, all of Monroe, now face felony murder charges in addition to a slew of charges arising from the incident. They all were arrested in the days following the attack.
At a preliminary hearing Thursday, Walton County Magistrate Court Judge Mike Burke did not allow the attorneys for the defendants any in-depth questioning in connection with the child support testified to by Westbrooks, stating it was not relevant to a preliminary probable cause hearing.
According to Westbrook’s testimony, Butler and two other woman — one being Jackson — had been to the house the week before, allegedly to get money from C.F. Ewing. Butler is alleged to have returned a week later with Partee and Blackwell on the pretext of wanting to buy C.F.’s pickup truck. Following a test ride, Butler is alleged to have pulled a gun on C.F. forcing him into the house, followed by the other two defendants, where the alleged beatings took place.
Police said they were aware of a “relationship” between C.F. and Jackson, but have not found any evidence C.F. and Jackson actually had a child.
“During the investigation we have not uncovered anything to substantiate the claim there was an actual child during the course of the relationship,” LPD Chief Mike McHugh said hours after the hearing.
Burke agreed there was sufficient probable cause to bind all three defendants over to face trial on all of the charges, which included armed robbery, aggravated battery, kidnapping and false imprisonment and the additional charge of felony murder. Butler faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Before yesterday’s testimony, officials wouldn’t comment on the circumstances of the case for fear of compromising the investigation. They did, however, confirm the attack was not as random as it appeared.
The savagery and apparent randomness of the attack that took place in broad daylight had left many in the community concerned for their own safety.
Graphic testimony was given as to the severity of Epsie’s beating, allegedly at the hand of Butler and Partee.
C.F. was allegedly beaten and held down by Blackwell during this time.
Epsie was lifelighted to Atlanta Medical Center where she remained in critical condition until her death this week. Her husband was treated for injuries at Gwinnett Medical Center the day of the attack, moved to Atlanta Medical Center for a day and then released the following day.
Walton County District Attorney Ken Wynne said all three men face a possible penalty of 20 years on the aggravated assault, 10 years on the false imprisonment charge and potential life sentences on the armed robbery and kidnapping charges. He said the murder charges carry mandatory life sentences and did not respond when asked whether the death penalty would likely be considered in this case.
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