Posted on 05/03/2005 3:25:37 PM PDT by SmithL
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - A man on parole for fatally beating a former girlfriend with an iron skillet was charged with murder Tuesday after authorities found the bodies of his wife, their infant son and her 13-year-old daughter, police said.
Tony H. Pope, 36, a lumber company worker, was charged with the death of his wife, Andrea Pope, 36. Police were waiting for autopsy reports to determine what charges would be filed for the child deaths.
"He confessed to the killing of the three individuals," police Chief Steve Parks said. Parks said all three victims had "extensive trauma" and it was not clear if a weapon was used during the attack.
Pope is on parole for fatally beating his girlfriend with a skillet during an argument at their home in 1995, police said. He had been released after serving five years of a 15-year sentence for second-degree murder.
Police said 911 dispatchers received a call Monday night from someone who said they were concerned about the family's safety. Officers found the three bodies at the family's duplex in Hixson, a suburb north of Chattanooga.
Let this be a lesson to those women who try to meet prisoners for relationships.
I see your point there but it was also the mom's fault. She should know if someone is in jail for beating their girlfriend to death with a skillet, probably not a real class act. What a shame for the kids.
This guy will be getting tons of love letters in prison.
Yes, women who have relationships with criminals are dumb and weak. I have little sympathy for them, but that doesn't mean they get blamed for the harms others inflict upon them. The children are another story altogether.
This man has killed enough innocents. We should show him mercy with a quick death. He has confessed -- there is no need for delay.
Beats a woman to death, gets a mere 15 years, serves 1/3 of that, gets out and kills his entire family.
Can we execute him now? 4 dead bodies later, two children who didn't chose a realtionship with this scum in any way, can we execute him now?
We are told we should respect the law when the penalty for murder is five years in prison. I am disgusted with the criminal justice system.
The first crime happened 10 yrs. ago. The article doesn't mention anything about the wife having prior knowledge of his criminal past.
History reveals that their are women out there that will knowingly get involved with convicted criminals, but in all fairness, let's not assume what has not been stated.
For all we know, she could've been a wonderful wife and mother. Regardless, they all died a horrible death. I hope that justice is served and society has one less cold blooded murder to feed.
My heart goes out to her family.
How absolutely disgusting!
Five years for beating a woman to death.
Hello -- NOW? Where are you?
Oh yah ... you're busy making sure little girls can have abortions and their rapists can escape all the consequences of their crimes.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but second-degree murder means premeditated, intentional, straight-up murder, right?
How did he get released after five years? I mean, that can't be the usual way these things are handled in Tennessee, is it?
I'm sure that every FReeper that read this article was as puzzled, if not outraged, as you were.
And if would seem to me that it was murder in the first degree. Why was he charged and convicted in the "second-degree"? Was it as a result of a plea bargain?
I realize these questions are useless, but one must wonder. Beating someone to death with a skillet?! How barbaric.
My understanding is that first degree is reserved for the murder of police officers or political figures. Intentional, premeditated murder of a regular citizen is second degree.
This might vary by state, and like most legal stuff, it's probably a lot more complex than that...
That's logical. Thank you.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but second-degree murder means premeditated, intentional, straight-up murder, right?"
I'm sure this varies from state to state, but my impression is that second degree murder is NOT premeditated, but something done in a rage, or on the spur of the moment. Except of course for LEOs where, although you might not have planned to kill them, it would still count as first degree murder.
But I still wish that convicts, ESPECIALLY MURDERERS, would be made to serve all their sentances.
I wish this was unusual, but it's not. I have been trying to get my best friend to see the light with the guy who's already tried to kill her once or twice, and he was in prison for beating a man to death. She has 14 year old daughter from a previous marriage too. She is soooo certain he wouldn't ever do anything to hurt her or her daughter. He's chaaaannnngggeedd.
>>>The first crime happened 10 yrs. ago. The article doesn't mention anything about the wife having prior knowledge of his criminal past.>>>
You don't marry a convicted killer on parole and not know anything about his past. There are too many things they have to do for her not to know.
It's my understanding that that's New York'ss definition. In many, if not most other states, 1st degree means premeditated murder.
You would be surprised how many hook up with inmates. They think they will change.
The below site is one of the more interesting I have found on the Web. You have to register but it's worth it. There are something like 40,000 members. Most of them are families and penpals.
I found it back when Martha Stewart got arrested, I wanted to see if anyone was writing about her. They have forums for everything to include Loving Violent Offenders, News from Death Row, etc. etc. It's unbelievable.
http://www.prisontalk.com/
Thank you. What use is a sentence for such criminals if time is not served?
Leftist judge who gave him this slap on the wrist ought to have his ass handed to him.
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