JEFFREY STONE - Aged 15 years - Attalla, Alabama (USA)

hippy
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:25 pm

JEFFREY STONE - AGED 15 YEARS



NBC 13

Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 - 10:44 AM Updated: 01:51 PM

UPDATE: Search Under Way For Missing Etowah Teen

http://www.nbc13.com/gulfcoastwest/vtm/news.apx.-content-articles-VTM-2008-04-03-0007.html

merlynsam
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:34 pm

Gadsden Times

Published April 3, 2008

By Lisa Rogers, Times Staff Writer

Teen's family pleads for safe return

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20080403/NEWS/306977609/1139/FRONTPAGE

smokie
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:39 pm

My Fox

Last Edited: Thursday, 03 Apr 2008, 4:13 PM CDT

Search Called Off for Missing Teen Jeffrey Blake Stone



....the search has been called off for the day.

(..)

The boy's stepmother told authorities that Jeffrey, a student at Sardis High School, left home by foot at about 12:30 p.m. and has not been heard from or seen since that time.

http://tinyurl.com/5brxg5

merlynsam
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:06 pm

America's Most Wanted

4/5/08

Community Searches For Missing Ala. Teen

http://www.amw.com/missing_children/case.cfm?id=54436

merlynsam
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:08 pm

Sand Mountain Reporter

5/4/2008

Search on for missing teenager

http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=9041f617027a6aef

pam supportfromireland
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:29 am

PLEASE NOTE DISTRESSING OUTCOME FOR JEFFREY STONE. PLEASE DO NOT LOOK BELOW IF NOT ABLE TO READ SAD AND SHOCKING NEWS. RIP JEFFREY.


Birmingham News Alabama

3 July 2008

Body of missing 15-year-old Etowah County boy found in neighbor's freezer; two men charged with murder


http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/121507298157140.xml&coll=2

vovvan
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:46 pm

This is awful, what a waste of a young life. :cry:

May he rest in peace.

The Reporter

Published July 2, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: 2 held in student’s death

http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=9a1cdf0c472d140b

The Reporter

Published July 3, 2008

By George Jones

2 face murder charges

http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=ad2b2705bcc443f2

The Gadsden Times

Thursday, July 3, 2008

By Lisa Rogers

Men charged in slaying

Murder characterized as thrill kill

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20080703/NEWS/993349165?Title=Men-charged-in-slaying

Posted by Faith (a local in the area) on 'Help Find The Missing' forum:

Nathan Lee- the last person confirmed to have seen Blake alive.
* He's an only child who inherited a big house and 100's of acres of land.
* Unconfirmed-his mother is life-long committed to a private mental institution in another state.
* Blake went to his house when he left home.
* Nathan would not take the parents calls nor answer his door for 3 days. Parents left note on his door.
* Nathan called and told the family one story and since has related 4 varied and inconsistent accounts of Blake's last visit to the s.o. and to The PI
* About 3 yrs ago, a woman who'd been missing for months was found in a pond on Nathan's land.
* Nathan's land has never been searched by LE


_________________________

Andrew Smiley

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=331711120

Lots of Photos here
http://www.myspace.com/redneckfarmer51


http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-3834.html

Gadsden Times

Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 5:42 p.m.

By Dana Beyerle

Means seeks to raise age limit for capital murder charge

(snippet)

Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla, said today the law does not allow two adults who allegedly shot and killed 15-year-old Jeffrey Blake Stone in Etowah County to be charged with capital murder that includes the death penalty as punishment.

State law says the murder of a child young than 14 can be a capital crime but killing a 14-year-old or 15-year-old without any aggravating circumstance is not.

“I just can’t believe it,” Means said. “I can’t believe there’s a difference between 13 and 14.”

Conviction of capital murder can result in the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-3834.html

The boys' 1st hearing will be on 8th July 2008

On 3rd July 2008 Jeff's father filed a civil lawsuit against both boys for wrongful death.

WEIS

07-07-2008

By Marc Summers

BOND EXPECTED TO BE SET IN MURDER CASE

Bond is expected to be set today (Monday, July 7th) for two men charged with the thrill slaying of 15 year old Jeffrey Blake Stone of Littleton Cut-Off Road. 19 year old Nathaniel Lee and 22 year old Troy Smiley, both of Attalla, have been in the Etowah County Jail since Stone`s remains were found in a freezer located in Lee`s home last week. Bond is expected to be high. Funeral services for Stone will be held Tuesday at 11:00am, at the Morgan Funeral Home Chapel in Attalla.

http://www.weis990am.com/np75912.htm

NBC News

Published: July 11, 2008

Family of Murdered Attalla Teen Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit


15 year old Jeffrey Blake Stone was found murdered in a freezer at this Littleton address.

GADSDEN, Ala. --- The family of a 15 year old murdered Attalla teen has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the two suspects in the case.

Jeffrey Blake Stone was killed on March 24th in the Littleton community.

Investigators say they found his body in a freezer in July 1st.

19 year old Nathan Lee and 22 year old Andrew Smiley are charged with Stone’s death.

Now Stone’s father has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the two suspects.

In the lawsuit, Stone claims the two suspects shot his son numerous times resulting in his death.

The father is citing “mental anguish and emotional distress” because of his son’s murder.

Stone is asking a judge to award him more than $10,000 in monetary and punitive damages.

http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/family_of_murdered_attalla_teen_files_wrongful_death_lawsuit/26940/

Gasden Times

Published July 12, 2008

By Lisa Rogers, Times Staff Writer

Stone's father files wrongful death suit

The father of 15-year-old Jeffrey Blake Stone has filed a wrongful death suit against two men charged with murder in the Sardis student's death.

The suit was filed July 3 and signed by the teen's father, Jeff Stone.

The suit asks for a judgment against Nathaniel Lee and Troy Andrew Smiley, charged July 2 with the death of Jeffrey Blake Stone, whose body was discovered July 1 in a freezer at Lee's house on Littleton Cutoff Road.

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences has positively identified the remains as the teen, missing since March 24.

Stone was shot numerous times, according to the suit.

The suit asks for a monetary judgment, in excess of $10,000, for the loss of companionship and the mental anguish and emotional distress suffered because of the death of Jeffrey Blake Stone.

Nathaniel Wayne Lee, 19, 1176 Littleton Cutoff Road, and Troy Andrew Smiley, 22, 1084 Anna Drive, both near Attalla, were charged with murder.

Stone, 15, a student at Sardis High School, often visited at Lee's home about a quarter-mile from his own.

Investigators now believe Stone left his home and went to Lee's house - a large brick home on more than 100 acres that Lee inherited after his father's death a few years ago.

Lee lived there alone, but Smiley often stayed over.

Sheriff Todd Entrekin said Lee and Smiley were close friends.

Entrekin said the two planned the murder for weeks and killed Stone "for the thrill of it."

Investigators got a tip July 1 that led to a shallow grave on a logging road just off Rocky Hollow Road near Gallant.

There was evidence at the shallow grave that led to a search warrant at Lee's house and the discovery of Stone's remains.

Entrekin said Stone was killed in the woods behind the house and then initially buried at the area on Rocky Hollow Road, about 12 miles away.

Entrekin said Stone's remains were moved from the grave a couple of weeks ago and placed in the chest-type freezer.

Lee and Smiley remain in the Etowah County jail without bond.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20080712/NEWS/807120305/1017/NEWS

Apparently, the reason that the father (Jeff Stone Snr) is seeking monetary damages is because he wants to own the house and land where his son was murdered so that he can raze it to the ground.

However, his step-mother (Lynn) would like to re-furbish it and turn it into the support centre for autistic children.

(Jeffrey Blake Stone - the murdered teenager - was autistic)

The Gasden Times

Published July 22, 2008

By Andy Powell, Times Staff Writer

Bond set for one of suspects in teenager's slaying

Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp said a $142,500 bond set late this afternoon by District Judge Wayne Owen for one of the men accused of killing a 15-year-old Sardis student was “way too low.”

Owen set the bond for Andrew Smiley, 22, of Ivalee, one of two men charged with the murder of Jeffrey Blake Stone, whose body was found July 2 in the freezer of Nathaniel Lee, 19, of Littleton Cutoff Road.

Lee also has been charged with murder, but Lee’s attorney has not requested a bond hearing.

Smiley was not at the bond hearing.

The bond set by Owen could be met either with property pledged or cash. As part of the bond, Owen said, Smiley is to report to a community corrections program and to report back weekly and is not to travel out of state without court permission and not to change his living address without notification.

Smiley’s attorney, Johnny Berry of Cullman, declined to comment after the hearing concerning Smiley’s possible release.

At the hearing Smiley’s father, Troy Smiley, testified he would assure the court that his son would show up for any court appearances and would abide by any conditions of the bond. He said he would put up his property to meet bond requirements and that other members of the community have said they would also.

He said his son did not appear suicidal but has been treated for depression since high school. He said his son had never been charged with a violent crime before. He said his son would not be a threat to himself or the public at large.

Troy Smiley said someone with the family would be with his son at the family residence at all times.

Harp pointed out in his cross examination that was where Smiley was living when Stone was killed.

During the hearing, Harp told Owen that the case was not a capital murder case and the court had to set a bond, but that Smiley was a “significant threat” to the community.

In the hearing, Harp questioned Etowah County Sheriff’s Department investigator Jeff Hopper, who testified he had interviewed Andrew Smiley.

Hopper said Smiley had not shown any remorse for his actions.

Hopper said that during the interview Smiley said suicidal thoughts had crossed his mind. Hopper said at one time Smiley said “to go ahead and shoot” him. He said during the interview that Smiley said he and Lee had planned the slaying for about a month.

Hopper said he felt Smiley was a danger to the community.

“I think the bond is not a sufficient amount,” Harp said after the hearing. “I think a $142,500 property bond is way too low. We were hoping for a very significant cash bond and I think this is a case that warranted such.”

Harp said there are drug cases or robbery cases have cash bond set and he didn’t think the bond was “a reasonable one on behalf of the community.”

Harp said when the case comes out of grand jury that a circuit judge could set bond if there is an indictment.

The case could go to the grand jury in September, Harp said.

Harp said the bond should be higher, not because of the community outcry over the slaying, but because of the threat to the community.

“You’re talking about a guy that planned a homicide for 30 days,” Harp said.

Stone was reported missing March 24. His body was discovered July 1 in a freezer at Lee’s house on Littleton Cutoff Road, authorities said.

Stone often visited at Lee’s home about a quarter-mile from his own.

Investigators said they believe Stone left his home and went to Lee’s house — a large brick home on more than 100 acres — that Lee inherited after his father’s death a few years ago.

Lee lived there alone, but Smiley often stayed over.

Investigators got a tip July 1 that led to a shallow grave on a logging road just off Rocky Hollow Road near Gallant.

There was evidence at the shallow grave that led to a search warrant at Lee’s house and the discovery of Stone’s remains, authorities said.

Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin said in a news conference to announce the arrests that Stone was killed in the woods behind the house and then initially buried at the area on Rocky Hollow Road, about 12 miles away.

Entrekin said Stone’s remains were moved from the grave a couple of weeks before the remains were discovered in the chest-type freezer.

Stone’s father, Jeff, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lee and Smiley on July 3.

Lee and Smiley have remained in the Etowah County jail without bond since their arrests.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20080722/NEWS/53359682/1016/NEWS

ABC News

Tue July 22, 2008

Bond Set and Details Revealed in “Thrill Kill“ Case

The family of 15-year old Jeffery Blake Stone is outraged that a judge granted bond Tuesday afternoon. Nathanial Lee and Troy Andrew Smiley face 1st Degree Murder Charges for a crime District Attorney Jimmie Harp describes as a "thrill kill."

Smiley can now get out of jail if he makes bail.

It was a surprise decision today as Judge Wayne Owen set a property bond at $142,500. According to the thirty or so family friends of the late Jeffrey Stone, that's much too low. The group sat in the courtroom as the father of Andrew Smiley appeared on the stand. He agreed to house his son until trial. It's the same house where Smiley lived on March 24th - the day he's accused of killing Stone.

During the bond hearing new facts about Stone's death were revealed. He was allegedly shot several times by Nathanial Lee. It happened in Lee's back yard as Smiely watched. It was also revealed that Smiely is the person who told detectives where the body was buried and that it was moved in to a freezer.

Stone's stepmother spoke exclusively with ABC 33/40 after bond was set. She's outraged he'll return to her own neighborhood. She says "$142,000 dollar bond to let my son's killer out on the property? Out on the land, out in our community when my thirteen year old son is anxious for his own safety? When other people are saying they are wanting to hide their children... 142 thousand dollars?"

So far Nathanial Lee, the other man facing murder charges, has not requested bond.

According to District Attorney Jimmie Harp this case will go before the Alabama Grand Jury in September. It will probably go to trial in the Spring.

http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/0708/537812.html

The Gasden Times

Published July 23, 2008

By Lisa Rogers, Times Staff Writer

Smiley posts bond, but still in jail on Lee County probation violation

Andrew Smiley posted bond Wednesday afternoon, but he is still in the Etowah County jail waiting to be transferred to Lee County for violation of probation on unrelated drug charges.

Smiley, 22, of Ivalee, is one of two men charged with murder in the slaying of Jeffrey Blake Stone, 15, whose body was found July 2 in the freezer of Nathaniel Lee, 19, of Littleton Cutoff Road.

Lee also has been charged with murder, but Lee’s attorney has not requested a bond hearing.

Smiley’s property bond of $142,500 for the murder charge was signed by one property owner, according to jail records.

District Judge Wayne Owen set the bond in a hearing Tuesday afternoon. As part of the bond, Smiley is to report to a community corrections program, report back weekly and is not to travel out of state without court permission or change his living address without notification. It is unclear if the warrant from Lee County will impact the conditions of Smiley’s bond.

Etowah County jail officials received the Lee County warrant with no bond available.

The warrant is for a probation violation on a charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. He was originally arrested by Opelika police on the drug charge and was apparently released on probation. Details of the probation violation and arrest were not available.

During Tuesday’s hearing, District Attorney Jimmie Harp told Owen that the case was not a capital murder case and the court had to set a bond, but that Smiley was a “significant threat” to the community.

Stone was reported missing March 24. His body was discovered July 1 in a freezer at Lee’s house on Littleton Cutoff Road.

Stone often visited at Lee’s home about a quarter-mile from his own.

Investigators said they believe Stone left his home and went to Lee’s home, a large brick house on more than 100 acres that Lee inherited after his father’s death a few years ago.

Lee lived there alone, but Smiley often stayed over.

Investigators got a tip July 1 that led to a shallow grave on a logging road just off Rocky Hollow Road near Gallant.

There was evidence at the shallow grave that led to a search warrant at Lee’s house and the discovery of Stone’s remains, authorities said.

It is believed Stone was killed in the woods behind the house and then initially buried at the area on Rocky Hollow Road, about 12 miles away. Stone’s remains were moved from the grave a couple of weeks before the remains were discovered in the chest-type freezer, authorities said.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20080723/NEWS/964459668/1016/NEWS

This is a letter posted by Blake's dad, Jeff, on the Gadsden forum:

Warning: It is clearly full of pain and anger so be cautious when reading.

Posted 07-26-2008 04:45 PM

Hello all, this is Jeffrey Stone,

Let me repeat, MY NAME IS JEFFREY T.STONE, FATHER OF SLAIN SON JEFFERY BLAKE STONE. Let me say thanks to all the people who have offered sympathy and prayers, and to people with voices of reason (Powell, Hatch, IM4CNS, and the like). As you know we have chosen not to be in the media much, and have only responded a few times to the forums. Most of our time, since Blake was “discovered,” had been spent with private investigators, LE, funeral homes, and lawyers. Before that, we spent 24/7 on the “search.” But, we have been very much monitoring all forums here and elsewhere through family and friends since the day Blake disappeared. I enter this letter to this forum as a first in many to come. One, to discuss my thoughts, feelings and to address some issues that we have noted and, two, to set the record straight. By the way, I’m speaking now. First, there once was a statement in the original Sardis forum by Brazen, if I recall, that asked the question, Why doesn’t the father speak up? Why is the stepmother in control? As well as others like Gentle Reader and SWP who had the statements about my wife. Like SWP who said she would run and hide too. The only people who ever have to hide from my wife are those who don’t “do the right thing” in life. Or to the “gut feeling” guy who was sure she had something to do with all this. First, let me inform you of my wife! She is a very educated and competent woman 2) a very caring individual 3) an ethical and professional woman who on countless times and all hours of the day and night as a community mental health officer (working for free as this is not a paid position ) has gone out to help people and families in need and to insure the moral, legal, ethical, and emotional needs are met for people. A person who has dedicated her life to help those in need, even people like you who have accused her .And by the way, gut guy , I have a gut feeling too. but it’s the Mexican food I ate last night. but that will come out in a little while!! She has been a very dedicated mother to my children, enforcing love, ethics, and moral character so they would become productive members of society. She did this without any corporal punishment of any kind - ever! I know she had a hard road on this as they are and were becoming teenagers. She has been my support through all this. She is my life partner and I do and will always love her.

I have seen statements about Smiley to the effect that “he drove by to pay his respects to Jeffrey Blake,” and “what he did was not as bad as Nathan, he shouldn’t have to pay for Nathan’s action”. Now let me point out a statement from the paper: Blake was buried in a “shallow grave.” Now let’s look at those two words, shallow and grave. First , Shallow: “not deep, having little depth,” and now Grave: “a hole in the ground which to bury a dead body; a burial mound or monument” [Webster‘s New 20th Century Dictionary Unabridged]. I have been to that site more than 300 times within two weeks after July 1st , my count now I have no idea any more . But my question to (you Smiley supporters) is have you or any others been to Blake’s first “GRAVE’ site? And you say that he was not driving by to check on the body , only to pay his respects. Let me say - get out of Smiley’s dope. Let me first explain. This (GRAVE) is about 5 feet long ,10 inches deep and possibly 18 to 20 inches wide at the widest point. HEAR THIS LOUD AND CLEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THIS IS AFTER HE HAD BEEN MOVED AND AFTER WHAT LOOKED LIKE THE CRIME LAB DIGGING UP THE AREA, AS SEEN BY THE FRESH SHOVEL MARKS!! REPEAT: AFTER!!!!!! Now, as to what he was covered with. lets see, the only objects around the site were a couple of rocks, old thrown out tires and some sticks. So the way it looks he was just thrown on the ground and covered with trash - with @#$%^&* TRASH….. So what on God’s green earth constitutes a (SHALLOW)(GRAVE)????????? So yes , Livefreeats, I do see your point that he was paying his “Respects” to our son!!!!!!! I bring this to the table because before all this, people never really know the parts of a crime. all you ever read is a shallow grave. The night of July 1st we found out what that means.

Now, let me ask a question to all of Smiley’s supporters. In a community this small , with emotions this high and hatred this deep, “Do you think there will be peace in the valley?” I do think that’s a fair and valid question . I think certain people should have thought this through more thoroughly.

As to the bond hearing , liberty and INJUSTICE for all…. 142,500.00 property bond? Liberty for Smiley, injustice for Jeffrey Blake. But let me think through this
1) HE gets his pay check from the tax payers so what does HE care,
2) HE does not live in this community,
3) It was not HIS child murdered in cold blood . My personal opinion is that HE is in contempt of justice, moral fortitude, and sound thinking.

Let me see, about Smiley, what I heard at the bond hearing was they planned to commit a murder a month in advance then narrowed the target down to our son. is this 30 days of only planning or coming up with the idea? Or if only planning the crime, how long on coming up with the idea ? how long on just talking before you start to set the plan in motion? Also, his father said he will be at home and watched. Let me get this right. The same people set to watch him now that were around him on feb 2008, in march 2008, oh and back around him in Sept 2007, you know - when the felony charge was pled down. So the son will have the same people calling him, his same friends coming over. you know, the ones he would get high with and drink with . The same room in which he had ideas of killing our child, driving the same vehicle which he did all the time after he KILLED our child. .I also heard that he used to be treated for depression. Let me add 2 + 2. The same people supposed to watch him now are the ones who said he used to have depression but didn’t notice that he was taking depressants (morphine weed and alcohol ).

Lets see, his lawyer had said he had never had violent crime before. Is not the prison system filled with people that started out with petty crimes and moved up to bigger crimes? You know MURDER ,rape and so on . I have also heard from Livefreeats that what he did was not as bad as what Nathan did!!!!!!!!!! So if he and Nathan had committed rape but he only held a girl down and nothing else, would that be just as bad?????????????????
Lets look at the facts, 1) he has a record 2) he helped plan a MURDER 3) he helped COMMIT MURDER 4) he helped COVER UP A MURDER 5) he OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE by not telling of THE MURDER 6) he helped move JEFFERY BLAKE’S BODY because it might be found. 7) HE CONFESSED.

This does not even come close to what I want and plan to write as I said this is number 1. more elaboration and thoughts to come. My opinion of what should happen to both of them REPEAT BOTH: I think they need to end up like Hoffa in cans of dog food.

Yes I’m bitter and angry, I think I have every right to be. To all you supporters out there for keeping them in jail and for the death penalty and your kind words and prayers I, my family and Jeffery Blake Thank you more than words will ever explain. To Smiley and Lee supporters go do something to yourselves. Till next letter and update .

Jeffrey Todd Stone, father of slain son, Jeffery Blake Stone.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: STONE (http://community.gadsdentimes.com/eve/personal?x_myspace_page=profile&u=6841077127), 07-27-2008 01:20 AM

http://community.gadsdentimes.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7441061365/m/7051004247/r/6591035247#6591035247

Posted by the step-mother on Help Find The Missing forum:

update: Etowah County grand jury hearing for both lee and smiley on Sept 3. smiley's atty has put in a motion to appear before the judge in Lee County to protest smiley's bond revocation. Hearing scheduled for Sept 4.

We currently are distributing and collecting two affidavits: the first is for Etowah County residents requesting that, as these two people pose a danger to self and the county at large if released, they be denied any amount of property bond that might potentiate their release before trial. The second is for residents of AL in support of Sen. Means intentions, requesting that the State Legislature amend and/or expand the requirements for capital murder to include premeditation, laying in wait, and raising the age limits for murder victims. It also includes a request that Blake's case be 'grandfathered' in, as this case should set precedence for the rights of victims and need for expansion of the law. If any of this forum's readers meet the qualification as residents, please consider signing these affidavits and mailing them to us as well as any you might be able to collect from family or friends. I can send a copy to your email address if you will request this from me at: lynnala@intergate.com.

We are not asking that people view this statewide appeal as a request for the death penalty but, at least, for life without parole. That is, without this amendment, Blake's murderers could be eligible for parole in as little as 10 years. To me, this is an egregious travesty of justice, as these two men will be in their early 30's, able to carry on with their "life and liberty" while Blake was denied that same by them - on purpose, to 'get a rush.'

As AL law stands, if a child is murdered at 12:01am on the morning of their 14th birthday, the accused can be charged only with murder one, not capital murder, even if the killer planned - for whatever reason - to kill that child for weeks, months, or years, and then just waited for that child to cross their property. While I question why there has to be an age limit at all [what if it had been the 88yo woman across the road?], the D.A. says 'we have to start somewhere.'

Thank you all at HFTM for your continued and continuous support.
Lynn

http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-3834.html

The Gasden Times

September 5, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.

By Andy Powell (andy.powell@gadsdentimes.com)

Judge could keep Smiley behind bars

An Etowah County man accused of killing a county teenager remains in jail in Opelika while a judge takes the case under advisement after a probation revocation hearing Thursday, Lee County District Attorney Nick Abbett said.

Andrew Smiley, 22, of Ivalee, is one of two men charged with murder in the slaying of Jeffery Blake Stone, 15, a student at Sardis High School, whose body was found July 1 in the freezer of Nathaniel Lee, 19, of Littleton Cutoff Road.

Lee is also charged with murder and is in jail in Etowah County. Stone had been reported missing March 24.

Smiley was arrested in September 2007 after a traffic stop by Auburn police and was charged with possession of morphine.

He pleaded guilty June 13 to a lesser drug charge and was give a year’s probation, ordered to pay a $500 fine and to attend a court referral drug program.

At the hearing, evidence was presented to Circuit Judge John Denson by Etowah County Sheriff Department’s Investigator Jeff Hopper concerning the slaying in Etowah County, Abbett said.

Smiley remains in jail in Lee County and Denson took the case under advisement. Denson gave Smiley’s attorney and Abbett seven days to file briefs before issuing a ruling, Abbett said.

Abbett said he will argue in his brief that Smiley’s probation should be revoked or either reconsidered and denied.

A $142,000 property bond had been signed July 23 on Smiley in Etowah County that would have allowed Smiley to be released, but Lee County filed a probation violation notification. Smiley, rather than being released, was transferred to Lee County for the hearing.

Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp said last month when Smiley was transferred to Lee County for the hearing he hoped Smiley would be kept in jail in Lee County until the slaying case can go before the grand jury here.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20080905/NEWS/809040265/1017/NEWS&title=Judge_could_keep_Smiley_behind_bars

The Gasden Times

Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.

By Andy Powell

Grand jury indicts two in teen's death

An Etowah County grand jury has indicted Nathaniel Lee and Andrew Smiley on charges of murder and mutilation of a corpse in connection with the March death of an Etowah County teenager whose body was found in a freezer.

District Attorney Jimmie Harp said a $250,000 cash bond for Smiley, 22, Ivalee, and Lee, 19, Littleton Cutoff Road, was set by Circuit Judge Clark Hall.

Lee is in the Etowah County jail. Smiley is in jail in Lee County after a probation revocation hearing was held there for him regarding an unrelated drug arrest.

At a hearing Thursday, Lee County Circuit Judge John Denson allowed seven days for motions to be filed before ruling on the probation revocation.

The two were indicted in connection with the slaying of Jeffery Blake Stone, 15, a student at Sardis High School, whose body was found July 1 in a freezer at Lee's residence. Stone had been reported missing March 24.

Lee lived at the residence alone, but Smiley often stayed over.

Investigators said they believe Stone left his home and went to Lee's house - a large brick home on more than 100 acres that Lee inherited after his father's death a few years ago.

Investigators got a tip July 1 that led to a shallow grave on a logging road just off Rocky Hollow Road near Gallant.

There was evidence at the shallow grave that led to a search warrant at Lee's house and the discovery of Stone's remains, authorities said.

Sheriff Todd Entrekin said in a news conference July 2 to announce the arrests that Stone was killed in the woods behind the house and then initially buried in an area on Rocky Hollow Road, about 12 miles away.

Entrekin said Stone's remains were moved from the grave a couple of weeks before they were discovered in the chest-type freezer.

Stone's father, Jeff, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lee and Smiley on July 3.

Harp said he did not know when Lee and Smiley would be

tried but that he hopes the trial can be in January or February.

A $142,000 property bond was signed July 23 on Smiley in Etowah County that would have allowed him to be released, but Lee County filed a probation violation notification. Smiley, rather than being released, was transferred to Lee County for last week's hearing.

Smiley was arrested in September 2007 after a traffic stop by Auburn police and was charged with possession of morphine.

He pleaded guilty June 13 to a lesser drug charge and was given a year's probation, ordered to pay a $500 fine and to attend a court referral drug program.

At the hearing, evidence was presented to Denson by Etowah County Sheriff Department Investigator Jeff Hopper concerning the slaying in Etowah County, Nick Abbett, Lee County District Attorney, said.

Denson took the case under advisement. Denson gave Smiley's attorney and Abbett seven days to file briefs before issuing a ruling, Abbett said.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20080909/NEWS/809090324/1016/NEWS&title=Grand_jury_indicts_two_in_teen_s_death

The Gasden Times

Friday, October 17, 2008 at 4:57 p.m.

By Lisa Rogers

Smiley back in Etowah County jail

Andrew Smiley is back in the Etowah County jail after he and Nathaniel Lee were indicted in the slaying of 15-year-old Jeffrey Blake Stone, Sheriff Todd Entrekin said.

Smiley has been in jail in Lee County on an unrelated drug charge, but he was transferred back to Etowah County Thursday night, Etowah County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Jeff Hopper said.

Smiley and Lee were indicted by an Etowah County grand jury in September on charges of murder and abuse of a corpse, District Attorney Jimmie Harp said.

Circuit Judge Clark Hall has set a $250,000 cash bond for both Smiley and Lee. Smiley, 23, Ivalee, and Lee, 20, Attalla, were charged with murder in the death of Stone, whose body was found July 1 in a freezer at Lee’s home on Littleton Cutoff Road.

Stone was reported missing March 24. Stone often visited at Lee’s home about a quarter-mile from his own. Lee and Smiley were friends and investigators said they believe Stone left his home and went to Lee’s home that day.

It is believed Stone was killed in the woods behind the house the day he was reported missing and was initially buried in a shallow grave on a logging road just off Rocky Hollow Road near Gallant, about 12 miles away.

Stone’s remains were moved from the grave a couple of weeks before the remains were discovered in the chest-type freezer. That action is what led to the indictment of abuse of a corpse, Harp said.

Entrekin has said evidence showed that Lee and Smiley killed Stone for the rush of killing someone and had planned it for weeks.

Attorneys for Lee did not seek bond initially, but a $142,500 property bond was set for Smiley. As he was about to be released from jail in Etowah County on bond, Lee County officials filed a probation violation notification against Smiley in connection with a conviction in June for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Smiley was arrested Sept. 8, 2007, after a traffic stop by the Auburn Police Department and morphine pills were found on him. Smiley was charged with possession of morphine, but he was allowed to plead guilty to the misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge in June — before he was charged in Etowah County with murder. He was given a year’s probation, ordered to pay a $500 fine and ordered to attend a court referral drug program.

When Lee County officials found out about the murder charge, bond was revoked.

Smiley was serving his sentence and was about to get out of jail in Lee County on an appeal bond when he was re-arrested on indictment Thursday.

Harp said trials for Smiley and Lee could be sometime next year.

Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla, has said he will seek to raise the age limit of murder victims for capital murder to 18 years old. State law says that murder of a child younger than 14 can be a capital crime, which could include the death penalty as punishment.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20081017/NEWS01/810170264/1017/NEWS?Title=Smiley_back_in_Etowah_County_jail