We've got a Wal-Mart like this in our area too. I had my wallet stolen right under my nose there. Thank goodness that's all that happened. Too bad someone didn't escort the employee to her car. I don't know too much about the case, but it's sad end for a young girl. I guess having Wal-Mart cameras and security patrols are better than nothing, but it didn't do much to help this victim.
Packing a weapon beats cameras and security patrols every time. When did we give up the idea of protecting ourselves?
The link posted at the top of my message and I'm new to posting here so in case someone doesn't see the link (had a hard time myself finding where the forum software put it) here's the entire article from www.tylerpaper.com
MURDER SUSPECT REFUSING TO TALK
By KENNETH DEAN, Staff Writer January 22, 2005
Capital murder suspect Johnny Lee Williams Jr., of Tyler, is in Cochise County Jail in Bisbee, Ariz., refusing to talk to authorities.
Officials are investigating a crime spree that spanned three states, including two armed robberies and the abduction and shooting death of a young woman taken from a Tyler Wal-Mart earlier this week.
Don Martin, Tyler Police Department public information officer, said on Saturday that the 24-year-old Williams has asked for an attorney and is refusing to speak with law enforcement about the crimes, including the abduction of 19-year-old Megan Leann Holden as she finished her shift shortly before midnight Wednesday.
"We sent detectives to Stanton, where Ms. Holden's body was discovered, but we decided not to go to Arizona because he (Williams) is not talking with investigators," he said.
Martin said an autopsy on Ms. Holden's body was being performed Saturday morning in Lubbock, but he did not know when his department would have the preliminary results.
"She was shot and we released this information earlier this morning that she was also beaten," he said.
Martin would not say whether the woman had been tied and gagged, and he did not know if she fought back at any time during the kidnapping.
"We don't know if she was sexually assaulted at this time and that will be part of the autopsy results," he said. "It's just such a tragic thing to happen and our (the department's) prayers are with the family."
ABDUCTED
The woman's mother contacted police early Thursday morning to report her daughter missing when she did not return to her Chandler home after working her scheduled shift at the Wal-Mart Supercenter at Texas Highway 64 West and Loop 323.
Tyler Police Chief Swindle said Friday it was hours later when officials at Wal-Mart called to report a possible abduction caught on tape.
"We knew initially that this was not the normal missing person, because Megan was very responsible and this was out of character for her," he said. "The tape showed that she didn't leave of her own will."
When police reviewed the videotape, they immediately began looking for the woman and sent out descriptions of the suspect and the victim's red 2002 Ford F-150 truck.
The young woman's body was found early Friday morning in a ditch off Interstate 20 in Martin County.
In Odessa, Williams allegedly robbed a convenience store at gunpoint then made his way west.
Williams was taken into custody earlier Friday morning after he allegedly attempted to rob a former New York City firefighter in Bowie, Ariz., and was shot during the confrontation. He is being held on $1 million bond.
The man who shot Williams told The Associated Press how the attempted robbery took place.
"He said, 'This is robbery, I want all the money in the cash register,'" Richie Chapman said. "And as he said that, he drew a weapon from underneath his shirt, and I drew and fired."
Swindle told reporters Friday the shooting was justified.
"If there is any justice in all of these events, then the shooting would be it," he said.
Swindle said the man then showed up in Ms. Holden's pickup at an Arizona hospital.
"He sought medical attention at a local hospital and officers there took him into custody after running the license plates and discovering the truck was the vehicle in question in the abduction here in Tyler," Swindle said.
WILLIAMS CHARGED
Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham said Williams has been officially charged with aggravated kidnapping stemming from the Tyler abduction and could soon face capital murder charges.
He could also face federal charges on interstate transport of stolen goods, kidnapping or carjacking.
Martin said if Arizona authorities allow the Texas charges to dominate in the case and Williams waives his extradition rights, Williams could be back in Tyler as early as late this week.
"It all depends on him and what he does," Martin said. "If he waives his rights, then we could have him back here late this week, but if he doesn't, then we will have to go through all the extradition procedures, and that could take two or three weeks."
Martin said Texas statutes allow the county where the abduction took place to file the capital murder charges because the initial crime that led to the murder began there instead of where a murder actually occurred.
"We don't know what the other counties will do in regards to the other charges, but we believe he will come back to Smith County to face the charges here," he said.
Bingham said he had talked with the district attorney's office in Martin County and asked the office to allow Smith County to pursue capital murder charges here.
"He (the Martin County DA) agreed he would allow me to pursue the charges, because I was making the request and because the crime originated in Smith County," he said.
Bingham said another contributing factor to the decision to charge Williams in Smith County was the fact the witnesses, investigators and Ms. Holden's family were largely in Smith County.
"I talked to family last night and told them how sorry I was for this whole thing and I assured them that Williams would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. At this time, I do feel the facts and evidence will support a charge of capital murder," he said.
Bingham said this was the beginning stage of the investigation and he wanted a thorough look at the case to make sure all the facts were nailed down.
He thanked all the investigators from all the agencies in Texas and Arizona for their help and cooperation in the case.
"They all put in a lot of hours and did an excellent job in this case," he said.
He did not know when Williams would be back in Tyler, but stated matter-of-factly that he would be.
"I can tell you this - he is coming back to Smith County," he said.
Family Statement
"We would like to thank all the people in America, our community, our friends and family for all the love and support and prayers at this difficult time. We will tell you more about our Megan at a later time. Please continue to pray for us throughout this time and beyond. We have a long road ahead. Please give us our time to mourn. A fund is in the process of being set up. More information will be available at a later date. And last but not least, let us thank all of the law enforcement team throughout the nation from the Megan Holden family. May God bless you all."
Kenneth Dean covers police, fire, and public safety organizations, and Cherokee and Rusk counties. He can be reached at 903.596.6353. e-mail: news@tylerpaper.com
Carolyn