Posted on 07/01/2004 3:16:28 AM PDT by Straight Vermonter
In a case eerily similar to the Zantop murders in Hanover, NH some years ago, two Vermont teenaged boys have been charged with robbing and then killing an elderly couple in their own home town.
Heath Lockerby was silent as he was led into the Grand Isle Courtroom Wednesday afternoon. The 18-year-old and his 17-year-old friend Quinten Teeple were there to answer to charges that they murdered two of their Isle La Motte neighbors, George and Anna Fleury, then set their house on fire to cover up the crime.
Lt. Thomas Nelson of the VT State Police said "There was information that discussions had occurred, there was information that gas was brought to the scene, and some of those issues indicated to us that premeditation was involved in this."
Neighbors were shocked. Deborah Laporte told Channel 3 news: "These are our people, our boys. To think that this could come from people that we know and have loved and have watched grow up. They knew the Fleury's ...they used to go swimming in their pool. The boys were all friends, with the Fleury boys, it's just ... it's a nightmare."
It's a nightmare police say was motivated by money. Court records indicate that both Teeple and Lockerby had heard that George Fleury kept thousands of dollars in a safe in his home. The two allegedly went to the house early Sunday morning with the intention of stealing the safe, burning the house, and if necessary, killing the Fleury's.
Lt. Thomas Nelson/VT State Police: : "In the statements that the defendents had given us, they indicated that the crime was thought out, they did wish to commit robbery, they did wish to cover up the evidence of the crime by burning the household down." "In the statements that they've given us, they indicated that they were prepared to use weapons and they each armed themselves with a knife when they committed the crime."
Police say the two killed the Fleury's when they were confronted upon entering the house, stabbing George in the chest and slitting Anna's throat. The details of the crime are an unsettling new chapter for this tiny town already overcome with grief over the passing of two of it's most established and popular residents.
Deborah Laporte expressed the sadness of her town of Isle LaMotte: "I want to say that George and Anna were the heart and soul of our community. They were just good people, not perfect, like any of us are not perfect, but they were SO good. And their legacy is that we're going to get through this as a community. They taught us to hang in there together when things get hard, and this is about as hard as it gets."
What gets into these vicious people that lets them even think such an act is acceptable? Is this a wealthy suburb? Were they spoiled little SOB's? There is no excuse, but it would be helpful to find out what led them to think they are above (or beneath) respect for human life.
Where the hell are these kids parents and why are they parenting?
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/specialnews/islelamotte/
The above link has all the stories on this incident. The boys may have been also involved in an attempted murder/arson previously. (check stories at link) I recently purchased a home in Isle La Motte. It is a small out-of-the-way island on Lake Champlain with under 500 residents. I am new there, but the victims and the perpetrators were known well to all. It is a small rural community which is close knit, and this has devastated the community. The murders occured a day after the wedding death, which is also posted in the vermont forum here at FR. It has been a difficult summer.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1162013/posts
The wedding death referred to above.
I know the island well. I used to date a girl who lived there. It seems the culture of death has infiltrated even the smallest towns in quiet places like Vermont.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.