DNA leads to arrest in cold case murders of two Alabama girls. Tracy Harris murder Pictured in a January 2016 Street View image is Woodham Bridge in Dale County, Alabama. Ozark is a city in Alabama state in USA with a population of 14350 residents..The poverty rate of Ozark is 19.6%, which is 40% higher than national average. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Tracie had called her parents to say she and J.B. were lost . Through Gods grace and strength, weve come this far, and thats what Tracie would want us to do. Less than a week before it was set to begin, the trial for the suspect in the 1999 killings of two Dothan teenagers has been continued due to the lack of available jurors. With Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner. I cant do it alone., READ NEXT: Man Whose First Wife Died Mysteriously Is Wanted in the Murder of His Second Wife, Coley McCraney: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. . Wings, burgers, pizzas & steaks. 0. The man, Coley McCraney, was charged with capital murder in March of this year for the killings of J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett and is facing the death penalty. This score helps find the safest places to live in America. The church appears to hold services and community events at local places of worship around the Ozark area. A local news outlet reports Circuit Judge William H. Filmore has set May 2, 2022, as the start for the trial of 47-year-old Coley McCraney, who [] Kirke Adams [at the river]: Part of our job is to paint that picture for a jury, and I think it is always important to try to get a feel for the area. It didn't even say Beasley. Police accused Carl Harris of killing. David Harrison: There's absolutely no evidence at all that connects Carl Harris to this murder, none whatsoever. 936 were here. Q: Do people have the right to take your picture and publish it without your permission? He is being held at the Dale County jail without bond, according to his jail records. Carl Harris: We was all happy and everything. At the time of the murders he was 26 and living on Lisenby Drive in Ozark, about 1 mile away from where the bodies of J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett were found in 1999. OZARK, Ala. ( WDHN) Chad Brogdon's trial started on Monday. The remaining potential jurors were questioned individually about their knowledge of the case and their death penalty beliefs. JEFF BEASLEY [Interrogation]: I'm being accused of, of, of murder, of, of taking someone's life -- I couldn't. Tracey met Carl Harris when she was in high school. EX- GIRLFRIEND: I was a young, naive teenager. No one had been arrested in the nearly 20 years since the killings. Kirke Adams: Carl had let the police in his house a couple of times for them to look around. "The evidence was circumstantially strong," said Adams. didn't have a problem with each other or nothing like that. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. More than 26 years after Tracey Harris's body was found, Carl Harris was arrested on September 13, 2016 for her murder. "I never put my hands on Tracey Never," he told "48 Hours" correspondent Maureen Maher. Legal Statement. David Harrison is Carl's defense attorney. McCraney was identified as a suspect 20 years after the killings when DNA from the crime scene was submitted for genetic genealogy testing similar to how California law enforcement identified the Golden State killer in 2018. Dawn refused to come, saying she was too busy. - October 16, 2018 Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. or redistributed. Walker told WDHN-TV, I dont believe DNA lies. He called the latest developments shocking.. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Tracey won't be home. Dawn Beasley: And she says "My name is Jordan Davis, I'm with Dale County D.A. Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship said Wednesday he had no comment because he had not seen that lawsuit. McCraney was arrested Friday and charged with multiple counts of capital murder as well as first-degree rape, online jail records show. A woman Davis contacted as a possible witness told Davis that that her husband, who she is no longer married to, killed Tracey Harris. A. Carolyn Aznavour: And there was one lady. She was terrified of water. They are open every day except Monday, Saturday, and Sunday. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Dawn Beasley: One time (we were sitting at the table and) she told Carl, hey, listen, I'm going to need some money for the water bill. A 45-year-old man has been arrested in the 1999 cold case rape and murder of two teen girls in Ozark, Alabama. Please enter valid email address to continue. Police then brought the 45-year-old in for a DNA swab, the police chief added, and it matched the evidence collected at the crime scene. Dawn Beasley: It was unbelievable to me that I should end up with this incredible secret. Their deaths sparked a nationwide search. 1980 murder . Everywhere I turn, they you know, you hear them whispering in background, 'there's the man that killed Tracey. Maureen Maher: What was the cost going to be, if you went to the police? she texted me back and said that she was going to decline our invitation that she couldn't help us. Carolyn was immediately adopted by Tracey's mother. A high school education is a basic prerequisite for most . Dawn says she was honest when police questioned her after Tracey's body was found and described the abuse -- seeing Carl grab Tracey by the throat and threaten to kill her. "What happened?" Now, with Dawn Beasley's revelation that her ex-husband Jeff told her that he killed Tracey, they hoped to learn the truth. Dawn claims Jeff became abusive. They just never asked me, "who do you think did it?" Tracey's mother, was taking care of Carolyn You know young parents, you could tell, you know, that her and Carl, you know, struggled some. The Alabama Attorney General's Cold Case Unit is assisting the Walker County Sheriff's Office in investigating the death of Eric Cates, whose body along with the body of his pet dog Gypsy were found in his burned truck behind an old school in the Empire community on the morning of Saturday, March 21st, 2015. And those who knew Tracey, did not believe she was having an affair. McCraney faces multiple counts of capital murder in the deaths of Beasley and Hawlett, including one capital murder charge for the rape of Beasley. The 2018 Ozark crime rate fell by 16% compared to 2017. Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley, both 17, were found shot to death in the trunk of Beasley's car in Ozark on Aug. 1, 1999, according to reports. Then, in 2016, Ozark police announced the arrest of Tracey's ex-husband, 51-year-old Carl E. Harris Jr. The 2018 crime rate in Ozark, AL is 433 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 1.6 times greater than the U.S. average. Authorities dropped charges against an Alabama man who was accused of killing his wife 30 years ago, saying another man has confessed to the murder. Selina Dodson: A lot of people, you know, just assumed Carl would be arrested -- assumed he did it and were waiting for him to be arrested. To prepare for trial, investigators went back to the scene where Tracey Harris' body was found. David Harrison: I've tried 140 criminal jury trials. I wouldn't. And they remained confident that Carl was their man. Her growing family eventually made her think of Tracey's daughter, Carolyn. OZARK, Ala. - The wife of an Alabama man charged with capital murder in the slaying of two teenage girls nearly 20 years ago said Wednesday that he's innocent of the killings that terrified. TRACEY'S AUNT: Because it kind of shocked me, because he was saying, it was like he was smarter than the police, you know? That's my ex-husband, Jeff Beasley. More recently, McCraney was listed on the Facebook page of H.O.G. Hawlett had called her mother and told her they were on their way home, but they never made it, according to police. Cops investigating the deaths of high school seniors Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley in Ozark, Ala., got a break when DNA and a search of apublic genealogy website linked Coley McCraney, 45, to the crime, local media reported. Police thought that location by the river might provide more clues. DOTHAN, Ala. -- Alabama police have linked a. Walker said he was not considered a suspect in 1999 and had been under investigators' radar. Maybe I write a letter. In a 2018 post, McCraney is pictured under the name Bishop Coley McCraney with the caption, Bishop/ motivational speaker/ working for the Lord.. Beasley, 54, faces a charge of murder. Pinocchio was the first winner of the night, presented Circuit Judge William H. Filmore issued the order to continue the case Tuesday afternoon, citing the lack of jurors to strike a jury from. Finally, more than three years after Carl's arrest, the trial was scheduled for January 13, 2020. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Geneva County coach Holmes juggling new son and leading Lady Dawgs to state tournament, Dothan physician, daughter killed in single-vehicle crash near Barbour County line. Several years after Tracey's murder, he had left Ozark, feeling like the cloud of suspicion had destroyed his life. I talked to Tracey. Matt Elofson. We were in between high school and college that summer. NewsBreak provides latest and breaking Ozark, AL local news, weather forecast, crime and safety reports, traffic updates, event notices, sports, entertainment, local life and other items of interest in the community and nearby towns. You have permission to edit this article. Cops investigating the deaths of high school seniors Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley in Ozark, Ala., got a break when DNA and a search of a public genealogy website linked Coley McCraney, 45, to. The two teens, students at Northview High school in Dothan, were headed to a party on July 31, 1999, but got lost and ended up about 20 miles northwest in Ozark after they confused the directions, ABC Dothan affiliate WDHN reported. Ozark has a diversified economy, mild winter weather and is convenient to several of the South's metropolitan areas, as well as the beautiful white beaches of Florida. He has yet to be indicted in the case . Most of all, he claims, Harris lost a relationship with his daughter who authorities took from his custody immediately after Tracey Harris funeral. Kirke Adams: Back then, the domestic violence law was much different if the police arrived and nobody wanted to make a report there was just no reports done. It was done? McCraney has also been involved in local churches in the Dothan and Ozark area. Enterprise native named state AEA Assistant Principal of the Year, SATURDAY PREP BASEBALL: Dothan rallies past Houston Academy, Glasgow pleads guilty to federal tax evasion, mail fraud, and drug charges, Elba girls battle with grit, but fall short against Marion County in 1A state semifinals, THURSDAY PREP BASEBALL ROUNDUP: G.W. The teen friends were classmates at Northview High School in Dothan. He says Carl's arrest was motivated by politics and nothing more. Maureen Maher: What did you grow up thinking happened to your mom? Daveed Diggs kicked off the show with opening comments. Maureen Maher: What did people tell you about him? About a dozen witnesses gave investigators statements describing Carl Harris's physical abuse of Traceysomething Carl denies. Despite the suspicion, no arrest was made and the case languished. Dart. But then in the back of my mind, I'm like, was it really him? Ozark Map. McCraney has worked for several trucking companies in Alabama over the past 20 years, according to the Dothan Eagle. This is the moment. Tracey Harris, 22, disappeared on March 7, 1990. "Everybody thought I killed her. Pike Road head football coach resigns after 1 season, Alabama, 4 other states prevail in suit to block Equal Rights Amendment certification, Youth mental health is a growing concern in Alabama. He faces life in prison or the death penalty if convicted. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The swab matched evidence collected at the crime scene, according to Walker. And so, Dawn made her decision. (Dale County Jail). Dawn Beasley: I told Jordan, I have given you completely honest reasons why I don't want to testify, but the most important reason I can't testify is because you have an innocent man on trial. Her death was ruled a homicide. And in 2016, with the arrest of her estranged father Carl, Carolyn thought, finally, she would get some answers. Email Map. Dawn said Jeff had told her that Tracey and he fought at the Harris home. Kirke Adams| Dale County District Attorney [by the river]: Tracey was alive when she came to this location and traveled down this access road to the beachy area. Kirke Adams: It was certainly one of the first places that investigators were looking for Tracey. McCraney does not appear to have a criminal record in Alabama that would have required him to submit his DNA into a national database. OZARK, Ala. (AP) A trial is scheduled next year in the capital murder of two Alabama teenagers who were found in the trunk of a car in 1999. And I broke. Those things just add up. Coley McCraney with his wife and friends. she felt like if she could just get through the rough stuff, you know, that it would be OK. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. It is a trial that was supposed to take place in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it didn't. So, Monday was his first day where he met the jury for the first time. His record is spotless, a source told WDHN-TV. And maybe he freaked out and made sure she wasn't going to ruin his family. Property Crime Rates In Ozark 619 Property Crimes 4,311.2 Property Crimes / 100k People 104.33% Above National Average And that's what I need. Just a 10-minute drive away, the Army base attracted - and still does - a slew of newcomers to town. Market data provided by Factset. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1992, where he was the president of the library club and was an athlete, according to WDHN-TV. McCraney was 26 at the time of the killings. Dawn Beasley: And every word of my statement was true. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! A judge pushed back the trial of Coley McCraney until 20-21 due to COVID-19 . (334) 445-0156. He maintained his innocence, even after being told he failed the polygraph. Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams and Assistant DA Jordan Davis spent years building a case against Carl Harris for the murder of his ex-wife, Tracey. OZARK, Ala. (WTVY) - A woman who had accused Ozark police of covering up the murder of two teens to protect one of their own recanted those claims in explosive testimony on Thursday. Maureen Maher: Was there any relief for you after all this time? But the fact is she could have kept that secret for forever. 101.79% higher than the Alabama violent crime rate of 510.8 per 100,000 people. "She was a very sweet friend a very shy person," said friend Selina Dodson. Northview High School yearbook photos of Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley from 1999. She got mad at me. "I. 2618 US Hwy 231 N. Ozark, AL 36360. "I went over to Carl's to talk to Carl, Carl wasn't there. The girls, both from Dothan, had traveled from. Hawlett's mother, Carol Roberts, said in 2007 that the girls called her from a gas station, telling her they were on their way home, according to the local station. The upcoming 20th anniversary, along with the April 2018 arrest of Golden State Killer suspect Joseph James DeAngelo, prompted the police department to send evidence from the crime scene to Parabon Labs, a Reston, Virginia, company that provides DNA phenotype services, Walker said. Maureen Maher: Were you worried that there was some new piece of evidence that they had? (Police) abused the process, they slandered him, and they committed negligence, Harrison told News 4. Along with his attorney David Harrison, they held their own press conference. An Alabama preacher has been arrested for the 1999 cold case murders of two 17-year-old girls thanks to DNA testing, officials said Monday. TAG: 334-774-8427 PROPERTY: 334-774-2226. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, Prosecution wraps its case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Tracey Harris, 22, was a young mother from Ozark, Alabama. Dawn met Jeff shortly after he was released from prison, having served four years for burglary and escape attempts. DNA has led to an arrest in the cold case murder of two Alabama girls, according to reports. JEFF BEASLEY: She said she was leaving Carl and wanted me to leave Dawn and I wouldn't. They also wanted Jeff to explain those bruises the autopsy noted on Tracey's neck -- marks authorities felt were consistent with strangulation. Jordan Davis: I was actually 3 when this happened, so from 1990 -- and we're trying to track down witnesses We were dealing with people that had moved all over the country. For people to come out and care this much, its a miracle. Carolyn spoke with the sheriff, who put her in touch with the Ozark Police Department. One of those people was Dawn Beasley. It was higher than in 93.1% U.S. cities. Details of McCraneys military service were also not immediately available. Jordan Davis Right I was aggravated I simply got a subpoena ready, and we gave it to our investigators the next day. When you put the timeline in this case Maureen, unless he was on a Learjet, that was impossible. What we thought was interesting was that she had witnessed it in the same manner as how Tracey was actually killed. And said she was telling Dawn. For more than four hours, Beasley insisted he had nothing to do with Tracey's death: JEFF BEASLEY: It seem like you guys are wanting me to say I did something, when I didn't . Prosecutors do not know why or who spray-painted the name under the bridge. How Ben Davis Died On Ozark After being put in a state hospital to treat his bipolar disorder following an arrest, Ben was sprung from the facility by Ruth with the help of Darlene Snell. " people really liked her and respected her. Carl Harris: Honestly, wasn't any of their business. Jury selection in the . Alabama police have linked a suspect to the 1999 cold case murders of two 17-year-old girls using DNA and genetic genealogy. DA KIRKE ADAMS [to reporters]: - I have dismissed the murder case against Carl Harris. 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