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Jacob Levi Shaffer Accused of Killing 6 in Double State Homicide
Jacob Levi Shaffer made his first appearance in court this morning, accused of killing six people in two states, in the towns of Fayetteville and Huntsville in what first appeared to be unrelated killings due to the distance, but it is now believed that Shaffer killed all six.
Shaffer's victims:
His wife, Tracie Shaffer.
Her son Devin Brooks, 16.
Devin's friend, Robert Berber, 16
Tracie's father, Billy Hall, 57.
Her brother, Chris Hall, 34.
Billy Hall's employee, Steve Dempsey, 50.
Jacob Levi Shaffer appeared via teleconference in Lincoln County.
With a simple "Yes", Shaffer agreed to court appointed attorneys Dorothy Buck and Bill Harold and shook his head when asked if he had any questions.
The five people murdered in Tennessee died from multiple stab wounds, and although the autopsys are complete, the toxicology results are still pending.
Tracie Shaffer, who was estranged from her husband, was apparently the main target of the killings, and neighbors said that the two had argued on the Friday.
Steve Dempsey was killed first, either late Friday, or early Saturday, and he was found at Hall's Cultured Marble and Granite on Orchard Street on Saturday. Authorities believe that Shaffer then drove to Lincoln County and killed Tracie's father and brother in their home.
He crossed the street to stab Devin Brooks and Robert Berber, and killed Tracie last.
Ribbons have been hung at the local church in memory of the two teenagers.
"Most loyal friend you could have," said friend and fellow church member Cody Tate. "He was always there for you, no matter what."
Pastor Robert Doud said the two young teens were inseparable friends:
"They were just sweet, awesome kids," he said. "It was an honor to know them both."
A memorial fund has been set up at the Redstone Federal Credit Union for the Hall family.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 16:46 on July 20th, 2009
Thanks Amy. I heard one of the victims was his wife. Very sad
at 21:06 on July 20th, 2009
Divorces and domestic quarrels are the worst . A policemen told me that almost all
the homes they are called to are couples fighting and usually alcohol or drugs are involved.
I remember when my husband of 20 years left us for a long year with no contact except
by phone. He came by to pick up my children and I smelled alcohol. I told him he could
not take them. At that moment for the first time in my life I understood why some people
are capable of killing. I knew if I so much as touched him he would have knocked me
and I also knew if I had power I could have torn him to pieces. Anyone can kill if they
feel threatened or their children are. A policemen then told me they would be parked
outside anytime he came by if I just called and said he would be around. Just the site of
their car would help to "settle" a quarrel that would erupt etc. I did not know they did
such things. It was in a very nice neighbor hood with very little crime. People breaking
up often have one or both partners who have serious issues if being abandoned without
warning. I quoted the scripture, "vengeance is mine saith the Lord, I will repay".
I have lived long enough to see him with his world blown apart...KARMIC JUSTICE!!
We do not have enough social workers , ministers etc. to educate families at risk to prevent
such happenings. They usually do not join community so others can offer guidance and
suggestions. Isolation is dangerous for narcissists, and anyone of the many mental
disorders which can surface and harm more that the ones raging.
I support being able to have a gun too. People in these situations would harm them in
some other brutal way whether they had a gun or not..
When someone is divorcing and they say, "ahhh, he would never do that"...usually do not
know the truth of the power of the shadow.