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Jacob Levi Shaffer Accused of Killing 6 in Double State Homicide

by Amy Judd | July 20, 2009 at 03:02 pm

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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.