Murder arrest made in Midwest City’s Holly Lane Homicide
Update:
Below is the just-released press release from Midwest City, and below that, our most recent story on the murder by Tiffany Gibson.
Murder Arrest Made in Holly Lane Homicide
Midwest City, OK—A 22 year old woman and her boyfriend, Phillip Michael Potts, 23, were both discovered unconscious inside 1038 Holly Lane around 5:30 p.m. on Monday and originally listed as witnesses surrounding the violent death of Violet Hemphill. Potts was released from the hospital Tuesday and interviewed throughout the evening. He has been arrested on a charge of Murder in the First Degree in connection with Hemphill’s homicide and being held in the Midwest City Police Department jail until transfer toOklahomaCountyjail.
The woman was released today and has provided Detectives Wade Ramsey and Karl Landers specific details regarding the murder. It was learned that after Hemphill was killed, both the woman and Potts made a pact to commit suicide by drug overdose and natural gas inhalation. Each left notes and took prescription drugs.A relative of Hemphill became concerned about her welfare on Monday and went to the home onHolly Lane. Once on the porch, he smelled a strong odor of natural gas and called 911.
When police officers and firefighters arrived, they made forced entry into the house and found the woman and Potts unresponsive and nude in one bedroom. Hemphill was found in the another bedroom dead from multiple traumas. The gas stove controls had been turned to the “on” position with no flame, allowing the natural gas to flow freely throughout the residence. Also, it appeared several electric outlets were modified in an attempt to ignite the gas and cause an explosion.
“The interview process is ongoing with Potts’ girlfriend and once all the facts are determined, we will confer with the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office regarding possible charges, if any, against her. Right now the woman is still classified as a witness.” Chief Brandon Clabes said.
Potts is Hemphill’s nephew and had been staying with her, along with his girlfriend, for a few days before the killing occurred.
By Tiffany Gibson
Staff reporter
MIDWEST CITY — A home where a woman was found dead and two other people were found unconscious smelled strongly of natural gas, police said Tuesday.
Police Chief Brandon Clabes said Violet Hemphill, 64, was found dead Monday night at her house in the 1000 block of Holly Lane. Hemphill had obvious trauma to her body, Clabes said, but he did not elaborate.
The state medical examiner’s office has not determined her cause or manner of death.
Police said a relative went to the home to make a welfare check about 5:30 p.m. Monday and noticed a strong odor of natural gas. Authorities found Hemphill dead.
Clabes said it appears that the controls on the gas stove had been deliberately turned on to fill the house with natural gas.
Firefighters disconnected the gas and electricity to render the house safe for investigators.
The woman’s 23-year-old nephew and his 22-year-old girlfriend were found unresponsive in a bedroom. Both were taken to a hospital, where the woman was listed in critical condition.
Police said the man was recovering and was expected to be released Tuesday.
Clabes said the couple suffered from gas asphyxiation and possibly a drug overdose. He said they will be questioned about the homicide.
“This is a very strange homicide and obviously, based on evidence at the scene, the nephew and girlfriend are witnesses, but we have been unable to interview them due to their medical condition,” Clabes said. “Officers are assigned with the witnesses until they are medically stable and brought to headquarters.”
He said the three occupants had lived in the house for a month. The home belonged to Hemphill’s mother, who recently died.
Police hadn’t been called to the residence before.
Read more: http://newsok.com/article/3649056#ixzz1mTqnCJj2
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