Ole_Hickory
Silver Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2004
- Messages
- 169
BULLETS AND CROSSFIRE ON CLAY'S MURDER MOUNTAIN - Shooters Connected To Murder Cases
(08/19/2004)
By Bob Weaver
Bullets are flying in remote Clay County with citizens ducking and hiding in what appears to be a drug war, the participants threatening to kill each other and get even.
Residents of Clay's Ovapa area, locally known as "Murder Mountain," have been sleeping lightly the past three nights, doors locked and secured as State Police respond to call after call.
They say hundreds of rounds of automatic gunfire have been heard ringing across the hills in the area near the Clay-Roane line, with several well-known residents trying to kill each other.
Shooting victim Richard Cummings collapsed on the porch of a neighbor who was somewhat reluctant to assist him after he had been shot in his mobile home and was running down a country road.
His assailant Tommy Young Sr. has been arrested, while other members of Young's family continue to participate in the battle.
Many of the participants have a history related to drug use and distribution, and several have been connected to various murder cases, including the murder of Judd Reid by Tattoo Vince Gosolow at Tariff in Roane County.
This week's shoot-out is a who's-who of individuals whose names surfaced in that case, where Judd Reid's body was hauled from a Roane County farm and dumped on Pisgah Ridge near Clay.
Richard Cummings and his girlfriend testified in the Reid murder case.
They and others turned state's evidence and testified against Tattoo Vince.
Even a drug arrest by other officials at Creston in Wirt County has surfaced Russell Davis, who testified against Tattoo Vince and was present when Judd Reid was murdered. (See Hur Herald story)
New accusations may be surfacing regarding the disappearance of 18-year-old Crystal Dawn Starcher of Spencer, who walked outside her mother's apartment to get a pack of cigarettes and has not been seen for nearly two years.
More to follow...
Postings on Clay Communicator
(08/19/2004)
By Bob Weaver
Bullets are flying in remote Clay County with citizens ducking and hiding in what appears to be a drug war, the participants threatening to kill each other and get even.
Residents of Clay's Ovapa area, locally known as "Murder Mountain," have been sleeping lightly the past three nights, doors locked and secured as State Police respond to call after call.
They say hundreds of rounds of automatic gunfire have been heard ringing across the hills in the area near the Clay-Roane line, with several well-known residents trying to kill each other.
Shooting victim Richard Cummings collapsed on the porch of a neighbor who was somewhat reluctant to assist him after he had been shot in his mobile home and was running down a country road.
His assailant Tommy Young Sr. has been arrested, while other members of Young's family continue to participate in the battle.
Many of the participants have a history related to drug use and distribution, and several have been connected to various murder cases, including the murder of Judd Reid by Tattoo Vince Gosolow at Tariff in Roane County.
This week's shoot-out is a who's-who of individuals whose names surfaced in that case, where Judd Reid's body was hauled from a Roane County farm and dumped on Pisgah Ridge near Clay.
Richard Cummings and his girlfriend testified in the Reid murder case.
They and others turned state's evidence and testified against Tattoo Vince.
Even a drug arrest by other officials at Creston in Wirt County has surfaced Russell Davis, who testified against Tattoo Vince and was present when Judd Reid was murdered. (See Hur Herald story)
New accusations may be surfacing regarding the disappearance of 18-year-old Crystal Dawn Starcher of Spencer, who walked outside her mother's apartment to get a pack of cigarettes and has not been seen for nearly two years.
More to follow...
Postings on Clay Communicator
