Blue Ridge shooting leaves one dead, one in custody
Arrest Reports March 10, 2022FANNIN, Ga. — Blue Ridge resident Vernon Ronald Bennett, 48, was arrested on March 9, 2022. Bennett was charged with aggravated assault and murder following a shooting that took place near Loud Lane in Blue Ridge. According to the booking report, he was not given bail.
Jennifer Layman, 54, was killed during the incident, and another victim was hospitalized but expected to survive. Both were Blue Ridge residents. The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to a call about a person shot and took Bennett into custody after arriving at the scene. The Blue Ridge Police Department and Sheriff’s Office found Layman during a welfare check following the initial incident.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Blue Ridge Police Department are all involved in the investigation of the shooting. At its completion, the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office will prosecute.
Bennett was booked by the Fannin County Sherriff’s Office at 2:13 p.m. on March 9.
Bond Set for Couple Accused of Inciting An Illegal Adoption
Featured, News July 15, 2019Blue Ridge, Ga – Magistrate court set bond at $75,000 for the couple who attempted an unlawful adoption by inducing a Fannin County mother to give up her child for a vehicle.
The order to reinstate bond for Rebecca and William McClain was filed on July 11, 2019, by their attorney Robert Ferguson and presented to the Fannin County Magistrate Court with Judge Brian Jones presiding and Assistant District Attorney Morris Martin representing the State.
Bond set at $75,000 per person established conditions for McClains to maintain once their release, including a mandatory mental health evaluation within 30 days of release. The couple can’t leave the state of Georgia, keep firearms, submit to random drug and alcohol testing, and no contact with Fannin County DFCS, anyone underage, witnesses, the parents of the child, or the child.
In the affidavit, GBI Agent Jamie Abercrombie attests that Rebecca and William McClain knowingly individually and as a unit attempt to induce the child’s mother into parting with her child on June 25 between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m. at their Fannin County home.
If they violate any of their bond conditions, the offending party will be arrested and returned to jail.
The couple, Rebecca and William McClain had been caring for the ten-month-old child for several weeks and expressed interest in adopting.
Fannin County Sheriff’s Office called GBI on Wednesday, June 26 for assistance in an unlawful adoption investigation, where a local couple tried to convince the mother to sign over her parental rights for a vehicle.
GBI conducted a search of the McClain’s home on Laurel Crossing on Thursday, June 27. Abercrombie arrested the pair for directly or indirectly holding out an inducement to a biological parent to part with his or her child. This is in accordance with O.C.G.A. 19-8-24.
Fannin County Sheriff’s Office booked the two felony charges of unlawful inducement for the McClains – one count for each individual. The couple was unemployed at the time of booking.
Rebecca McClain is a former employee of Union County DFCS. The organization’s currently assisting with the GBI investigation.
The baby was found in good condition and was placed in foster care by DFCS.
Two adults have now been arrested in McKinney Murder Case
Featured, News February 12, 2019Blue Ridge, Ga. – Two more have been arrested in the McKinney murder case.
Twenty year old Michael Chase Havard and twenty year old Kevin Jack Chamaty. Both individuals are being charged with murder.
Attention was first drawn to Havard and Chamaty when Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Special Agent Jamie Abercrombie testified at an initial appearance and bond hearing for the juveniles also charged in the case.
According to Abercrombie another individual came forward on night of Wednesday Dec. 5, 2018. Havard voluntarily arrived at the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and told staff that he had information regarding the McKinney murder.
Abercrombie said, “Havard provided a written statement.” The Special Agent also told about how Havard shed light onto the shooter of Franklin.
Havard was visiting a friend, Kevin Chamaty, who resided at Lakota Cloer’s residence on Dec. 3. Cloer who had been charged in the McKinney murder accepted a plea deal in which he will have to serve 15 years behind bars.
It was during this visit that Havard recalled Hunter Hill, Blake Dickey, both of which have been charged with the murder of Justin McKinney and assault of Anna Franklin, along with Cloer and another individual, 15 year old Levi Manuel, were discussing the plans to “pop and rob” McKinney.
According to the interview with Havard, Hill said that the four were “going to rob someone who had marijuana and pills” and asked Havard if he wanted in. Hill also told Havard that they were going to shoot everyone there and take whatever they have.
Havard declined and left with friend Chamaty to go to Walmart. Chamaty received a call later that night in the early morning hours of Dec. 4 from Cloer. Cloer stated that he was on Maple Grove Road and was in need of gas.
Havard and Chamaty drove to meet Cloer and gave him gas for his truck. Cloer was by himself and told Havard that he had dropped off Hill, Dickey and Manuel on Elrod Lane.
Having not heard from Manuel, Havard and Cloer went to look for the three. Chamaty parked at a church and waited for Havard to return.
As Havard walked down Elrod Lane, he says that he saw a light and heard “it’s me” in a voice that he recognized as Manuel.
Once back to Cloer’s truck the juveniles, along with Havard, met Chamaty and proceeded back to the Cloer residence.
“Mr. Hill had made statements that everyone was dead,” Abercrombie recalled Havard’s testimony. Havard also stated that Manuel made comments that he had unloaded a clip into the girl and that Hill, who was last out of the residence, stated that he had finished Franklin off and killed Donald Majors, a third resident who was present at the Franklin home where McKinney had been murdered.
The boys at this point believed that everyone in the home was deceased.
Havard stated that Manuel was the one who had the .25 caliber handgun, and admitted that he had advised Cloer to dispose of the weapon.
Cloer attempted to scratch off the serial numbers on the handgun before getting rid of the weapon. Chamaty then drove Havard and Cloer to the “cliffs at Nottely Lake” where Cloer threw the gun into the water.
Havard later took FCSO Investigator John Arp and GBI Special Agent Abercrombie to Nottely Lake and showed where the handgun had been thrown. With the help of divers the gun was recovered.
FetchYourNews will keep you up-to-date as further details emerge surrounding the McKinney Murder Case.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
McKinney murder, what happened that night? FYN Exclusive interview with survivor Anna Franklin
Featured, News, Police & Government December 13, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – Shortly after midnight, in the early morning hours of Dec. 4 gunshots rang out at a home on Elrod Lane in Morganton, Ga. The shots resulted in the murder of 33 year old Justin McKinney and a critically wounded second victim, Anna Franklin.
Not many facts have been released regarding the McKinney murder case, but 4 juveniles have been arrested and charged with the crime.
Surprise came to Fannin County as the arrests were announced. Fifteen year old Blake Dickey (AKA Blake Dye), 15 year old Hunter Hill, 15 year old Dalton Manuel and 16 year old Lakota Cloer were detained. Citizens were shocked to learn that such crime would come from a group of teens.
Franklin sat down with FetchYourNews to discuss the events that took place that night and to dispel rumors surrounding the possible motive of the boys.
Franklin and McKinney were about to go to bed when the couple heard loud banging coming from their front door. According to Franklin, McKinney answered the door to find Blake Dickey and Hunter Hill asking to come in.
According to Franklin, Dickey and Hill had told the couple that they “had to jump out of someone’s car and run but they didn’t say who or why”.
“I would have never expected them two to do anything like that,” Franklin said about the boys. “Hunter and Blake always seemed like calm, good kids to me, and it does not make sense.”
Franklin acknowledged that the couple knew Dickey and Hill, and that McKinney had been friends with the boys’ fathers for years.
“All the Hill brothers used to come over and help Justin with his animals. He had a lot of animals and they would help him feed them and clean their cages and everything,” Franklin said recalling the relationship with the Hill family and added about Dickey, “Blake had always been real quiet.”
Once the boys entered the home, Franklin says that their demeanor became calm, not as it had been just moments prior when the boys where found banging on the door.
For the next fifteen minutes the two boys and McKinney spoke. Franklin says she sat on a nearby loveseat but didn’t hear what the three were talking about because she was distracted by her phone.
“There was no argument or nothing,” Franklin spoke of the interaction, “If somebody had raised their voice I would have looked up and payed attention.”
McKinney got up at some point to tend the fire, and that is when Franklin heard the first gun shot. She thought at first it was a loud crackle in the fire, but as the second shot came she quickly realized it was gunfire.
“After the second shot I looked over towards him (McKinney) and he wasn’t where he was,” Franklin continued, “I didn’t know if they were going to shoot at me or not. I just covered my face because I was scared.”
Two more shots were fired at this point, and one of those shots struck Franklin. The bullet went through Franklin’s arm and entered her face, shattering her jaw and lodging in her neck.
Franklin spoke of the bullet that is unable to be removed from her neck, “What they told me when I was at the hospital, it will cause more damage if they do it.” The wound has caused Franklin to lose feeling in the bottom half of her face.
After being shot Franklin said that she heard Hill yell Dickey’s name and the two boys fled.
“I didn’t see who pulled the trigger. I didn’t have time to look,” Franklin didn’t lower her arm until the boys were gone. “I don’t know if they thought I was ok or not, but they aimed at both of our heads.”
After Franklin uncovered her face she says she jumped up and shut the front door and locked it. She then turned her attention to McKinney.
“Then I ran to Justin. His eyes were open but I knew he didn’t see me. I tried to stop the blood with my clothes but couldn’t. It was pooling around my feet,” Franklin became emotional as she spoke of McKinney. “I had to leave him to go call them (911) on the house phone. My mind was not accepting that he was gone.”
Franklin said that she never saw the other two boys (Cloer and Manuel) that have been charged in the case nor did she see a vehicle at her home.
Rumors have spread surrounding this case regarding a motive that would lead four teens to conspire to murder. Drugs have been a common theme among these rumors. Franklin wanted to set the record straight.
“It’s not what everybody keeps talking about,” Franklin said of the gossip about McKinney, “He smoked pot. He had nothing to do with meth or coke (cocaine) or anything like that. He was very against it. What they’re saying about those drugs aren’t true. He was very against anything that would hurt somebody like that.”
Hearsay has also come about that McKinney sold Hill’s older brother drugs that had an adverse effect on the young man and that the murder was revenge. Franklin said on this speculation, “That’s ridiculous. His brother might have had something, but it was not from Justin.”
Franklin acknowledged that it is possible that the boys had planned on robbing McKinney of his marijuana that night, but says that she didn’t feel like they were there long enough to have taken anything and said of her own speculation of a possible motive, “That’s something I can’t figure out.”
Franklin, who had been with McKinney for the last six years, wants people to know of the man who was murdered, “He was everything to me. He made sure that I was ok. He had a very good heart.”
“What happened will be forever burned in my mind,” Franklin spoke with tear filled eyes as she recounted the events that unfolded in the early morning hours of Dec. 4.
Related Articles:
Details emerge surrounding murder case in Fannin County
Fatal Shooting in Fannin County
Two more arrested in McKinney murder case
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Details emerge surrounding murder case in Fannin County
Featured, News, Police & Government December 6, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – The two defendants recently arrested for the murder of 33 year old Justin McKinney on Tuesday, Dec. 4 made their first appearance in a Fannin County courtroom today.
Appalachian Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver presided over this initial hearing to establish representation for the defendants as well as grant permission for two motions being made by Defense Attorney David Farnham.
Both of the 15 year old defendants made their way into the courtroom shackled and displaying a calm demeanor. Blake Dickey (AKA Blake Dye) had already obtained legal representation through Farnham, but co-defendant Hunter Hill opted for a Public Defender.
Public Defender Clint Hooker was present to represent defendant Hunter Hill.
“I believe our office does have a conflict as we have represented at least one of the victims,” Hooker stated of the ability of his office to represent Hill. Due to this conflict of interest Hooker was only present to answer questions for Hill, but Hill’s Public Defender for future hearings will be assigned at a later date.
The boys sat quietly as Weaver read the charges, and replied with a “yes” only when asked if they understood the charges against them. Currently both juveniles have been charged with felony murder.
According to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), a 911 call came into Fannin County dispatch at approximately 12:50 a.m. the morning of Dec. 4. The caller, 35 year old Anna Franklin, indicated that she and a male victim, McKinney, had been shot.
When Fannin County deputies arrived to a home off of Elrod Lane, McKinney was deceased. Franklin was taken to a hospital with trauma care for treatment.
Sources have told FetchYourNews that McKinney had received a fatal gunshot wound to the head, and that Franklin was also shot at point blank range. She, however, deflected the shot by throwing up her arm in a defensive stance.
According to these sources, the bullet entered and exited the arm before entering Franklin’s face and becoming lodged in the neck.
While both juvenilles have been charged with felony murder relating to the death of McKinney, neither have been charged with the attempted murder of Franklin.
Weaver addressed a consent order that she had received via Dickey’s attorney Farnham : “One of the things that was emailed to me was a consent order signed by you (Farnham) on behalf of your client and Ms. Sosebee on behalf of the state requesting a motion and order for blood test examination.”
Debate arose as to whether this testing had already been done with Dickey claiming that blood had already been drawn. Through further discussion it was determined that the blood drawn at the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center was for the purpose of medical screening.
Parties agreed to have the blood testing done on Dickey. District Attorney Alison B. Sosebee explained, “At this point in time the current arrangements would be after the first appearance here there will be a transport of Mr. Dickey, also known as Mr. Dye, back to the Dalton facility. Prior to him being transported to the Dalton facility he will be taken to Fannin Regional Hospital for that blood draw to occur.”
Questions arose for the need of this test since the incident occured several days ago. This led some to speculate that the testing’s purpose is to check for drug use by the defendant.
Drugs have been a common rumor circulating via social media regarding the motive of the young men to commit murder. While there has been no confirmation of drugs directly relating to the crime, it is confirmed that family members of the defendants as well as the alleged victims themselves have a history of run-ins with local law enforcement over drug related charges.
Family members were not present at the hearing today which led to Weaver question counsel: “Were the parents not invited to the hearing this morning?”
Weaver also questioned if family of the alleged victims had been notified of the hearing. With short notice being given prior to this hearing, it was discovered that not all parties had been contacted.
“In the future we really need to notify the parents if we hear anything about hearings,” Weaver spoke to defense and prosecution.
“I just want to put on the record that I was informed that my client was taken from school, handcuffed, and was brought down for interrogation at the sheriff’s department without counsel and without his mother’s knowledge or any custodial parents,” Dickey’s attorney, Farnham, stated before dismissal at the hearing. “I do not want any further interrogation of my client unless counsel is present.”
This request brought the realization to many in the courtroom that after allegedly committing murder the two young defendants then went to school the next day, carrying on routine as though nothing had happened just hours previously.
Agreement was made that no further interrogation would conducted without counsel present. Weaver added of this decision, “Certainly that will go for both defendants because the court has now provided an attorney for Mr. Hill.”
Bond was not requested for either of the defendants at this initial hearing. Farnham stated that he would like more time to review all of the circumstances surrounding the case, and that due to threats being made on social media that there is a possibility that for, at least his client (Dickey), bond might not be sought at all.
After the hearing today the boys were transported to separate detention facilities. Hill will be transferred to Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center and Dickey will return to Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center.
While both youths are being charged and tried as adults, Georgia state law mandates that they be held in juvenile detention centers until the age of 17.
If convicted of felony murder both Hill and Dickey face a sentence of life in prison. According to Georgia law since the crime has been committed while the defendants were only 15 years of age they are both ineligible for the death penalty.
More charges are expected as GBI continues their investigation, and there is rumor of a possible third suspect being involved in the case. FetchYourNews will bring you the latest as this story unfolds.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Two more arrested in McKinney murder case
Featured, News, Police & Government December 7, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – Two more arrests were made in connection with the murder of Justin McKinney.
Fifteen year old Dalton Levi Manuel and 16 year old Lakota Ricky Cloer were detained last night. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI):
On Thursday, December 6, 2018, two additional arrests were made in this case. Dalton Levi Manuel, 15, of Morganton, GA was arrested and charged with murder and Lakota Ricky Cloer, 16, of Morganton, GA was charged with party to the crime of murder. Both will be housed in regional youth detention centers.
Still dressed in civilian clothing to pair made their way into a Fannin County courtroom for an initial appearance today.
Appalachian Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver presided over the hearing and opened the court by questioning, “Have the families of the alleged victims been notified of today’s hearing?”
“They have not your honor,” District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee replied giving explanation: “We are waiting on information from the investigative agency, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, to get that final contact information.”
Weaver individually read the warrants against the boys charging each with the crime of murder and informed them of their rights.
Cloer, the older of the pair, told the court that his family would be hiring an attorney to represent his case, while Manuel expressed uncertainty and opted for a Public Defender.
Public Defender Clint Hooker was present in the courtroom again today to advise the defendants on their rights. However, there is an ongoing conflict of interest with Hooker’s team defending the boys due to having represented at least one of the alleged victims in the past.
“I have asked the public defenders office to sit and be with you today to make sure that none of your rights are violated,” Judge Weaver explained the presence of the defense team on hand in the courtroom.
Family members of the defendants were present in the courtroom, and the mother of Cloer spoke up about her son before dismissal.
“Lakota has had death threats against him, at the Marietta youth detention center, so if we could request him to be sent to a different location,” Cloer’s mother spoke on her son’s behalf and clarified, “From other inmates. They told him that if he came back they were going to kill him.”
Sosebee offered to inform the proper parties of the threats that have been made and allow the detention center to take any action needed.
“He did let them know at the detention center and I don’t know what actions were taken, if any,” Cloer’s mother replied and added, “I just want my son safe.”
Weaver agreed with informing the detention center of the threats, and told Cloer’s mother that the wardens at the facility would be told directly.
“Do you know with the ongoing investigation will there be others who may need a first appearance Monday or Tuesday of next week? Do you know if anyone else might be arrested in this matter?” Judge Weaver questioned Sosebee before adjournment.
District Attorney Sosebee replied that she would not be able to answer that question with the investigation still ongoing.
More charges are expected to come in the case, including those related to a second victim, Anna Franklin, that was also shot in the early morning hours of Dec. 4.
Related Articles:
Details emerge surrounding murder case in Fannin County
Fatal shooting in Fannin County
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Update – Fatal shooting in Fannin County
News, Police & Government December 5, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga – Update on Fannin County Murder Investigation. GBI Press Release Dec. 5, 2018
Blue Ridge (December 4, 2018)- On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, the GBI and the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office arrested Blake Dickey AKA Blake Dye, 15, and Hunter Hill, 15, both of Blairsville, Georgia for the murder of Justin McKinney, 33 of Morganton, Georgia. They were each charged with one count of murder; however additional charges are pending. Dye and Hill will be housed at the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center.
On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at approximately 1:38 AM, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested to assist the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office with a murder investigation. At approximately 12:50 AM, the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of Elrod Lane, Morganton, Fannin County, Georgia. Deputies were dispatched to the area as a result of a 911 call in which the caller indicated she and a male subject were shot. When deputies arrived on scene, the male subject, McKinney was deceased. The female, Anna Franklin, 35 of Morganton, Georgia was taken to the hospital for treatment.
McKinney’s autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, December 5, 2018.
Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be provided to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution Hill Booking Report
Initial report below:
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that a fatal shooting took place in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 4.
According to a press release from GBI, a 911 call came into dispatch at approximately 12:50 a.m. The caller, a female victim, indicated that she and a male victim had been shot.
When deputies arrived to a home in the area of Elrod Lane, Morganton, Ga. the male subject was deceased. The female was taken to a hospital with trauma care for treatment.
Fannin County Sheriff’s Office did request additional assistance from GBI as is standard in cases of this nature.
Names are not being released of the victims at this time as it is an open and ongoing investigation. An autopsy of the male subject is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
More details will be released to the public upon completion of the investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]