That did not occur in that case. He did not attend his parents funerals. The teen denied shooting either of his parents and claimed he had been handcuffed in the back. 'My office has reason to believe any of these three scenarios could have occurred, but we have no proof to support any of the three theories beyond a reasonable doubt,' Houston said. His current base, where he plans to reside with his wife, Diana, for the foreseeable future, is Berlin, Germany. Holton's parents called police when they arrived home one Sunday morning and discovered their son had held a party at the house the night before. Want to be alerted when breaking news happens? The fathers full name was Jesse Michael Holton, and he was born on June 3, 1979. ', Only three people had been in that home, and now one of them was dead. Holton was charged with first-degree murder in both of his parents deaths, 'I don't think that,' the teen responded. Investigators found Michaels DNA under Aprils fingernails and Michael had scrapes on his face, suggesting a possible struggle. The separated couple was found dead inside Mike Holtons home, and it was their eldest son, Jesse Madison Holton, then 17, who was charged, as an adult, with first-degree murder in both their deaths. She was a graduate of 1997 Class of Elmore County High School, where she played in the band; she was saxophone section leader and also assistant drum major. Holton told authorities that his father shot his mother before turning the gun on himself. Investigators initially believed it looked like a murder-suicide but after the state pathologist determined Michael had been shot in the back of the head, the death was classified as a homicide. April who had suffered gunshot wounds through her hand as if she had tried to defend herself from the attack as well as to her head was struggling for her life but later died at a local hospital. Holton,. Holtons attorney, Thomas J. Azar Jr. said previously an expert has examined the note and determined the handwriting is that of Michael Holton. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 254.8. However, in preparing the case for trialthe most they could say is its more likely than not that its a homicide. He further continued to add that, We did have fingerprints, but they were not Jesse Holtons fingerprints. The station reported that the bullet entered the back left side of his (Mike Holtons) head and exited through the front right. According to The Montgomery Advertiser, testimony described the parents wounds this way: Mike Holton was shot in back of the head, on the left sidewith the bullet exiting the front of his head. April Holton was sent to a Montgomery hospital, but died. People say I showed no emotion. He told the deputy he found drug paraphernalia associated with the party, the Wetumpka Herald reported. Eclectic Arrests and Warrants | Alabama Jail Inmate Search He served as Mayor of Eclectic from 2012-2014. Michael Holton and his estranged wife, April, were found on the bedroom floor of the home suffering from what would ultimately be fatal gunshot wounds, but was it a murder-suicide by a man distressed by his crumbling marriage or had the couples rebellious 17-year-old old son Jesse Madison Holton known as Madison pulled the trigger in a fit of rage, killing both his parents? Michael had also been under the influence of hydrocodone, oxycodone and tramadol at the time of the murder. RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: What do we want? Better late than never! This is much higher than both the Alabama state crime rate of 3,480 per 100,000 persons and the United States national crime rate of 2,837 per 100,000 persons.. According to our research of Alabama and other state lists, there were 10 registered sex offenders living in Eclectic, Alabama as of May 01, 2023. He had told the investigators that after the deputy left, his parents began fighting, going into the bedroom and closing the door, where he subsequently heard physical attacks taking place. Charanjit Gill, 60, and Gurmeet Gill, 57, are the owners of Taj Mahal. He seemed more concerned about missing homecoming, school and things of that nature, Franklin said. Madisons uncle Chris Owenby believed on the day of the shooting, Michael snapped and killed his wife before shooting himself. The second thing that the investigators looked into, and quite possibly the most important, was their witness, the only other person at the scene, Jesse Madison Holton. When Elmore County Sheriffs deputy left the home of Michael Holton at 4:48 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2016, it seemed as if a family crisis was subsiding. But as he was ambidextrous, it didnt rule out the possibility in its entirety. Michael Holton called the sheriffs office, and a deputy came over to the home at the dads request. I hope you have fun playing your music for our lord because I know he will enjoy hearing it. According to Dateline, the couple seemed on the same page about their teenage son. However, Madison Holton was going through teenage rebellion, and his parents were separating. that's what happened in eclectic, alabama, after the killing of april and michael holton. Its not possible.. There was evidence of drug use recovered at the home, he said. A double-shooting Sunday in Elmore County left a former mayor and his wife dead and their son charged with murder. But Franklin contended early in the investigation that Madison Holton had a self-proclaimed issue with becoming agitated if he had not used marijuana and Adderall. And its Season 4 episode, Two Families, chronicling the brutal murder of husband and wife April and Mike Holton, examines the same concept. But the teen believes Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin will still try to put him in jail. At one point in the evening, a DJs speaker fell over, making a sound similar to a gunshot, Thornton said. Anna Wintour arrives arm-in-arm with rumored beau Bill Nighy at 2023 Met Gala. He will truly be missed!, Mike you were a very close friend and I will miss you a lot, wrote a friend. A deputy with the Elmore County Sheriff's Office came over to see what was wrong and noticed that Jesse had been handcuffed behind his back by his father as a . Also in August,Tallapoosa Publishers obtained the toxicology report on Michael Holtons body that indicated three opioid or opioid-like substances, including hydrocodone and oxycodone, were found in his system at the time of his death. Defendants in the Dadeville shooting are brought into court on April 25, 2023. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Eclectic is 1 in 87 and property crime is 1 in 31. The new expanded the list of crimes for which a defendant could be held without bail. Madison got diagnosed with ADHD but, being hard-headed and stubborn, he refused to take the medicines for it, claiming that it made him feel unwell. His hands were in the handcuffs when authorities returned. I'd be mad at the world. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. US tech billionaire's son Matt Baszucki found the low-carb/high Could a hormone spray reignite your love life? Jeffrey Cofer, 59, of Eclectic, was charged with attempted murder. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, And soon, Michael became a firefighter, and the newlyweds started a family together, welcoming three children into their lives. Twitter/mugshot The man charged in Blanchards kidnapping and murder, Ibraheem Yazeed, had been released from jail on a $280,000 bond after being charged with kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder from a January 2019 incident in Montgomery. Eclectic, Alabama - Police Station and Crime Statistics. Jeanette Darden, an aunt to at least four of the suspects including the McCullough brothers, said she believes her nephews are being railroaded. Jesse 'Madison' Holton was accused of murdering his parents, Mike and April Holton, in Alabama, but charges were dismissed. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! When do we want it? City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. Hot List: 15 great bars and restaurants to visit in Dallas-Fort Worth I guess Ive grieved my parents deaths. I just want to havea life again., Jesse Madison Holton talks after his charges are dropped. 4,990. 'The bullet went through one of her fingers and then into her head. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. This young man amazes me. She thrived in the close-knit community, where everyone knew everyone else. Michael, with a gunshot wound to the back of his head, was pronounced dead at the scene, whereas April, who was breathing at the time, was taken to the hospital, but unfortunately, she passed away a day later as well, from severe head trauma. 'With the angles of the wounds and the entry and exit points of the wounds, there is just no way Mike Holton could have shot himself,' Franklin said at the time. Holton's two younger siblings were placed into the care of relatives. On September 11, 2016, Madison, living with his father, threw a party at his home that involved alcohol as well as drugs. Holton will be arraigned in Elmore County on April 26, 2018. Under Alabama law, the crime of reckless murder is committed when a person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to a person other than himself or herself and causes the death of another person. Jesse Madison Holton spent one year and three months in the Elmore County Jail, missing his parents funeral and his senior year at Elmore County High School, before being released on bond in December of 2017. 'Nightmare' over: With murder charges dropped, Madison Holton talks They didnt find any of his DNA in the bedroom. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). watchin the Expendables, reads one tweet. The sheriff and his investigators thought suicide was improbable and the pathologist classified the death a homicide, Dateline says. This information that was collected and published on this site is from the participation of over 17,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States. Many people have told him he needs to sue the sheriff and district attorney offices for false arrest. The murder charges were ultimately dismissed, although the state can later decide to refile the charges in the future if more evidence develops. Crime in Eclectic, Alabama (AL): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map All Cities Alabama, Alabama smaller cities, Alabama small towns Eclectic main page US Crime Crime rate in Eclectic, Alabama (AL) Fox News Flash top headlines for April 19 are here. A neighbor reported the parents had been shot in the head, WSFA-TV reported. pic.twitter.com/DlsuZncaz3, Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) April 18, 2019, District Attorney Randall Houston said in a 2018 news conference, Ive never been confronted with a situation like this where my prosecutor did not believe it was ethical to go ahead with the charges. I grew up a lot while incarcerated. Authorities remained convinced that Madison had been the one to pull the trigger, but just as the trial was set to begin the district attorney announced that they did not have enough proof beyond a reasonable doubt to pursue the case. The charges were dropped against Holton, now 19, in October. Son charged with murder in Eclectic shooting She's got a right Lotte cheek with tantrums, feisty remarks and bossing her brothers about. I deeply pray for them and my heart goes out to them. He like freaked out and then he called her and was like going off on her about it, he told Dateline. It was like, I need you. April, who was near death on the bedroom floor, was put on life-support in the hospital where she died the following night. 1,243. WSFA-TV reports that Mike Holton had handcuffed his son. He was a Little League Coach for football and baseball, a loving father and husband and a dear friend to all who knew him., One local family wrote on his funeral remembrance page, Mike was loved by all who met him. "The case is over," Azar said, Monday. More: Murder charges dropped against Eclectic teen accused in parents' deaths. Investigation Discoverys American Monster utilizes one-on-one interviews and archival personal home videos to showcase how, sometimes, the most terrifying criminals hide in plain sight. Arrest made in murder case of Eclectic man - WSFA She was a full-time mom and could often be seen in the dugout section as a team mom., A friend wrote on her funeral remembrance page, April was a beautiful person & I am blessed to have spent the short time with her that I did. Another wrote, referring to April Holtons maiden name, To the Owenby family I am so sorry for your loss of a wonderful soul and a wonderful person who always had a smile on her beautiful face. April Holton, 37, died a day later from severe head trauma. And then there was something else. There were times that I felt so helpless. Holton was charged with his parents' deaths but in October the district attorney dropped the charges. Holton told deputies he was trying to discipline his son. This weekend is the first weekend he will spend as a free man in two years. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. After a search during which deputies took photos and confiscated drug paraphernalia, officers informed Michael Holton he could go to the juvenile probation office the next morning to sign a petition against his son, Franklin said. It was just an extremely hard thing to do with everything else that was going on. ECLECTIC, Ala. -- A central Alabama teenager was jailed on a murder charge after an apparent dispute over a house party and drugs led to the shooting deaths of . There was an active divorce filing. Freedom is priceless, he said. Then a follow-up grand jury dropped the murder indictment in the death of Mike Holton and returned indictments for murder in the deaths of both parents. The deputy wounded in the shooting was life-flighted to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery. 'Blood everywhere': Alabama birthday party had 89 shots fired, guns or redistributed. Crime in Alabama - Alabama Crime Map | SpotCrime Low near 45F. But he really is a a sweet, sweet kid.". Eclectic Murders Episode aired Aug 29, 2008 TV-14 52m IMDb RATING 8.0 /10 7 YOUR RATING Rate Crime Drama A killer on the rampage hides within a group of Goth youths. Mike Holton had a long legacy of public service. There were remnants of a teenage party. Eleven minutes later, after the deputy left, there was a 911 call. Jeffrey Cofer, 59, of Eclectic, was charged with attempted murder. An old Twitter page in Jesse Madison Holtons name dates to 2012. That evening, Michael called 911 claiming that his son, Jesse Madison Holton, then 17, threw a party with drugs involved and trashed his Eclectic, Alabama, home while he was at work. Just 11 minutes later, Holton appeared at his neighbor's house and said his parents were fighting. Jesse Madison Holton, then 17, was charged with murdering his parents Mike and April Holton at their home in Eclectic, Alabama in September 2016. When the police arrived at the scene a few moments later, they found both April and Michael lying on the floor of a bedroom, with a gun in between them. Cofer shot eight rounds, Franklin said. However, Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said days after the crime, that Michael Holton did not have a self-inflicted gunshot wound., It is apparent that he was shot close contact, but in the back of his head not self inflicted, Franklin said at the time. According to Franklin, the suspect has a mental health issue. Holton indicated he would do so. District Attorney Randall Houston, of the 19th Judicial Circuit, confirmed Monday that Jesse Madison Holton, of Eclectic has been indicted by an Elmore County Grand Jury for the Sept. 11, 2016 murder of his parents, April Owenby Holton and Mike Holton. 'Therefore, we are ethically obligated to dismiss the murder charges against Jesse Holton.'. 1 Bestselling Single In America . Mr. Otherwise I just visited with my family.. Those were a 9 millimeter, 22 caliber, 40 caliber and 45 caliber. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. Madison told Dateline: Secrets Uncovered he had asked for a polygraph test like three or four times to prove his innocence a request that was also captured on interrogation video but he was never given one. Its hard to explain, Madison Holton said to the newspaper. He had just turned 17 when his parents. . He was a high school senior at the time. The dad was upset the house was trashed, the sheriff told Elmore & Autauga News. Mike restrained Holton in handcuffs and called the sheriff's department. Eclectic, AL Edwardsville, AL Elba, AL Elberta, AL Eldridge, AL Elkmont, AL Elmore, AL Emelle, AL Empire, AL Enterprise, AL Epes, AL . Michael Holton, the former mayor of the town, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head. Mike Holton, a former mayor of Eclectic, died Sunday at the scene, the family's home in the 2000 block of Lindsey Road, Franklin said. They had pretty much reached their wits end, Franklin said. Discuss Eclectic, Alabama (AL) on our hugely popular Alabama forum. According to reports, Mike was shot at point-blank range to the left side of the back of his head, and the bullet whizzed straight through him to exit from the front. Madison Holton was arrested the day after the shootings. 'Whenever things started to fall down, it just got worse and worse,' he said. As a child to young and successful parents, who were enthusiastic and supportive about everything that he did, Madison grew up happy and content, getting everything that he ever asked for. The killings rocked the tiny town and many believe Holton is to blame. The teen is often simply called Madison Holton (his dads first name was technically Jesse too). Jesse Madison Holton says he lived an unimaginable nightmare; police suspected him of murdering both of his parents, April Holton and Mike Holton, former mayor of Eclectic, Alabama. 'When we cannot find the truth, it is impossible to do justice.'. And if you here curious about where he is now, then youve come to the right place. According to Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin, the sheriff's department responded to a home along Highway 63 around 5 p.m.. So there was no way April could have shot herself either. Im not mad at the police. The records have been sealed as he was granted youthful offender status. He was merely trying to see what he could do to get his attention.. 'We are dealing with young man with a history of emotional trouble,' Franklin said at the time. There was an error processing your request. Michael Holton said party-goers had trashed the house and deputies later found drug paraphernalia and evidence of drug activity. We went to the bonding company office and they had Netflix. Browse crime in Alabama by city, county, schools, and surrounding areas that display crime maps showing crime incident data down to neighborhood crime activity including, reports, trends, and alerts. Living in Eclectic, AL is a truly unique experience. Town Watch [Uncut] Eclectic, AL - Facebook The 17-year-old's story just didn't add up.'. Plus, there is also the fact that Mike was already angry at April as he didnt want their marriage to end and that he had a drug problem, with narcotics already in his system that night. ECLECTIC, Ala. (WSFA) - An Elmore County man has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree rape, according to the Eclectic Police Department. The Met Gala begins! An Aniahs Law hearing was held this morning and the judge said he would decide within 24 to 48 hours whether the suspects will be held without bail until trial. Mikes diaries also indicated a man who felt like he couldnt go on without his marriage. Now, Holton will tell his story at 10/9C on NBCs Dateline on the evening of April 19, 2019. April Diane Owenby Holton, born December 24, 1978, and Jesse Michael Holton, born June 3, 1979, met when they were both seniors in high school. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 'He's been dead for 130 years and can still satisfy the ladies': Social media goes wild over mystery woman Cancelled? Aniahs Law passed in 2022 in response to a crime that attracted statewide attention. 'He's going to think wrong for the rest of his life.'. We had Jesse engaging in unusual behavior. At about 4 p.m. on the day of the shooting, Franklin said his department received a call from Michael Holton who, along with Owenby, was upset because Madison had thrown a party the previous night at their house. Most of the suspects said he fired first, Thornton said. One the juvenile suspects, it was not clear which, had an ankle monitor from an unrelated shooting in Tuskegee and its GPS tracker showed he was in Dadeville. Mike and Aprils marriage had ruptured, and they were not living in the same home at the time of their deaths, according to the Elmore & Autauga News. Holton continued to maintain his innocence asMankiewicz asked if he shot either of his parents. Madison told authorities that after the deputy left, his parents went into a bedroom to talk and began to argue. The trajectory of the wounds is what made authorities turn away from murder-suicide as a possibility initially, according to Dateline. April, who also suffered a head wound, died in the hospital the following day. However, investigators doubted his story and said the physical evidence at the scene didn't match up to Holton's recollection of what happened. I will never forget you brother. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Eclectic is 101 to 1. The first grand jury in the case only indicted Holton in the murder of his father, but a second grand jury had indicted him in both deaths. He gladly traveled to New York after 9-11 and helped many families. Some parts 2023 Advameg, Inc. Crime rate in Eclectic, Alabama (AL): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map. I just thank God that he kept my head on straight through the whole thing. They got into a physical fight and Madison fled the house to get help from a nearby neighbor, who called 911. The first call was in response to a call from Michael Holton and approximately a half-hour later to a call from Madison Holton. And because Jesses behavior in the weeks that followed seemed strange, almost emotionless, the officers charged him with his parents murder. Then he plans on going to another community college to get his GPA up before going to a four-year college and likely pursuing a history degree before going to law school. And then everything that happened over the next couple of weeks was just crazy. They were not invited but knew of the party and met up there from Auburn and Tuskegee. Clear skies. Explore crime rates for Eclectic, AL including murder, assault, and property crime statistics. A deputy with the Elmore County Sheriffs Office came over to see what was wrong and noticed that Jesse had been handcuffed behind his back by his father as a form of punishment. Madison has since completed his high school education and moved out of the Elmore Country to start his life afresh. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Eclectic Man Faces Multiple Charges, including Attempted Murder, after (Imela Garca . #Dateline all new Friday at 10/9c on @NBC. Jesse Madison Holton. They turned their attention to the only other person who had been in the house that afternoon, the couples son Madison. 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