GUILTY AL - J.B. Beasley & Tracie Hawlett, both 17, murdered, Ozark, 31 July 1999 *ARREST in 2019* #5

[YESorNO]

Hearing continued; McCraney says he’s ready for trial

Oct 7, 2019

"OZARK – Although a scheduled pre-trial hearing associated with the deaths of two Dothan teens in 1999 was continued here Monday, the man charged in the capital murder case said he’s ready to go to trial.

After prosecutors agreed to provide Coley McCraney’s defense team access to the evidence in the case, Dale County Circuit Judge William Filmore continued the hearing....

Although court documents show an anticipated trial date for February, Harrison believes McCraney’s jury trial may start in early spring...."

Hearing continued; McCraney says he’s ready for trial

 

[shark315]

Has anyone heard anything more about the documentary that was going to be released?

 

[Blacklist]

Has anyone heard anything more about the documentary that was going to be released?

There has not been much chatter on this. Personally I suspect nothing will come until after the current trial concludes. Just my thought.
Which documentary producer(s) were you referring to?

 

[somequestions]

If the man arrested and charged in the murders of J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett is convicted and sent to prison, I still think it is kind of sad that no one will ever know the story of what happened the night of July 31, 1999, after they left the Big Little gas station in Ozark, AL.

Even when you look at the address where McCraney was living at the time in 1999, (Lisenby Drive), it has always been thought J.B. Beasley knew the area well enough not to get lost in the southeast section of town. The only way it seems like she ends up driving around that area where McCraney lived is if she turns before even getting to 123.

And if it was further down Broad Street or all the way over by 231 where they ran into McCraney, then how did McCraney get all the way over in that area(for example by Walmart or McDonalds) before J.B. and Tracie? Did he walk over there? Are those stores even open after 11:30 pm.? So if McCraney used a vehicle to get to the area where he may have met the girls, once he leaves J.B. Beasley's Mazda 929 on Herring, doesn't he then have to walk all the way back to the Walmart, McDonalds area to retrieve his car before driving home? Did he just leave his own vehicle in the parking lot that night and decide to retrieve it the next day? And why take the victim's car potentially leaving behind evidence? I am simply using the Walmart, McDonalds area near 231 as an example since no one actually knows where the killer in this case ran into the girls. I think the question of where the girls ran into their killer is one of the most interesting in this case.

Once this case is concluded, maybe the answer to that question will come out then?

 

[Catmommy]

We all have scads of questions that we hope are answered. Whether they are or aren't remains to be seen. Justice for these victims remains first and foremost over my personal curiosity. May they find it with this trial.

 

[TedMac]

If the man arrested and charged in the murders of J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett is convicted and sent to prison, I still think it is kind of sad that no one will ever know the story of what happened the night of July 31, 1999, after they left the Big Little gas station in Ozark, AL.

Even when you look at the address where McCraney was living at the time in 1999, (Lisenby Drive), it has always been thought J.B. Beasley knew the area well enough not to get lost in the southeast section of town. The only way it seems like she ends up driving around that area where McCraney lived is if she turns before even getting to 123.

And if it was further down Broad Street or all the way over by 231 where they ran into McCraney, then how did McCraney get all the way over in that area(for example by Walmart or McDonalds) before J.B. and Tracie? Did he walk over there? Are those stores even open after 11:30 pm.? So if McCraney used a vehicle to get to the area where he may have met the girls, once he leaves J.B. Beasley's Mazda 929 on Herring, doesn't he then have to walk all the way back to the Walmart, McDonalds area to retrieve his car before driving home? Did he just leave his own vehicle in the parking lot that night and decide to retrieve it the next day? And why take the victim's car potentially leaving behind evidence? I am simply using the Walmart, McDonalds area near 231 as an example since no one actually knows where the killer in this case ran into the girls. I think the question of where the girls ran into their killer is one of the most interesting in this case.

Once this case is concluded, maybe the answer to that question will come out then?

BBM...The answer as to how the killer gained control of these two girls and perhaps even more importantly WHY they were killed is something I and most everyone else wants to know. WHY did the killer have to end to innocent lives and how did everything go down that night? Sadly, we probably will never know. Regardless if McCraney is convicted or not, only he or an accomplice (if one exists) can tell the story of what happened. If he is acquitted, we will never know. If he is convicted, he won't give any details as to what happened until all his appeals are exhausted. That will take years. Even then, if he decides to talk, he will probably just give his "version" of the story which will probably consist of half-truth and embellishments.

 

[somequestions]

BBM...The answer as to how the killer gained control of these two girls and perhaps even more importantly WHY they were killed is something I and most everyone else wants to know. WHY did the killer have to end to innocent lives and how did everything go down that night? Sadly, we probably will never know. Regardless if McCraney is convicted or not, only he or an accomplice (if one exists) can tell the story of what happened. If he is acquitted, we will never know. If he is convicted, he won't give any details as to what happened until all his appeals are exhausted. That will take years. Even then, if he decides to talk, he will probably just give his "version" of the story which will probably consist of half-truth and embellishments.

I know there will probably never be true answers to all the questions I have regarding this case.

There is an old saying you constantly hear when describing victims of crime: at the wrong place at the wrong time. This particular case is emblematic of that saying. People often look at the last part of that night in Ozark, AL, but it really started way back in Dothan, AL with trying to get to a party. After they stopped at the first gas station(B.P. in Headland, AL) and got clearer directions they continued on their path where they ended up at the Big Little gas station in Ozark, AL.

Understanding a map on a napkin or making a left or right turn differently along the way and this might have all turned out differently. This case always leaves me thinking about that saying. Either that or I have listened to that Dr. John song too many times.

 

[TedMac]

I know there will probably never be true answers to all the questions I have regarding this case.

There is an old saying you constantly hear when describing victims of crime: at the wrong place at the wrong time. This particular case is emblematic of that saying. People often look at the last part of that night in Ozark, AL, but it really started way back in Dothan, AL with trying to get to a party. After they stopped at the first gas station(B.P. in Headland, AL) and got clearer directions they continued on their path where they ended up at the Big Little gas station in Ozark, AL.

Understanding a map on a napkin or making a left or right turn differently along the way and this might have all turned out differently. This case always leaves me thinking about that saying. Either that or I have listened to that Dr. John song too many times.

I respectively believe it didn't start in Dothan, but actually started in Skipperville, where Tracie & J.B. attended another party (not the one they were originally trying to find). It was documented they were there and left after 11:00 pm to go to the Big/Little Store where Tracie called her mom. I believe J.B. was familiar with the Big/Little Store and knew they had a pay phone. They left the store to go meet the boys they had been unable to locate earlier in the evening. How and when they crossed paths with the killer or killers is the big mystery. He very well may have slipped into their car while J.B. was talking with Ms. Merritt and Tracie was on the phone. But, we may never know. Hopefully, when the prosecution presents its evidence in the trial, light will be shed on some of the unknowns we have been discussing here.

 

[somequestions]

I respectively believe it didn't start in Dothan, but actually started in Skipperville, where Tracie & J.B. attended another party (not the one they were originally trying to find). It was documented they were there and left after 11:00 pm to go to the Big/Little Store where Tracie called her mom. I believe J.B. was familiar with the Big/Little Store and knew they had a pay phone. They left the store to go meet the boys they had been unable to locate earlier in the evening. How and when they crossed paths with the killer or killers is the big mystery. He very well may have slipped into their car while J.B. was talking with Ms. Merritt and Tracie was on the phone. But, we may never know. Hopefully, when the prosecution presents its evidence in the trial, light will be shed on some of the unknowns we have been discussing here.

Like so many of my posts on this case probably illustrate, I am still confused as to whether J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett were in the right place. I have read some posts that say after Headland there intent then changed to going over to Midland City, AL to see two boys. Also I read posts about Skipperville party. Did J.B. Beasley get lost driving after the girls left the Big Little Store in Ozark, AL? That is another good question.

I think my point is that I am still confused about the locations associated with this case.

 

[TedMac]

Like so many of my posts on this case probably illustrate, I am still confused as to whether J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett were in the right place. I have read some posts that say after Headland there intent then changed to going over to Midland City, AL to see two boys. Also I read posts about Skipperville party. Did J.B. Beasley get lost driving after the girls left the Big Little Store in Ozark, AL? That is another good question.

I think my point is that I am still confused about the locations associated with this case.

BBM...MOO. but I believe they originally planned to meet with the two boys at the field party near Midland City. However, they couldn't find the party or the boys after an hour or so of driving around searching, so they went to the party in Skipperville. There were several parties in the area that night and evidently, J.B. was aware of the Skipperville party.

As to whether they got lost after leaving the Big/Little Store is unknown. But, as I stated in a previous post, I believe everything that happened to them (the abduction, rape and murder) all transpired either in or very near Ozark.

 

[Fulljustice5]

BBM...MOO. but I believe they originally planned to meet with the two boys at the field party near Midland City. However, they couldn't find the party or the boys after an hour or so of driving around searching, so they went to the party in Skipperville. There were several parties in the area that night and evidently, J.B. was aware of the Skipperville party.

As to whether they got lost after leaving the Big/Little Store is unknown. But, as I stated in a previous post, I believe everything that happened to them (the abduction, rape and murder) all transpired either in or very near Ozark.

 

[Fulljustice5]

My cousin stopped at a stop sign near Carroll high school which is walking distance to herring ave and also walking distance to a guys house that is notorious. While she was stopped, a male individual in a hoodie walked up and tried to open her car door. Anybody that tries to open your car door at 12am has intentions of hurting u. Thank God her doors we're locked and she sped off. This was 3yrs after the murders. Could be a coincidence but I think the murderer/murderers used this same method to get into the girl's car and showed them he had a gun. How crazy this happened to my cousin within a mile radius of the crime scene? The guys house is across from the big and little store. This guy hid in a lady's attack in Oakview manor and when she fell asleep, the guy tried to strangle her. He also drives an older early 90s late 80s white truck. When his car was impounded in may 2019, he went to retrieve items. The items were a large stick that could be used to bludgeon someone, zip ties, knife, and rope. Weird how these items were the most important things for him to get out of his car. He never got his car out and continues to drive his old white truck.

 

[Fulljustice5]

And what year did it come out that the girls stopped at the big and little store?

 

[Fulljustice5]

The only reason I talk about the strangler dude having a white truck is bc a man in a white truck was questioned and exonerated. How do we know that the man in the white truck the police interviewed is the same exact truck/owner that was seen at the big and little store?

 

[Fulljustice5]

Monday, October 7th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 9am ET) – AL – J.B. Hilton Green Beasley (17) & Tracie Jean Hawlett (17) (July 31, 1999, Ozark, found in trunk of car) - *Coley Lewis McCraney (45/25 @ time of crime) arrested & charged (3/16/19) & indicted (6/10/19) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of 1st degree murder while in the act of murdering two or more persons & 1 count of 1st degree rape (Beasley). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Parabon Nanolabs GEDMatch DNA
Trial set to begin 2/3/20
Court information from 4/3/19 thru 7/26/19 reference post #2 here:
AL - AL - J.B. Beasley, 17, & Tracie Hawlett, 17, Ozark, 31 July 1999 #5 *ARREST*
8/8/19 Update: Arraignment & Motions hearing: Plead not guilty. Dale County Judge William Filmore issued an order granting a discovery motion filed by defense attorneys within two weeks. They had asked the court to have prosecutors present them with all discovery in the case against McCraney. Next hearing on 10/7.
8/19/19 Update: Defense files motions to ask for evidence to be provided to the defense so it can be examined and tested again by appointed experts, satisfying the higher standards capital murder cases have to prove them. This includes independent testing of the DNA match between McCraney and the DNA evidence found on J.B.’s body and clothing. In addition to a new DNA test, the motions also ask that all clothing, weapons, fingerprints, documents, biological evidence, and other items be given to the defense. Also his Mazda 929 where the girls were found. Aside from testing the evidence, the defense also wants McCraney to get to see the crime scene.
9/5/19 Update: Defense attorneys made more motions for evidence in the Beasley-Hawlett case. This time, the defense is asking all documents, photos and items collected by Lanier Beasley, the father of J.B. Beasley, in his own investigation of the case.
9/9/19 Update: Defense attorneys filed another motion for more evidence to help prove their client’s innocence. The defense is looking into the 2006 suicide of Butch Jones, who reportedly worked as an undercover Ozark police officer at the time of J.B. & Tracie’s deaths. The motion asks for information on Jones’ autopsy and the ballistic report for the gun used in his death.
9/15/19 Update: Pretrial hearing scheduled for 9/16. 9/16/19: Attorneys David Harrison & Andrew Scarborough filed a motion requesting the court to issue an order that all law enforcement officer who are in any way connected with the investigation of their client’s cases turn over to the prosecutors all notes, evidence, and materials related to the investigation. Dale County Judge William Fillmore issued an order stating the motion would be addressed during an Oct. 7 hearing, among other motions under consideration. Trial has been set to start on 2/3/20.

 

[Fulljustice5]

David Jerome Harrison did 38 months in federal prison and got released in 98. Look him up on the federal Bureau of prisons website. He got his law license back when he got out. He was arrested 2 years ago on misdemeanor charge in Dothan. He does not care if mcCraney is guilty or not. All he cares about is the media and news coverage. He takes money from clients by promising them a bright outcome but after he gets the money, it turns out to be a different story. He sleeps with female clients. He represented Ronnie gilley and gilley said David Harrison screwed him. He's not a good lawyer. His reputation is not good in the law community

 

[Fulljustice5]

BBM...MOO. but I believe they originally planned to meet with the two boys at the field party near Midland City. However, they couldn't find the party or the boys after an hour or so of driving around searching, so they went to the party in Skipperville. There were several parties in the area that night and evidently, J.B. was aware of the Skipperville party.

As to whether they got lost after leaving the Big/Little Store is unknown. But, as I stated in a previous post, I believe everything that happened to them (the abduction, rape and murder) all transpired either in or very near Ozark.

 

[TedMac]

And what year did it come out that the girls stopped at the big and little store?

Almost immediately. Tracie's mom told this to investigators because she had talked to Tracie at approximately 11:30. It was verified by Ms Merritt whom had seen the girls at the store and talked with J.B.

 

[Fulljustice5]

There's no way they could of got lost at the big and little store bc broad Street is right beside the store and takes u all the way into Ozark that goes to 231. Good possibility they took the left coming out of the store which has dark roads that ultimately lead to Dale medical with a pit stop on herring before u go up the hill to Dale medical. More than likely when they left the store, someone approached their car when they were stopped, open the car door and pulled out a gun which led to the murderer gaining access and complete control over the girls while he was in the vehicle. He took them to a swampy/marsh location off a dirt road. One girl took off then finally the second girl who he immediately fired upon bc she was the last to take off, ultimately hitting her in the cheek. The first girl that ran off he chased after shooting the one girl, and shot her close range in the back of the head.

 

[TedMac]

The only reason I talk about the strangler dude having a white truck is bc a man in a white truck was questioned and exonerated. How do we know that the man in the white truck the police interviewed is the same exact truck/owner that was seen at the big and little store?

The truck was determined to belong to the railroad or a railroad contractor. From what I could gather, the driver admitted to being there that night. FWIW, it was several years after the murders that he was identified and cleared.