TN - Athina Hopson (Huff), 25, Johnson City, + Elizabeth Vanmeter, Joycelyn Alsup, 2019, murdered, SK James Michael Wright - guilty*

[nyonge]

Daily Mail
Traveling carnival worker, 23, is unmasked as a serial killer as he confesses to killing two women in Tennessee and a 17-year-old girl in Georgia

 

[squareandrabbet]

I was just coming here to post this... can anyone think of any other mystery deaths to which this might apply? Of course it's terrible either way, but it's particularly scuzzy to kill a coworker's relation, seems to me... and yeah, he managed to shoot three different women "accidentally" in 3 different ways??? Sit down and GMAFB, dude.

 

[LietKynes]

Yes, well, I too agree there may be more victims !
Sounds so cold and so chilling.
Like he was referring to accidentally killing a mosquito.
And if it was accidental-- why bury the first two ?

 

[YESorNO]

(Victim 1: Wright reportedly admitted to shooting and killing Elizabeth Vanmeter, 22, of Tennessee, during an argument on February 28)

(Victim 2: On March 9, Wright said told the cops he shot dead Jocelyn Alsup, 17, after the two had sex in the woods. He claimed he tried to shoot an animal but inadvertently fired on Alsup)

(Victim 3: On March 17, Wright said he shot 25-year-old Athina Hopson, of Johnson City, Tennessee, in the head after tripping and falling)

 

[Mountain Mama]

There are too many unsolved murders of women in Virginia. Lets hope DNA helps give some more families answers. Thank God he tripped up and got caught. I wonder if there is a schedule of where the carnival took him, and if girl's disappeared during the carnival days.

 

[Shin Masamura]

James Michael Wright: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
James Michael Wright: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

 

[nyonge]

Show of hands: how many think this guy's serial killing career started before he killed these three?

 

[wes1006]

The carnival attraction company where Wright supposedly worked is local to me in Augusta, GA. Here is an article from the local news where the owner is denying he had employment there:

Augusta Company says it never employed alleged Virginia serial killer

Looks like he may had been employed as a contractor for a pony ride attraction. I've seen several local facebook posts commenting on this story saying they remember seeing him working the pony ride attraction for the Columbia County Fair for at least the past three years. One commenter posted a photo of him from the fair.

I'm not sure what would be the best way to correlate other potential victims that could be from this area as it seems like his MO was to lure victims back to VA. Maybe dig into missing person reports shortly after the fair was in town? Any other ideas?

 

[YESorNO]

Mendota man's former employer has no idea what led to killings

May 15, 2019

"The owner of a traveling pony show who previously employed a Mendota, Virginia, man charged in the shooting death of three women said Wednesday he had no idea what might have led to the killings.

Josh Ellis, a Blountville, Tennessee, man who owns Pony Express, said James Michael Wright, 23, no longer works for him....

“He has not worked for me in nine months,” Ellis told the Bristol Herald Courier during a telephone interview on Wednesday.

Wright has since gone on to work on a trash truck and a local building supplies company, Ellis said.

Investigators have been in touch with companies that Wright has been associated with, according to Washington County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jamie Blevins. Authorities are trying to determine if there are any additional victims, he added..."

Mendota man's former employer has no idea what led to killings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mother of Georgia teen killed by carnival worker found 'creepy' texts between the two

May 16, 2019

"...Cynthia Butterworth claims that she met accused killer James Michael Wright, 23, last year at the North Georgia State Fair in Cobb County when he offered her daughter, 17-year-old Joslyn Alsup, free horse rides, she told WXIA in an interview.

Butterworth said after that encounter, she discovered “creepy” messages on social media between the pair in which Wright told the teen, “I will marry you.”..."

Mother of Georgia teen killed by carnival worker found 'creepy' texts between the two

 

[YESorNO]

A victim's sister speaks out: "The carnival came to town and my sister got murdered" (with clip)

May 14th 2019

"Elizabeth VanMeter's sister, Jennifer is opening up after 23-year old James Wright is charged with killing three women in 18 days in the quiet town of Mendota, Vigrinia....

“She was a great person to be around. Big personality, big smile, always loved joking around,” says Marie's sister Jennifer Simons. ...

“You go from almost relieved because you know what has happened, to angry. How could someone do this to your loved one? To devastated. You can’t believe their gone. It’s a nightmare. This is the hardest thing anyone will ever have to face,” says Simons.

Marie was adopted by the VanMeter family when she was 6-years old.

She was diagnosed with a mental disability and needed extra care but was always happy.

“She was loving. She didn’t know a stranger. She was very trusting,” says Simons...."

A victim's sister speaks out: "The carnival came to town and my sister got murdered"

 

[SpanishMossAntiques]

From the above article: "Investigators currently have no reason to believe that there are additional victims, the sheriff said, but authorities continue to investigate with assistance from the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service."

I wonder why they even believe no additional victims before they have even checked to see.

MOO, here is another young criminal who does not fear the death penalty because it is not enforced and because we are constantly fed that it's "inhumane or costs more than life in prison," and he's tired of working and wants to be housed, fed and clothed (includes recreation) for the rest of his life. JMO. Such a smug look on his face.

I would bet anything these three murders are not his first rodeo. MOO

It's been shown tie and time again that the death penalty is not in the least bit a deterrent to those who murder - it would be foolish to even begin to believe otherwise. Personally, I think a contributing factor in this regard is that the time between the crime, sentencing, and the execution is incredibly long; I mean, 20 years? Really? By that time the punitive factor is simply lost...

 

[squareandrabbet]

It's been shown tie and time again that the death penalty is not in the least bit a deterrent to those who murder - it would be foolish to even begin to believe otherwise. Personally, I think a contributing factor in this regard is that the time between the crime, sentencing, and the execution is incredibly long; I mean, 20 years? Really? By that time the punitive factor is simply lost...

Seems like kind of a double-edged sword, as almost assuredly the same lawmakers and citizens who are anti-death penalty, are those who have landed us in this position, which is exactly what they want...? Not to derail into the political, but it's surely not pro-death penalty advocates who have petitioned for a system that allows for multiple appeals. Good for the innocent; bad for the guilty...

Also, sweet Jesus, pony ride attendant...?! That chills my blood. It's a small mercy this villain's tastes didn't run to 7-year-olds. Most assuredly he's a predator and bully preying on the weak.

 

[TatianaBarbie]

The carnival attraction company where Wright supposedly worked is local to me in Augusta, GA. Here is an article from the local news where the owner is denying he had employment there:

Augusta Company says it never employed alleged Virginia serial killer

Looks like he may had been employed as a contractor for a pony ride attraction. I've seen several local facebook posts commenting on this story saying they remember seeing him working the pony ride attraction for the Columbia County Fair for at least the past three years. One commenter posted a photo of him from the fair.

I'm not sure what would be the best way to correlate other potential victims that could be from this area as it seems like his MO was to lure victims back to VA. Maybe dig into missing person reports shortly after the fair was in town? Any other ideas?

If I were LE, I would look for missing person reports from everywhere this man has worked/lived/visited!

 

[YESorNO]

Law enforcement searching Mendota area for evidence in murder cases

May 29, 2019

"MENDOTA, Va. -- More than 70 law enforcement officers are in Mendota today searching for evidence in the shooting deaths of three women.

Capt. Jamie Blevins with the Washington County Virginia Sheriff's Office said officers are searching Mendota for any evidence in the deaths of three women that police believe were murdered by James Michael Wright over an 18-day period from February to March....."

Law enforcement searching Mendota area for evidence in murder cases

 

[Dre]

James Michael Wright: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com
He “accidentally” shot three women dead in less than one month. GMAFB!!!

 

[YESorNO]

Hearing reset for Mendota man charged with triple murder

Jun 12, 2019

"ABINGDON, Va. — A court hearing for a Mendota man charged with three counts of capital murder has been reset for one week, according to Washington County Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Cumbow.

James Michael Wright, 23, was scheduled to appear in a Washington County courtroom on Tuesday with his attorneys, including members of the capital defender’s office in Roanoke. The office represents indigent individuals, such as Wright, in Virginia capital cases. Cumbow said not all of Wright’s attorneys were able to be present Tuesday, so the case was rescheduled to June 18...."

Hearing reset for Mendota man charged with triple murder

 

[YESorNO]

Mendota man accused of triple murder gets new attorney

June 19, 2019

"A Radford, Virginia, attorney has been chosen to represent James Michael Wright, the Mendota man facing three counts of capital murder.

Wright, 23, is also charged with three counts each of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and concealing a body in the deaths of Elizabeth Marie Vanmeter, 22, of Elizabethton, Tennessee; Joslyn M. Alsup, 17, Georgia; and Athina Hopson, 25, of Johnson City, Tennessee.

“I am now representing him,” said James C. Turk Jr., Wright’s new attorney. “A court order appointing me was entered a few days ago.”

Turk confirmed Wednesday that he was appointed to substitute for Barry Proctor, a longtime Abingdon attorney who died last week. Proctor, certified to handle capital cases in Virginia, was previously chosen as Wright's court-appointed attorney.

Turk said he was selected to represent Wright by the circuit court judges.

A court hearing in Washington County has been reset twice in the last two weeks. No hearing was held Tuesday, according to Washington County Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Cumbow.

The court clerk scheduled a preliminary hearing date for Dec. 13 at 9 a.m....

Wright remains held without bail at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon."

Mendota man accused of triple murder gets new attorney

 

[YaYa_521]

Still no sign of third body in Mendota murder case

Jan 1, 2020

ABINGDON, Va. — Nine months have passed since a young Johnson City, Tennessee, woman is believed to have been fatally shot in rural Southwest Virginia, although officials continue to search for her body.

Athina Hopson, 25, is believed to have been shot and killed March 17,...

Snip

Sheriff Fred Newman, who retires at the end of the year, said his detectives have been trying to locate Hopson’s body all year but to no avail.

Snip

“The Mendota case is going to be a pretty high-profile case,” said Newman, noting that the court case and search will likely continue into 2020.

Sheriff-elect Blake Andis, who begins his job on Jan. 1, said the Wright case will remain a priority.

#

A victim's husband says the death penalty isn't enough for the man who murdered his wife

Elizabethton — The husband of one of the victim's of an accused serial killer speaks out about enduring suspicion.

Matthew Huff married 25-year old Athina Hopson last June in Johnson City.

She went missing nine months later and community members were suspicious Huff killed her

Snip

"In the course of mine and Athina's relationship, I've been married, separated, almost divorced, forgiven, accused of killing her, accused of kidnapping her and now I'm widowed. I can't begin to understand what life is going to be like without her. I can't. He didn't just kill her, he killed half of my own self," says Huff.
#

Poor guy.

 

[TatianaBarbie]

Still no sign of third body in Mendota murder case

Jan 1, 2020

ABINGDON, Va. — Nine months have passed since a young Johnson City, Tennessee, woman is believed to have been fatally shot in rural Southwest Virginia, although officials continue to search for her body.

Athina Hopson, 25, is believed to have been shot and killed March 17,...

Snip

Sheriff Fred Newman, who retires at the end of the year, said his detectives have been trying to locate Hopson’s body all year but to no avail.

Snip

“The Mendota case is going to be a pretty high-profile case,” said Newman, noting that the court case and search will likely continue into 2020.

Sheriff-elect Blake Andis, who begins his job on Jan. 1, said the Wright case will remain a priority.

#

A victim's husband says the death penalty isn't enough for the man who murdered his wife

Elizabethton — The husband of one of the victim's of an accused serial killer speaks out about enduring suspicion.

Matthew Huff married 25-year old Athina Hopson last June in Johnson City.

She went missing nine months later and community members were suspicious Huff killed her

Snip

"In the course of mine and Athina's relationship, I've been married, separated, almost divorced, forgiven, accused of killing her, accused of kidnapping her and now I'm widowed. I can't begin to understand what life is going to be like without her. I can't. He didn't just kill her, he killed half of my own self," says Huff.
#

Poor guy.

Athina's husband and her family have all been suffering from Athina's murder. It is extremely sad.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 9, 2020
Washington County, Virginia Sheriff Blake Andis addresses community concerns in Mendota
Concerned citizens packed Mendota's community center for a town hall meeting with Sheriff Blake Andis on Monday evening.

Residents are still reeling nearly one year after a triple murder case in their town. Now, ties to the Evelyn Boswell investigation is growing some concern among the community.

[...]

While searching for the missing baby then, Andis told News 5 crews also looked for evidence linked to the case of James Michael Wright. Authorities said he admitted to killing three women and dumping their bodies. All but one were found.

[...]

According to Commonwealth's Attorney Josh Cumbow, Wright is awaiting a preliminary hearing for the three murder charges. It is scheduled for April 30 at 11 a.m. Wright remains jailed in Abingdon.