NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Case Of Killing Spree Suspect Bound To Grand Jury

Case Of Killing Spree Suspect Bound To Grand Jury

By Lisa Chavarria

FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. - A Lincoln County man accused in the murders of six people across Tennessee and Alabama came face to face with a judge Thursday. The judge sent the case to a grand jury. 

Jacob Shaffer quietly entered the courtroom as he appeared in person for the first time. He was shackled and wore a bulletproof vest. He kept his head down through most of the testimony. 

The first responder to the scene, Lincoln County Sheriff's sergeant Bob Jones, took the stand. He talked about pulling up to the scene in July of 2009 to find Shaffer and his 4-year-old daughter sitting on the front steps. 

When Jones got out of the car, Shaffer stood up and put his hands behind his back. According to Jones, Shaffer then said "You need to handcuff me." 

Sitting in the back of the patrol car, the sergeant said details began to come out of Shaffer's own mouth.
Victims' Identities Released in Murder Case 

"He said, ‘it's bad.’ I asked him, ‘what's bad? Inside the residence?’ He just shook his head yes and stated, ‘they're all dead,’” said Jones. 

Sergeant Jones said a woman came to pick up Shaffer's daughter, and then Jones went inside the home and found two bodies. When he went back to check on the handcuffed Shaffer -another admission came out.

"After he said ‘they're all dead,’ he said ‘she was cheating on me,’” said Jones. 

All together, the sergeant testified Shaffer admitted there were six victims in all. Five within two homes in Lincoln County. Prosecutors said he killed his estranged wife Tracie, then killed Tracie's teenage son, her father, her brother and her son's teenage friend. 

There was also another acquaintance in Huntsville, Ala that Shaffer is accused of beating to death. 

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found two knives and two stun guns in the homes of the victims in Tennessee. 

TBI special agent Wayne Wesson first questioned Shaffer at the hospital. He wanted to make sure there were no other victims. 

In September 2009, the state asked for a mental evaluation for Shaffer. They said it would help speed up the process of getting the case to trail. 

The Lincoln County grand jury is expected to meet next month. If convicted, Shaffer could face the death penalty. 

email: lchavarria@newschannel5.com