mojo
02-19-2002, 05:50 PM
http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20020219_1517.html
Ala. Man Escapes Being Buried Alive After Having Throat Slashed, Left for Dead With Slain Son
The Associated Press
PHENIX CITY, Ala. Feb. 19
A man whose throat was slashed and who was buried in a shallow grave with his slain 12-year-old son clawed his way out of the dirt and helped police find two men accused of killing the boy.
Forrest "Butch" Bowyer, 54, underwent surgery and was expected to recover, Sheriff Tommy Boswell said Tuesday.
The suspects, Michael David Carruth, 43, and Jimmy Lee Brooks Jr., 22, were charged with capital murder, attempted murder, robbery and kidnapping. They were being held without bail.
The sheriff said Brooks and Carruth, who works as a bounty hunter, showed up at Bowyer's home late Sunday claiming to be narcotics officers. They targeted Bowyer because he owns a used-car lot and has a reputation for carrying lots of cash, the sheriff said.
The men allegedly forced Bowyer and his son, Brett, into a car and drove about 20 miles outside town. After Bowyer gave them money, the men slit his throat and shoved him into a grave about 18 inches deep, Boswell said.
Minutes later, Bowyer heard gunshots, and his son's body was pushed on top of him. The killers covered the grave with dirt.
Bowyer began digging his way out as soon as they left. He was slashed "ear to ear," the sheriff said, but the cut wasn't deep enough to sever any major blood vessels.
"He played dead. He just knew he was dying or fixing to die," Boswell said. "He was in there about 10, 15 minutes," Boswell said.
The father unearthed his son's body and walked about one-fourth of a mile through woods, then flagged down a car.
"We got an ambulance there but he wouldn't leave until he showed us where the body was," Boswell said.
Officers found the boy's body atop the grave a few minutes after the ambulance left with Bowyer.
Bowyer gave officers a description of the men's automobile, which Boswell said was stopped with Carruth at the wheel early Monday. Bowyer recognized the other man from seeing him around town and told police his name, Boswell said. Brooks was captured later Monday.
Sheriff's officials said they did not have any record of the men having attorneys.
There was no answer Tuesday at a bail bonding company owned by Carruth's wife, where he works.
Ala. Man Escapes Being Buried Alive After Having Throat Slashed, Left for Dead With Slain Son
The Associated Press
PHENIX CITY, Ala. Feb. 19
A man whose throat was slashed and who was buried in a shallow grave with his slain 12-year-old son clawed his way out of the dirt and helped police find two men accused of killing the boy.
Forrest "Butch" Bowyer, 54, underwent surgery and was expected to recover, Sheriff Tommy Boswell said Tuesday.
The suspects, Michael David Carruth, 43, and Jimmy Lee Brooks Jr., 22, were charged with capital murder, attempted murder, robbery and kidnapping. They were being held without bail.
The sheriff said Brooks and Carruth, who works as a bounty hunter, showed up at Bowyer's home late Sunday claiming to be narcotics officers. They targeted Bowyer because he owns a used-car lot and has a reputation for carrying lots of cash, the sheriff said.
The men allegedly forced Bowyer and his son, Brett, into a car and drove about 20 miles outside town. After Bowyer gave them money, the men slit his throat and shoved him into a grave about 18 inches deep, Boswell said.
Minutes later, Bowyer heard gunshots, and his son's body was pushed on top of him. The killers covered the grave with dirt.
Bowyer began digging his way out as soon as they left. He was slashed "ear to ear," the sheriff said, but the cut wasn't deep enough to sever any major blood vessels.
"He played dead. He just knew he was dying or fixing to die," Boswell said. "He was in there about 10, 15 minutes," Boswell said.
The father unearthed his son's body and walked about one-fourth of a mile through woods, then flagged down a car.
"We got an ambulance there but he wouldn't leave until he showed us where the body was," Boswell said.
Officers found the boy's body atop the grave a few minutes after the ambulance left with Bowyer.
Bowyer gave officers a description of the men's automobile, which Boswell said was stopped with Carruth at the wheel early Monday. Bowyer recognized the other man from seeing him around town and told police his name, Boswell said. Brooks was captured later Monday.
Sheriff's officials said they did not have any record of the men having attorneys.
There was no answer Tuesday at a bail bonding company owned by Carruth's wife, where he works.