Michael Carruth Interrogation

#MichaelCarruth #JimmyBrooks

Michael David Carruth, 43, and Jimmy Lee Brooks Jr., 22, are charged with capital murder in the killing of Mr. Bowyer's son, Brett.

The men also face charges of attempted murder, robbery and kidnapping, officials said. In addition, they will be charged in the killing of Thurman Ratliff, 68, and his wife, Katherine Ratliff, 62, at their home on Jan. 30, said Sheriff Jay Jones of Lee County.

Mr. Brooks and Mr. Carruth, who works as a bounty hunter for his wife's bonding company, showed up at Mr. Bowyer's home late Sunday night claiming to be narcotics officers, Sheriff Tommy Boswell of Russell County said. They forced Mr. Bowyer and his son into a car, Sheriff Boswell said, and drove about 20 miles south of town. After Mr. Bowyer gave them money, the men slit his throat from ear to ear and shoved him into a grave they had dug about 18 inches deep, the sheriff said.

The cut was not deep enough to sever any major blood vessels, so Mr. Bowyer played dead, Sheriff Boswell said.

Mr. Bowyer heard shots, and his son's body was pushed into the hole on top of him. The killers covered the grave with dirt, the sheriff said, and Mr. Bowyer began digging out as soon as they left.

He unearthed his son's body and then walked about a quarter-mile through woods to a highway, where he flagged down a car.

''He called us on a cellphone,'' Sheriff Boswell said.

Mr. Bowyer gave officers a description of the men's car, which the sheriff said was stopped with Mr. Carruth at the wheel early Monday. Mr. Brooks was captured later Monday in neighboring Lee County.
https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/21/us/his-throat-slashed-man-escapes-grave-to-pursue-killers.html