Wednesday, April 4, 2001
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Wednesday, April 4, 2001 |
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Deputies 'wrap up' F'ville home invasion case By JOHN MUNFORD
Thaddious White and his two sons had just returned home from the batting cages when two armed gunmen forced them into their home and tied them up with duct tape. The Fayetteville resident still recalls the fear that raced through his mind as he was struck in the head with a gun. But after a jury's verdict last week, White can rest a little better knowing that one of those men won't get out of jail for a long, long time. Thale Antaneal Brownlee was sentenced to life in prison plus 85 years for burglary and kidnapping, all because of a plastic wrapper he left behind and diligent work from the Fayette County Sheriff's Department to analyze that piece of evidence. "It just affirms to me why we moved to this county," White said. "We can feel safe and see justice prevail." Although the Fayetteville Police Department performed the initial investigation, the Sheriff's Department got involved when White called a friend, Maj. Bruce Jordan, to clear news crews from his front yard. Jordan and White knew each other their sons played on the same little league baseball team. Any resident of a city in Fayette County can request the Sheriff's Department's assistance, Jordan said, adding that his involvement was not a personal favor to White. After getting the TV cameras out of the way, Jordan came in to say hello when White's wife, Lydia, pointed out the duct tape wrapper on the floor. He told them not to touch it and he took it into evidence. The wrapper was analyzed by the department's crime scene unit, which uncovered a major break in the case (see related story at left/right). The White children still have nightmares about the incident and they are in counseling to deal with the emotional scars it left behind. For White, it has caused him to be more alert to his surroundings. White said the conviction will bring some closure to the ordeal. He was also especially thankful for the Sheriff's Department's work on the case, particularly the efforts of Jordan. "These guys, you can tell they are a solid team," White said. "They are very professional. ... It makes me appreciate the county I live in."
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