Zanesville & Columbus man charged in June shooting deaths
by Z. Daniel Barnett - Published: January 4, 2013
Two additional suspects have been charged in connection with last June's double homicide in Guernsey County.
According to Sheriff Mike McCauley, 30-year-old James L. Whatley, Jr. of Columbus and 21-year-old Deondre Crosby of Zanesville have been arrested and charged in the shooting deaths of Christopher Morrison and Justain Nelson, who were found dead outside of a Coventry Estates apartment on June 24, 2012. Both Whatley and Crosby face two counts of aggravated murder, and one count each of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. All charges carry with them gun specifications.
Whatley was taken into custody without incident by the Columbus Police Department SWAT team on Thursday evening. Crosby had been in custody in Pickaway County on unrelated charges.
Four other suspects have been convicted in connection with the slayings: 23-year-old Maigen Blanchard of Cambridge, as well as 20-year-old Elgin Mitchell, 20-year-old Anjomo Churchill, and 23-year-old Tyler Burrell, all of Zanesville.
Whatley will be extradited to Guernsey County as soon as possible. Both Whatley and Crosby will appear for arraignment in the near future.
Photo: James L. Whatley, Jr. (top) and Deondre Crosby (bottom) are the fifth and sixth suspects charged in last June's double homicide near Cambridge.
