BREAKING NEWS Published: 7/7/2022 - ARK

THE TENNESSEE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HAS MOVED FORWARD WITH THE RE-OPENED INVESTIGATION OF THE DEATHS OF THREE YOUNG MEN WHO DIED IN GILES COUNTY IN 1991, AND HAS NOW BEGUN THE PROCESS OF EXHUMING THE BODIES OF   “STEVIE” RESSELL BASS (WHO WAS AGE 15), PATRICK FLETCHER (16) AND 20-YEAR-OLD DENNIS MARTINDALE. ON WEDNESDAY, CREWS FIRST EXHUMED THE BODY OF STEVIE BASS FROM OLD UNION HILL CEMETERY IN ELKTON AND THEN FLETCHER’S REMAINS FROM MAPLEWOOD CEMETERY IN PULASKI. THE BODY OF DENNIS MARTINDALE IS BURIED IN ALABAMA AND COOPER IS WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IN ALABAMA TO MOVE THE DISINTERMENT FORWARD IN THE COMING WEEKS. AFTER A REQUEST FOR A DEATH CERTIFICATE PUT THE CASE ON THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS RADAR, A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CASE BROUGHT TO LIGHT INCONSISTENCIES IN THE CASE THAT WARRANTED FURTHER INSPECTION. THE THREE YOUNG MEN WERE FOUND DEAD IN THE RICHLAND CREEK IN THE SUMMER OF 1991. THEY WERE FULLY DRESSED DOWN TO SHOES AND JEWELRY, BUT THE MEDICAL INVESTIGATOR AT THE TIME RULED THE CASES ACCIDENTAL DROWNINGS. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER, CHARLES HARLAN, (NOW DECEASED), LATER LOST HIS LICENSE DUE TO MALPRACTICE FOR PROBLEMS INCLUDING BOTCHED AUTOPSIES. DISTRICT ATTORNEY COOPER INDICATED HARLAN HAD NOT EVEN PERFORMED X-RAYS - A STANDARD WHEN LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE OF FRACTURES OR TRAUMA. THOUGH IT’S A LONG SHOT, THE NEXT STEP WAS TO EXHUME THE BODIES AND REEXAMINE THEM FOR ANY EVIDENCE THAT MAY CONFIRM CAUSE OF DEATH. WKSR IS FOLLOWING THIS STORY.