Zoneboy
05-31-2019, 07:21 AM
Link (https://newschannel9.com/news/local/frank-casteel-convicted-of-1988-signal-mountain-murders-dies-in-prison)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Online state records confirm that Frank Casteel, the man convicted in 1997 of killing three ATV riders on Signal Mountain, has died in prison. The Tennessee website for felony offender information lists Casteel as deceased. He was 71 years old.
Casteel was convicted in 1997 in the deaths of Richard Mason, Earl Smock and Kennith Griffith in July, 1988.
The men were last seen on their way to ride ATVs to one of Signal Mountain's favorite swimming spots, the Blue Hole. But they never returned home.
Police began an intensive search, and ultimately found their ATVs covered in blood nine miles from the entrance of the swimming hole, but no sign of their bodies. The bodies were found four days after officials recovered the ATVs, all with shotgun wounds.
It took nearly 10 years to connect the dots in the case, using several pieces of evidence and a sound recording of Frank Casteel.
Casteel's mistress, Marie Hill, also came forward to police about letters she had received during their relationship which was around the same time of the murder. The letters were sent to her anonymously. The letters were from Casteel's wife, Suzie, with hopes to break-up Frank and his mistress's relationship.
Police arrested Casteel arrested on April 15, 1997. His defense was that he and his wife were out camping on some of the land he owned on Signal Mountain the night of the murders, and did not hear any gunshots. But prosecutors said Casteel was angered by the sound of ATVs on what he believed was his property in the middle of the night.
A jury later convicted Casteel of the murders, and he was eventually sentenced to life in prison.
The criminal court of appeals ordered a new trial after his 1998 conviction, stating that some evidence should not have been allowed in trial.
A second jury convicted Casteel again in 2003, and he spent the rest of his life behind bars. He had been eligible for parole in 2024.
NewsChannel 9 is working to learn more information about Casteel's death. This story will be updated.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Online state records confirm that Frank Casteel, the man convicted in 1997 of killing three ATV riders on Signal Mountain, has died in prison. The Tennessee website for felony offender information lists Casteel as deceased. He was 71 years old.
Casteel was convicted in 1997 in the deaths of Richard Mason, Earl Smock and Kennith Griffith in July, 1988.
The men were last seen on their way to ride ATVs to one of Signal Mountain's favorite swimming spots, the Blue Hole. But they never returned home.
Police began an intensive search, and ultimately found their ATVs covered in blood nine miles from the entrance of the swimming hole, but no sign of their bodies. The bodies were found four days after officials recovered the ATVs, all with shotgun wounds.
It took nearly 10 years to connect the dots in the case, using several pieces of evidence and a sound recording of Frank Casteel.
Casteel's mistress, Marie Hill, also came forward to police about letters she had received during their relationship which was around the same time of the murder. The letters were sent to her anonymously. The letters were from Casteel's wife, Suzie, with hopes to break-up Frank and his mistress's relationship.
Police arrested Casteel arrested on April 15, 1997. His defense was that he and his wife were out camping on some of the land he owned on Signal Mountain the night of the murders, and did not hear any gunshots. But prosecutors said Casteel was angered by the sound of ATVs on what he believed was his property in the middle of the night.
A jury later convicted Casteel of the murders, and he was eventually sentenced to life in prison.
The criminal court of appeals ordered a new trial after his 1998 conviction, stating that some evidence should not have been allowed in trial.
A second jury convicted Casteel again in 2003, and he spent the rest of his life behind bars. He had been eligible for parole in 2024.
NewsChannel 9 is working to learn more information about Casteel's death. This story will be updated.