Brownstonelit's Blog

9/28/2013

This morning I took the dogs out early, steam rose in tiny tendrils from the lake and I thoroughly enjoyed the chill in the air, but it did not compare to the chill in my blood when I came back inside, sat down at my desk,  opened an envelope and began to read…

The INQUEST VERDICT for Charles G. Covington, November 2nd, 1966 and filed in the office of _______________, December 8, 1966:

“They said Charles G. Covington was,  on a date unknown, issued a certain .38 Special Colt Commando pistol, serial number__________; and that said pistol was issued to Charles G. Covington by an agency of the Federal government for his official use…”

Really? Because the Feds never knew about this and the widow never saw this gun before her husband was shot with it. Also, why is the date of issue”unknown?” If the Feds had issued it- wouldn’t they have known where and when?

Later it goes on to read…

“That the hereinabove-referred to pistol was found under the body of the said Charles G. Covington; that two shots had been fired from said pistol…” and later still it continues with, “…We further find that, from all the evidence presented, from the results of the ballistics test and medical evidence presented, from the location of the said Charles G. Covington’s body, from the evidence pertaining to the absence of any struggle, from the lack of any other evidence indicating foul play…”

Ok, so let’s stop right here. How is it that almost 47 years after this man’s death we seem to have all the evidence that proves this to be a farce and yet it was not presented to anyone back then?

Let’s take a good look at those, “Ballistics” tests? They suggest that the test confirm two bullets from the same gun; but that’s only if they never saw page2!  Hmmmm… so does this prove that the original page 2 from the GBI Crime Lab Report that holds the key about the different signatures on the bullets which definitively PROVES BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT that 2 guns were used to kill Charley…were missing at the time of the INQUEST?How could this be? Such stellar investigative work had them close the case in little more than three weeks! Surely they would have known about the two guns then, right? How did this little nugget of information escape the purview of lawyers and judges, huh? How did the FEDERAL files not ever contain this page? Or the state’s files? Want me to tell the folks how, Grim? Want me to share how all of this was manipulated, from the body at the crime scene to the paper work in the halls of the capitol?

How is this that only one person had this on file? Page 2 clearly showed the truth about the bullet fragments and the fallacy of the statements recorded…so why did nobody ever bother… even years after the death of Charley… ever bring this forward? There are NO STATUTE of LIMITATIONS on murder in this state! How could they have so epically failed in their duty to pursue further evidence and truth? How did this page never make it out of a file for 44 years? Or to the state… or to the Feds?

Shall we talk about your connections on high? Shall we ask why this document never made it into any files- save for one that you have been sweating blood over for 3 years now?

Shall we ask who removed it then… in 1966 when it would have helped to point fingers at the real killers in this case?

Also, let’s look at the “lack of struggle” issue. Seriously? Because I had a high ranking state court official tell me , “off the record” of course, Charley was shot in  self defense- that there was a struggle between him and several officers and that’s how the gun went off.  So how  do you walk something like that back?  The top and bottom shells were spent in this pistol and any idiot knows that you cannot shoot yourself twice in the head without a credible void pattern somewhere and then fall directly forward onto the weapon-still holding it, legs and shoes perfectly straight-aligned with the edge of the road and with hat and a flashlight at your side. The inconsistencies are mind-boggling and I cannot imagine the mental gymnastics performed to make this _____________ fly.

But the best indictment on this page comes at the very end:

“…and from the opinions of the investigating officers, we find that the said Charles G. Covington died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds…”

From the opinions of the investigating officers…how convenient! Which officers might those be?

So which one of the investigating officers couldn’t read a ballistics report properly? Which one of the investigating officer’s thinks it takes a flashlight to find your own face in order to take it out? Which one of the investigating officer’s thinks that if you refuse to take statements the night of the crime and then ask minors to sign paperwork 10 days later that it is OK to not let them write their own statements- but better to not quibble over details like what they REALLY saw and sign ones already typed for them? Which investigating officers forgot to make the statements match the photos? Or the weather… or the evidence even?

And which idiot thought that just because they said so…SUICIDE was the OBVIOUS answer to all the questions the widow asked? Or even to the questions I ask now and in the book?

Ding- ding-ding…Survey says?  All of the investigating officers on this case! But not just them- how about all the others behind the scenes who did their best to try and clean things up as they discovered their mistakes and failed miserably to plug all the holes in their Swiss cheese explanations. People in high and low places… officers and agencies with offices that manipulated and maneuvered paperwork and files. So many trails left behind to follow kids…so many mistakes made along the way.

Justice has an obligation to follow through on this- so did and does the law, but you must demand it of them, Valdosta.

Demand that the law finish their job. It is not this generation of law officers that committed the crimes, but it is this generation that has an obligation to this town, to this family and to this man’s legacy to finish this for him… to change his DEATH CERTIFICATE from suicide to homicide and to bring this case to fruition. The book was written so that others might take up this cause and move it forward, as there are other cases waiting for me in the ques and I have need to be about bringing whatever peace and closure can be met to others.

Charles G. Covington did not commit suicide. This we know- this the evidence will help prove.

He was great man, but not great enough to be able to die twice. Nobody shoots themselves twice in the head; once through the underside of the chin and the other through the right temporal lobe  and then takes another minute or two to line themselves up with the car lights, roll up their sleeves- different levels for each “photo” mind you, and then scuffs the backs of their shoes only to then take another minute or two to make certain that all his hand remains on the gun under his belly- his arms bent at just the right angles… or rather several different angles in several different pictures…and that legs line up straight to the road-perfectly perpendicular!

OR… the best and my favorite reveal of these photos; that the victim falls so perfectly- EXCEPT for the fact that the pools of blood- supposedly his- never actually touch or even come close to being from the actual source. That is quite a trick, especially in the pouring rain, don’t you think kids? Especially considering that his body could be the ONLY source of his blood!

Now, I know you were under a lot of pressure that night, Grim. You and the others. So many things to do… so many lies to concoct, cars to move, evidence to destroy and things to hide. Like maybe other people…maybe other bodies? The other gun? Other witnesses? But seriously, kids…what was this? Amateur night at the OK Corral?

So now I ask you…which one of the investigating officers would like to take credit for all that stellar investigative work that led the INQUEST to believe Charley killed himself? Or rather, how many investigative officials did it take to try and mask enough evidence to make it seem as if Charley might have killed himself?

Grim, how stupid do you think the folks of Valdosta are?

So let’s ask some tougher questions this morning, because I grow weary of your insolent silence on the matter, Grim. How many years can  former law enforcement and court officials get charged with for obstructing justice? Tampering with evidence? Lying under oath? Withholding evidence and then conspiring for 47 years to conceal the truth about a murder… or wait… not just one murder…but perhaps several? Let’s not forget about Jessica, Roxanne and the MOT! Who by the way has been documented and is on file!

I couldn’t get you to keep quiet in the beginning, but now so silent? Why?

This is your chance to go on record. Correct me where I am wrong. I am an amenable sort…just tell me where I am off here and I will happily correct my suppositions. Wake-up, Grim and call your buddies too! The four horseman ride and they ride for you, my sorry old man. Your legacy will be your lies. I promised I would not quit in this search for justice for Charley, especially just because the book is done. I even made that clear in the book. Did you not look at the last page?

It read:

“THE END?”

That’s right…open ended, just like this case. And just like the souls of those you helped snuff out- I will not rest until they can rest! The anniversary of Charley’s murder is but weeks away. Consider your options and then, CONFESS and be at peace with your decision to do so. It will be your saving grace in the end… without it?

I fear Hell awaits your arrival with baited breath.

9/22/2013

Happy Official Autumnal Equinox!

That being said, just know that information has been coming through of late and that shoe I mentioned? The one I thought dropped the other day…that was a slipper. The real shoe dropped within the last 48 hours and it is not necessary to linger about that as it is more important for me to know what that entails than you. But thank you Charley and Happy Belated.

Ok…

So someone talked to Charley 24 hours before his death. Together they had a conversation about a man nick-named Red something… a man named H____________, and another man with a red door. Charley told this person about a personal change that would be occurring for him in two weeks, which put that at about October 23 or 24th of 1966. He also told this person about what he suspected and said that something huge was going to go down later in February of the next year-1967. That was why he felt he had more time to investigate what he thought was going on. And there were other things  mentioned too… a note written by that person about their conversation that night and left in a book. A book that still exists. A man who sat in a wooden chair by a bathroom at the end of a hallway in a room with wooden slats where the man with the red door and the piercing eyes used to sit, while others  drank and played poker…the man who left muddy wet prints outside Charley’s office that night.

So what was it you all had planned for February of 1967, Grim? Another victim? Something to do with the Presidential Race of that year? Or, maybe something closer to home?

I will have to root around and do some more homework… but I will figure it out.

Oh, and last night they keep mentioning the letters L and T.  And then again today, they mentioned the letters L and T  several more times. What’s up with that?

Stay tuned…

9/17/2013

I apologize for the breech of delay…

It has been an exceptionally busy week for me and between the production and academics and my trip to join up with other writers who are forming a Sisters In Crime Low Country Chapter… I have been betwixt and between roads everywhere across the state and left with very little time to simply compose a cohesive thought. Even now I have a great many pressing things to do and yet… I must pause in the midst of my activities to tell you that yesterday a wondrous gift was given.

When last I wrote, I wrote you about my message– the one about the other shoe dropping. Well, yesterday I believe I heard it fall! Of course I would love to tell you how and by whom it was dropped- but, as I promised, the book may be done, but the investigation lives on!

We are but 22 days from the anniversary of Charley’s death and only a few days from his Birthday and I am anxious to give him some sort of a gift! What shall it be?

A Confession?

News about another victim?

Another clue?

Another chapter published here for all the world to read?

I have a very extensive following on this blog now Grim- -even on TWITTER– thanks to you. And the more you ask people questions about me down there- the more they tune it…the more books fly off the proverbial shelf! I have to tell you, Grim ole boy- YOU are my best agent! YOU are my best source of advertising!

The more you panic. The more you skulk between the past and present… the more they watch your every move. They tilt their heads now to catch a glimpse of the scar under your left eye and wonder if Rox could talk- what she would say about you. If Jessica’s baby had been born… who would she look like? They watch how you slip in and out of buildings- curious about how you spend your time and money and wonder? Is today the day he confesses? Is it really his family money… or it is really years of blood money now being spent?

How many bank accounts are there… how many deposits and withdrawals? How did you all hide all that money? Moonshine on the rails…drugs and guns on the roads… gambling debts and moonshine profits in the freezers…diamonds hidden within a store?

The more they read the book they wonder- which grave locations are veiled and which clues have been left untouched- waiting for somebody to dig… or poke their way around.

Where is the spikey fence with the swamp nearby?

Where is the old tree with the carvings and the series of little lakes?

Where is that old country club pool?

Why… maybe they could dig up a souvenir or two- a bone even- just to help loosen your jaw?

Why… they could even use your personal favorites, if you’d let them: Remember the compass and bloody shovel? You still got ’em?

They ask: How is it two girls went missing and nobody ever asked a question? How is it a body went from beaten, to dead, to buried in another city in less than 72 hours? What were their families told? Who explained the bruising? How do you drown with no water in your lungs… or breathe with a shovel slammed into your face? When the parents asked the questions- did you call them whores or misguided waitresses? Did you tell them about the porn? Did you say anything about the__________ you all made with them? Or did you smile your crooked smile and tell them they got tired of that sandy little burg- dusted off their shoes and decided to move on? Did you say that you saw them leave town with someone else? Were you even able to look them in the eyes? Wouldn’t they like to know had happened to their children? To their sister…daughter…father… brother… or uncle?

I WOULD WANT TO KNOW.

So what are you going to do when everyone eventually starts to ask you questions about, “the book?” What will you say? What will you do? Tell them that I am the liar? They already know so much is true. Everyone knows Charley did not commit suicide- IT WAS MURDER!

Your cronies cannot save you now- they cannot even save themselves. People will ask you about the TRUTH and you can’t touch them Grim-because you no longer have the power to erase them. Your, ‘good ole boy’ days are long gone. You can’t have people removed and not have others ask what happened now. The book is out there-warts and all. So, with no place to hide but behind your curtains… what good does that shiny little badge, that torn hat and those dusty acorns do for you now, hmmm? Not much I’ll wager- no power left in them now. They are little more than tarnished trinkets- that’s all…a symbol of your gangly youth, verbose ego and lack of morals.

You have no power over Valdosta any more, Grim and it is high time for them to take it back for themselves.

So let’s talk turkey…

When are you gonna just give up the ghost- (no pun intended) – and tell the truth about what you and Einstein and the farmer in the dell conspired to do that night? G is dead… the shooter is dead… the others are dead. When are you going to finally tell the truth about how you tried to cover it up and then confess to the 47 years of lies after that you told to try and protect yourselves from discovery? Nobody is left to save you. They will turn on you, Grim- they must- in order to save themselves.

Everyone else has confessed to their sins…

G

The MOT

Roxanne

Jessica

The Shooter…and the tens of others that are mentioned in the book. We know the witness statements were… Oh, let’s just say… less than truthful. Ballistic reports don’t lie…neither does evidence. Two bullets- two guns!

Do you really want to drag this out any longer? Eventually you may have to spend more of your energy to prove your innocence, than I might have to expend in order to prove your guilt. Think about it. This is your chance. Go big or go home Grim! You said you wanted to be in the movies- but are you really ready for your close-up, because you just might get the chance.

The more the book gets passed around- the more folks will no longer ask about your innocence. Their eyes will glaze over when you speak and suspicion will continue to follow you everywhere. The store, the doctor’s offices…local museums…Need I go on?

Valdosta- won’t you join me? Let’s give Charley a well-deserved Birthday present this year.

Call your local paper…call your local law offices and tell them you want this case re-opened at the local level as well. Those of you who have more information, step out of the shadows and into the light of truth. Drag Grim and the others kicking and screaming to the courthouse of public appeal and ask that they explain why they committed such crimes? What did it garner them in the end?

Each one, like the ones before will pass over and then what lies will they try to tell their maker? Let’s help them find a way to come clean before it is too late.

C’mon Valdosta… a present for Charley! What do you say?

9/10/2013

Ok. So what’s with the fish? Every time I check into my admin slot on this blog, somebody has pulled up the blog about the DEAD FISH!

It cracks me up…who knew a dead fish would be so alluring to folks! Stay tuned- that’s for the next book about the Dixie Mafia! Whew baby- now that’s gonna be another ride as well. But for now, let’s concentrate on this one!

Why? Because this is a WILD ADVENTURES kinda ride- isn’t it Grim?

Or should we ask Roxanne about that- seeing as she stares at that thing all day long! Oh sorry- that’s for safe keeping in the book… and now in the heads of hundreds of Valdostan’s who are reading the book and cannot believe this has happened! Believe it children–your sandy little burg was one free ride for the badges. They did what they wanted to whom they wanted and then buried it all underneath…Uh- Oh! There I go again, giving away half the book! My bad. Guess you will just have to read it to find out WHO and WHERE and HOW and WHEN.

That being said, I have been a bit beside myself, trying to be good and waiting for, “time to catch up to me” I believe that is the way it was worded. That time has now come. It’s called HARVEST time Grim and you know what that means? All the good deeds you have done will be balanced against the bad. So how are the scales looking for you these days? Hmmm… I can see- or rather hear through the grapevine that, that’s become a bit of a concern for you, hasn’t it?

You, Einstein and the Farmer in the Dell have just about used up all your superficial “Atta-Boys.”  Time for the “Oh- sh…ts” to take over and that my dear man is why they say KARMA is a BITCH.

So, last night I went to bed and just before I closed my eyes, I asked for more information. Basically this has been a somewhat quiet month from the cosmos, although the stars portend that closer to the end of the month is gonna be beyond interesting. But just the same- I dog them, just like I dog you and asked for further guidence. Even though I was up several times throughout the night…nothing came through. Frustrated, I finally decided patience was my only option and fell back asleep. About an hour or so and just before the dawn I heard that old familiar whisper begin. Only this morning, instead of being somewhat cryptic- they simply blurted it out.

“The other shoe is about to drop!”

Yep… that’s what they said. Now part of me, I confess, was a bit worried that I had heard them wrong. Usually there is a bit more consideration to deal with. As in, I have to think harder about the potential meaning of the locution. You know, like the time they said, “The little guy will be the one to take them down.” Now originally I thought that meant “take them down- like take them out…but that wasn’t it at all. They literally meant the little guy would be the one to take them down. Oh, take what down you ask? Well I know you are reading the book so you will find out towards the end.  Anyway- let’s get back to last night- or rather this morning.

There was no hesitation- no reconsidering what the message meant. It meant exactly what it said:

“THE OTHER SHOE IS ABOUT TO DROP!”

Now the only question I have is… who’s shoe?

Yours, Grim?

Or mine?

Harvest time baby…harvest time! We reap what we sew.

Don’t you just love this time of year? Makes me think about some of the other clues:

“The crow tried to scratch out Grim’s eye…the scarecrow goes up there this time every year… the metal unicycle in the yard… the man who has a ladder by the house…the swamp across from the fence… they rolled something into it late that night…”

Or was it…”they rolled someone into it late that night?”

9/9/2013

There is great power in this date with the double 9’s, R.

With great power comes great responsibility…remember it!

There are now only 30 days before the anniversary of Charley’s murder. Valdosta…let’s get an article published in the newspaper before then. The clock is ticking! Call your newspaper now…It should not be a bother 48 years before justice is served.

I have a little present planned for you Grim. It should arrive soon!

8/31/2013

We stand on the cusp of a new season and a new reality.

The build has begun, the whispers are becoming louder and soon the lid of secrecy will no longer be able to be kept on what happened the night of October 9th, 1966. Too many people now know about the book.

Pandora’s box has been opened.

Find out why several of your citizens are now looking for a place to hide.

Read the book: THE THIN GRAY LINE by TA Powell about the Covington murder. Now available at Amazon.com in both digital and paperback.