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For Immediate Release |
Contact: |
| June 11, 2011 |
Deputy U.S. Marshal Amanda Lyons 803-223-4062 |
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U.S. Marshals Arrest Suspect
in Cold Case Killing of a Marshals Employee |
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – The
U.S. Marshals Service arrested Haywood Devonne Bolton, III – wanted for the
1996 killing of a Marshals Service employee – Friday in Spartanburg, South
Carolina. On
Oct. 15, 1996, Hiram “Bill” Morrical, a U.S. Marshals Service information
technology employee, was killed during an armed robbery attempt while
checking into a Shreveport, La., hotel with his wife during a business trip.
The cold case had been opened several times over the past 14 years, including earlier this year by a Marshals Service fugitive task force working with the Bossier City Police Department and Bossier Parish District Attorney’s Office in Louisiana. Deputies and task force officers developed information this week leading to two alleged accomplices, who then confessed and identified Bolton as the killer. A first-degree murder warrant was issued for Bolton based on the confessions and further investigation. The Marshals and multiple task forces and local law enforcement agencies in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and South Carolina immediately began fugitive investigations. Leads were developed that focused the investigation on South Carolina, and Bolton was captured shortly thereafter. Bolton is in custody in South Carolina. He faces arraignment on pending charges and possible extradition to Louisiana. Kelvin Washington, U.S. Marshal for the District of South Carolina, said, “The hard work and dedication of every law enforcement agency handling this case should be commended. I applaud the assistance given by Spartanburg Police Department in locating and apprehending Bolton. The family may feel some closure to this tragic case with the arrest of Bolton. I commend the dedicated men and women on their continued and tireless efforts to close this case. The District of South Carolina sends our deepest condolences to the family of Bill Morrical.Henry Whitehorn, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Louisiana, said, “We extend our deepest gratitude to the deputies and task force officers who played a vital role in closing this cold case investigation and apprehending the murderer of a Marshals employee.” Judd Nicholson, Deputy Assistant Director of the U.S. Marshals Service Information Technology Division, said, “Bill Morrical’s loss had an enormous impact on the IT organization at that time, and many of his colleagues continue to work at the Marshals Service. On behalf of these personnel, I thank all those that played a part in the capture and arrest of this criminal. Bolton’s arrest was made by the U.S. Marshals South Carolina Operation Intercept Task Force and Spartanburg Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Western Louisiana Violent Offenders Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Technical Operations Group. |