Vigil set for couple tortured and murdered in Bellerose, Queens; suspect Jamel McGriff charged with homicide
BELLEROSE, Queens (WABC) — Prosecutors say 42-year-old Jamel McGriff confessed to torturing a Queens couple earlier than setting them on fireplace.
McGriff, a profession legal, is now dealing with a number of life sentences if convicted.
He was arraigned Thursday and held with out bail after a multi-day manhunt led to his arrest in Instances Sq. on Wednesday.
On Friday morning, Queens District Lawyer Melinda Katz outlined the investigation that led to McGriff’s arrest. That is when prosecutors say he confessed to officers saying: “I am going to admit it. I killed them, I do not give a (expletive). I killed them. I burned them (expletive).”
“So, sure, he did point out a few of these issues, as you simply indicated, when he was arrested,” Katz stated. “The issues that we will corroborate is that he did kill them. That’s fairly clear from the proof with respect to different issues, he stated.”
For every sufferer, McGriff was charged Thursday with a number of counts of first diploma homicide, two counts of theft, three prices of housebreaking, grand larceny, kidnap abduction leading to demise, kidnapping, arson, legal possession of a weapon, identification theft and legal possession of stolen property.
Police say McGriff set Frank and Maureen Olton, 76 and 77 years previous, on fireplace Monday after spending 5 hours inside their residence.
Officers say he was strolling round earlier within the day knocking on neighbors’ doorways and asking to cost his cellphone.
Regardless of initially believing Frank Olton let McGriff into his residence, a brand new evaluation of surveillance movies seems to indicate that was not the case.
Detectives now consider the sufferer informed the suspect handy over his cellphone and wait by the gate as he charged it inside, however as soon as contained in the gate, the suspect seems to have taken benefit of Olton’s kindness by pushing his means into the home.
The surveillance video recovered by police has audio, and on it detectives consider they’ll hear Olton ordering the suspect to “get the f- out of right here.”
New particulars from McGriff’s arraignment revealed that he was tracked on video from Queens Herald Sq.. Officers say he went straight to Macy’s the place he used Frank Olton’s bank card to buy $500 in luxurious garments however used his personal Macy’s rewards account quantity, along with his personal identify.
He was caught on video on the Regal Union Sq. movie show in a recliner, watching a film with tickets bought with Frank Olton’s bank card.
When 5 law enforcement officials approached him, officers say he didn’t put up any battle.
McGriff, described by police as a profession legal, is a degree 3 intercourse offender with a prolonged legal document stretching 30 years. He was launched from jail in 2023.
McGriff served 16 years in jail for an armed theft and is needed in two extra armed robberies this summer season.
“He has 17 priors, he has quite a few theft arrests, he’s on parole for theft, he’s identified to do industrial robberies,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated. “And in a single incidence, he did a industrial theft the place he sexually abused an worker. He was arrested for theft not quickly after that one. And that is that is why he’s on parole.”
Neighborhood holds vigil for beloved couple
At a vigil was held on Friday on the couple’s residence the place mates and neighbors turned out to recollect Frank and Maureen Olten.
“We have spoken sufficient in regards to the horrific crime and who dedicated them however tonight we wished to have fun Frank and Maureen Olton,” a neighbor Lourdes Villanueva stated.
Those that attended are decided to ensure the couple’s legacy lives on.
Neighbors and mates are nonetheless very shaken up over their deaths.
“Very upset. Damage. Questioning. Fearful,” stated Gina Quinn, a neighbor.
“They had been beautiful folks. It is a disgrace. It is disgrace. You’ll be able to’t open your own home to anybody proper now,” a neighbor Artie Augustine stated.
Villanueva stated Frank Olton was energetic of their communit and as soon as served because the co-president of the native civic affiliation.
Frank stood by his neighborhood.
He launched his household to me, and Frank was the eyes and ears of Bell proper right here if we wanted one thing if we wanted to know one thing, Frank was the one that would ship us an e mail and say that is what is going on on,” Villanueva stated.
Now elected officers are calling on the neighborhood to face by his household’s facet of their time of want.
“After I did discuss to one of many members of the family they’re so overwhelmed proper now,” Linda Lee with the town council stated.
Elected leaders stated the road can be renamed of their reminiscence.
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