Queens, NY – A New York City man charged with killing a senior Queens couple and setting their house on fire during a violent home invasion also allegedly attempted to drain their bank accounts before going on a shopping spree with their credit cards, prosecutors revealed on Tuesday.
Jamel McGriff Faces Multiple Charges in the Brutal Murder
Jamel McGriff, a 42-year-old Bronx resident and serial robbery suspect currently on parole, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to multiple charges, including murder, kidnapping, and arson, according to the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office. McGriff is accused of the September 8 killings of Frank Olton, 76, and Maureen Olton, 77, in their home in the borough of Queens.
A Shocking Home Invasion and Attempted Theft
Prosecutors allege that McGriff began his deadly assault by going door-to-door in the neighborhood asking residents if he could come inside to charge his cellphone. He reportedly spoke with Frank Olton, who offered to help, before McGriff forced his way into the Oltons’ home. Once inside, McGriff held the couple captive for nearly five hours.
The horror that unfolded within the couple’s home was revealed when firefighters responded to reports of a house fire. Upon entering the home, authorities discovered Frank Olton’s body in the basement, tied to a pole with multiple stab wounds to his neck and chest. In the living room, they found Maureen Olton’s badly burned body, with signs of strangulation. Prosecutors said McGriff set the house on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence of the murders.
McGriff’s Attempt to Steal and Spend the Couple’s Money
In addition to the gruesome murder, prosecutors revealed McGriff’s attempt to steal from the Oltons before killing them. He tried to transfer more than $10,000 from the couple’s bank accounts to his own, but was unsuccessful. After the murder, McGriff took the couple’s credit cards and spent nearly $800 at a Macy’s store in midtown Manhattan, just hours after the killings. He used the cards to purchase clothes in an apparent attempt to enjoy the spoils of his violent crime.
McGriff’s Capture and Legal Proceedings
McGriff was apprehended the following day after being spotted at a movie theater in Times Square. Prosecutors said that despite his attempt to cover up the crime by setting the house on fire, McGriff’s spending spree led to his capture.
The suspect, who had served 16 years in prison for previous crimes and was on parole at the time of the murders, was ordered to remain in custody until his next court appearance on November 12. If convicted, McGriff faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Legal Aid Society Statement on Behalf of McGriff
McGriff’s defense team, the Legal Aid Society, issued a statement on Tuesday urging the public to reserve judgment. They emphasized that they are in the early stages of investigating the case and called for people to “not draw any conclusions until all the facts are known.”
This tragic case has left the local community shaken, as the details of the home invasion and the brutal murders continue to unfold. As the investigation progresses, the Olton family and their loved ones await justice for the elderly couple, whose lives were taken in such a violent and senseless manner.
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