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UPDATED: Grand Jury rules double murder was self defense
Posted: 03.03.2011 at 3:22 AM
Updated: 03.09.2011 at 10:25 PM
FOX 31 News Team

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Two confirmed dead in early morning stabbing
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Two confirmed dead in early morning stabbing

ALBANY, GA -- Updated Wednesday at 3:10 p.m.

A Dougherty County Grand Jury ruled the stabbing deaths of Jerro Toye, 23, and Joshua Walls, 22, to be self defense and ruled no bill to the charges Willie Frank Lowe, 42, faced.

"We believe the evidence shows without a reasonable doubt that Willie Frank Lowe, also known as Willie Frank Berry, acted in self defense," says District Attorney Greg Edwards.

Edwards says Lowe was approached by Walls, Toye and possibly two other suspects who were trying to sell him marijuana. He says when Lowe denied them, that’s when things took a turn.

“In attempt to try to curtail the robbery, he just decided to throw his money on the ground. He pulled out a knife that he was carrying and as they were pistol whipping him he struck Walls and Toye," he says.

Edwards says the robbers were armed with a .380 caliber pistol and began attacking Lowe. Lowe fought back, he says, striking Walls twice and Toye three times.

"It was pretty clear that Mr. Lowe was defending himself in the face of a forcible felony and under Georgia law that is self defense," says Edwards.

Edwards says any criminal prosecution against Lowe involving this case will stop immediately.

He says they will now focus their investigation into the possible two suspects they believe were involved in the attempted armed robbery.

FOX 31's Sarah Bleau contributed to this story.


UPDATED SUNDAY 9:00 P.M.

Police say a fist fight between several men outside an Albany bar led to the stabbing deaths of two men.

The Albany police department released details Friday about the stabbing deaths of 23-year-old Jerro Toye and 22-year-old Joshua O’Neal Walls.

The two were found dead behind the Applejax Sports Bar & Lounge about 2:40 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities have named Willie Frank Lowe as a "person of interest" in the deaths.

He was arrested on outstanding probation warrants but has not been charged in connection with the slayings.


UPDATED THURSDAY AT 5:45 P.M.

Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards says an arrest has been made in connection to the fatal stabbings that occurred early Thursday morning at Applejax Sports Bar and Lounge.

42-year-old Willie Frank Lowe turned himself in to police today.  He's currently being charged with probation violation and officials are working to figure out future charges. 

Edwards says police have the kitchen knife used in the stabbing deaths of 22-year-old Joshua O'Neal Walls and 23-year-old Jerro Toye.  Autopsies were performed on both men today and officials are awaiting the final results, but say the cause of death was from a "sharp edge wound".

The case is still under investigation.  This is Albany's 4th and 5th homicides of the year.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Original Story:

The bodies of two men were found early Thursday morning in the back parking lot of Applejax Sports Bar and Lounge.

Police say 23-year-old Jerro Toye and 22-year-old Joshua O’Neal Walls were fatally stabbed. Detectives are currently interviewing witnesses to assist them with developing suspects and determining what events led up to the stabbings.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they should call Crime Stoppers at (229) 436-TIPS or the Albany Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau at (229) 431-3288.

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