Ga. Hiker Suspect Linked To Fla. Slaying

Man Accused Of Killing, Decapitating Ga. Hiker Is Now Suspect In Fla. Case; Judge Denies Bail

(AP)  Authorities said Wednesday that a drifter accused of kidnapping and decapitating a 24-year-old hiker in Georgia is now a suspect in the slaying of a Florida woman whose body was found last month in a national forest.

Gary Hilton, 61, made his first court appearance after being charged Tuesday with murder in the Georgia case. He was ordered held without bail.

Meredith Emerson died of a blow to the head three days after she disappeared during a New Year's Day hike, authorities said. An autopsy report said she was decapitated after her death.

Hilton led investigators to Emerson's body Monday evening after Georgia prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty against him, officials said. He had already been charged Saturday with kidnapping with intent of bodily injury.

During Wednesday's hearing, Hilton spoke only to his attorney, telling him he had finished two years of college.

The attorney, Neil A. Smith, declined to comment, other than to say the case involved "significant mental health issues."

Hilton was the last person seen with Emerson on a hiking trail in the north Georgia mountains and had tried to use her credit card, according to an arrest warrant.

Three bloody fleece tops and a bloodstained piece of a car's seat belt were found in a trash bin beside a convenience store where Hilton had used a pay phone, the warrant said. Hilton had tried to vacuum and wash portions of his van, which was found without the rear seat belt, according to the document.

Authorities still did not release information on how Emerson met Hilton and what happened between her disappearance and her death. Those details will come out in court proceedings, authorities said.

In Florida, the Leon County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that Hilton was a prime suspect in the death of Cheryl Hodges Dunlap, whose body was found Dec. 19 in the Apalachicola National Forest, southwest of Tallahassee.

Authorities say a masked person suspected in Dunlap's death used her ATM card three times after her disappearance Dec. 1.

Sheriff's Maj. Mike Wood said Wednesday authorities had confirmed that Hilton was in the area at the time of Dunlap's disappearance.

Based on similarities between the Georgia and Florida cases and Hilton's presence in the area when Dunlap disappeared, Wood said Hilton was the focus of the Florida investigation.

[merge98fm]

To sunshine2940, see you''ve already killed this Gary fellow in your heart, and though he deserves to be thrown in the dungeon and put through some hell, our hearts cannot forget the SIXTH COMMANDMENT. Because then it turns into an uncountable amount of eyes for one. Plus death is a fire escape to a life of torment he could be put through, do you really want ole Gary to escape that easily?

[honestabe8]

trbl24u: the prisons are overcrowded due to drug prohibition, not murder. like it or not, we do not do summary executions without a trial. that is the way it should be. if you want otherwise, perhaps you would be more comfortable in another country

[carieg197]

I live near where this happened and have seen the spread of crime in areas were there used to not be any. It is the way of the world. Places you once felt safe at are now jepordized by actions like this. What I dont'' understand is why has this man not been taken out yet? Where are the rights to us, the people who end up having to support a evil person like Hilton thru our taxes in paying for his incarseration during this whole process? I beleive Hilton had rights but he waived those when he cause intentional harm. Decapitation? Blood found in his vechile.. common sense is slowing withering! He deserves nothing except death. That is my opinion.

[keithle1]

Black people don''t care about killing black people. It''s nothing to them. Young black men do it all the time. It''s so common, no one bats an eye. Not enough time to report on all the cases of young black men killing young black men.

[gmond]

The death penalty means nothing except more expense to the taxpayers. His life term will be a lot shorter and cheaper than if he were to sit protected and comfy on death row.

[Krazcarl]

Take him out and kill him what is so difficult about that the old goat murdered a young woman for his plesuere. WHY IS HE NOT DEAD.

[ladyephesus1]

Another day in the good ol United States!!

[ladyephesus1]

Another day in the good ol United States!!

[ladyephesus1]

Another day in the good ol United States!!

[ladyephesus1]

Another day in the good ol United States!!