Man, woman charged for central Texas robbery, murder
AUSTIN, Texas -- A man and woman were charged with capital murder on Monday for the death of a central Texas man killed during a home robbery in September, CBS affiliate KEYE-TV reported.
Investigators told the station that on Sept. 16, police officers responded to a tip -- reportedly given to them by an inmate at the Travis County jail -- that a homicide had occurred in Round Rock. Deputies responded and found Jerrod Stanford, 33, inside his home.
An autopsy later determined that Stanford died from a gunshot wound and the death was declared an homicide. After a lengthy investigation, two suspects -- Da Ryan Tarrell Simms and Lindsay Taylor Hanks -- were arrested.
According to investigators, Hanks allegedly arranged to meet with the victim at his home with a plan to rob him. Simms then allegedly entered the home with a gun and shot Stanford twice -- killing him. Following the murder, the suspects allegedly returned to Stanford's home to take several belongings -- including firearms, electronics, money, credit cards and a vehicle parked in the driveway, according to the CBS affiliate.
Simms had already been arrested on unrelated charges, but was booked in the Williamson County jail on capital murder charges. An arrest warrant affidavit said that the suspect had one of the victim's stolen firearms, as well as a box of ammunition, matching the bullets used in the killing, according to the Austin-American Statesman, which reports that Simms is 21, and Hanks, 22.
The affidavit also stated that Simms had initially told police that the victim had been dead when he arrived, but he later said that they had to shoot Stanford, because he had started to fight, reports the daily newspaper.
Hanks is currently in custody at the Travis County jail. She will be transferred to Williamson County at a later date on capital murder charges as well, police told KEYE-TV.
This investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriff's Office at 512-943-1313.