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Written by: E. George
Published May 20, 2024 @ 9:00 PM ET
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities arrested four men from multiple states in connection with an 11-year-old Clayton County cold case involving the torture and murder of three victims. On January 13, 2013, police found a 2010 Dodge Charger deserted on Interstate 85 in Union City containing the bodies of 32-year-old Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson, 33-year-old Quinones King, and 43-year-old Rodney Cottrell.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner revealed that Colquitt-Thompson was discovered deceased from strangulation in the vehicle’s trunk, and King and Cottrell were found on the rear seats, having perished from asphyxiation. Officials determined that the suspects lured the victims to a Magnolia Drive home in Jonesboro, held them captive at gunpoint, tortured them, and then killed them before placing them in the vehicle.
Decades later, in 2024, officials uncovered evidence leading to the apprehension of four men. One of the suspects, 45-year-old Keante Harris, was employed as the McAdory Middle School assistant principal in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin stated, “We have been made aware that Mr. Keante Harris was arrested Wednesday afternoon. At this time, we still are gathering facts about the specifics of this situation; however, early indications are that the charges are not related to this individual’s employment with Jefferson County Schools.
Per standard procedure, Mr. Harris has been placed on paid administrative leave. As more facts become available, we will act according to our district’s policy.”
Harris faces three counts of malice murder and remains detained at the Jefferson County Jail, awaiting an expected extradition to Georgia on May 28 or earlier. Authorities apprehended the three other suspects in Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
A Clayton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson expressed in a statement, “Chief Kevin Robert, the head of Clayton County Police Department, and his outstanding investigators were able to crack this 11-year-old case and provide Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley and her team with the proper information to successfully get murder indictments from the grand jury.
On Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office received 12 murder warrants for Kenneth Thompson (3 Counts of Malice Murder), Keante Harris (3 Counts of Malice Murder), Kevin Harris (3 Counts of Malice Murder), Darrell Harris (3 Counts of Malice Murder).
Upon receipt of this information, Sheriff Levon Allen immediately activated his “Elite Fugitive Unit” to locate and apprehend all four of the outstanding suspects.
I’m pleased to announce today that through hard work and diligent investigations, within 48 hours, all four murder suspects were taken into custody across three states without incident.
Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen would like to thank each of our law enforcement partners, locally and abroad, who came together to bring these suspects to justice.”
Officials have not released whether or not the three Harris men are relatives.
King’s sister and Colquitt-Thompson’s aunt stated, “I was really concerned that so much time had passed that we weren’t going to get this case closed.” She said the fact that authorities had not yet arrested any suspects was agonizing her.
She stated, “We knew who did it, but there was no evidence.” She believes the suspects are relatives of her niece’s husband.
She explained that King, the second-youngest child, was fun and enjoyed being silly. She stated, “He was actually the glue that held our family together.”
She continued, “My brother had kids. My niece had a son. And with the kids asking about their dad, and then, him missing out on graduations, and his youngest brother having kids – it was hard.”
After Harris’ preliminary court appearance, House said, “You take someone from their family, and you’re OK with it? For 11 years, you walked around here as if nothing ever happened.”
She said her father, who passed two years ago, often spoke about gaining closure, and she feels that the recent arrests accomplished that hope. She added that she wants the killers to be prosecuted to the law’s fullest extent.
King’s mother never stopped hoping for justice. She stated, “It was hard. Can you imagine me sitting up half of the night, crying? I couldn’t understand how someone could take my children, my granddaughter, my son’s life.”
Thankful for the police’s unyielding efforts, she stated, “I just want to thank the Lord and thank them for working hard after hours, over the hours, to make this happen for our family.”
This case is pending in court.
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