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Updated: 6:45 AM Nov 23, 2009
Teens Drinking with Victim Prior to 'Gruesome' Murder, Police Say
A fight over prescription drugs led to the murder of a South Charleston man, according to the criminal complaint.
Posted: 9:28 PM Nov 21, 2009Reporter: Mike Waterhouse Email Address: mike.waterhouse@wsaz.com |
(WSAZ Photo / Dave MacQueen)
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UPDATE: Sunday, November 22 @ 12:23am
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A fight over prescription drugs led to the murder of a South Charleston man, according to the criminal complaint.
51-year-old Jimmy Gillispie was found beaten and stabbed to death inside his Macon Street home Friday morning.

According to the criminal complaint for suspect Michael Thompson released by Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants late Saturday night, he and the other suspect, Jimmy Thompson, were at Gillispie's home drinking alcohol with him Friday morning.
Michael Thompson is 18 years old and Jimmy Thompson is 19 years old. The two are not related, but are considered to be friends. Police say they both have extensive juvenile records.
Another man who was at the home with the two teens told police that they decided to steal Gillispie's prescription medications. According to the complaint, when Gillispie realized they were missing, the witness saw Jimmy Thompson punch Gillispie in the face.
The witness told police that he left once the first punch was thrown. The witness called Michael Thompson later that morning to find out what happened at the house, and the complaint states that Michael said not to worry about it because Gillispie was dead.
Police in South Charleston found Gillispie's body inside his home during a welfare check Friday morning. It was during that time they got a call from the witness, who said he had information in the case.
Through contact with his attorney, Michael Thompson turned himself into police Saturday morning. Late Saturday evening, Jimmy Thompson turned himself in. Detectives say he had been in Boone County and arranged to meet them.
Detectives have described the beating and stabbing death of the 51-year-old Gillispie as gruesome.
UPDATE @ 9:06pm Saturday
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The second teenager wanted in connection with a gruesome murder in South Charleston has surrendered to police.
19-year-old Jimmy Eugene Thompson turned himself in at the South Charleston Police Department just before 9 p.m. Saturday. Detectives say he had been in Boone County and arranged to meet them.
The other suspect in the case, 18-year-old Michael Shane Thompson, turned himself in at about 11 a.m. Saturday. The two suspects are not related.
Investigators say the two Thompsons killed 51-year-old James Gillispie at his home on Macon Street Friday morning during some sort of physical altercation. The scene was described by detectives as "gruesome."
An assistant prosecutor for Kanawha County tells WSAZ.com that Gillispie was beaten and stabbed to death.
Detectives are currently questioning Jimmy Thompson and plan to take him to magistrate court shortly for his arraignment. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
UPDATE @ 11:08am Saturday
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- One of two teenagers wanted in connection with a gruesome murder in South Charleston has turned himself in to police.
South Charleston Police say 18-year-old Michael Shane Thompson's attorney contacted them Saturday morning saying he wanted to surrender. He has since been taken into custody -- and was taken to the hospital to get checked out for cuts and scratches.
"God bless America," stated Michael Thompson to the media while detectives walked him from the police station to a cruiser to be taken to magistrate court for his arraignment.
Thompson's father, John James, was also with him at the arraignment. He told WSAZ.com he was there to "support my son."
"Nobody ever wants to see somebody being in a situation... accused of something," said James. "Family should support family when you can."
19-year-old Jimmy Eugene Thompson is still wanted in connected with the case. Police say the two Thompsons, who are not related, killed 51-year-old James Gillispie at his home on Macon Street Friday morning during some sort of physical altercation. The scene was described by detectives as "gruesome."
"(Michael Thompson) has refused to make any statements. We have recovered some DNA evidence since we've had him in custody," said Detective Joel Gray with the South Charleston Police Department.
Detectives also say that the two teens have juvenile records.
Officers say the suspects and the victim were acquaintances -- and the teens had been at his house in the past.
An assistant prosecutor for Kanawha County tells WSAZ.com that Gillispie was beaten and stabbed to death.
No other details are being released right now. Magistrate Tim Halloran would not allow cameras into the courtroom during the arraignment -- and would not release a copy of the criminal complaint until it is filed with the magistrate clerk's office on Monday.
Anyone with information about Jimmy Thompson is asked to contact South Charleston Police at either (304) 744-6903 or (304) 348-8111.
If you have a photo of James that you'd like to share with us, please e-mail it to: pix@wsaz.com
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
UPDATE @ 12:44am Saturday
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- South Charleston Police are looking for two teenagers in connection with what they're calling a gruesome murder Friday morning.
Detectives say murder warrants have been issued for 19-year-old Jimmy Eugene Thompson and 18-year-old Michael Shane Thompson. The two are not related and are from the Charleston-South Charleston area.
Police say the two suspects were acquaintances with the victim, 51-year-old James Gillispie, who was found dead inside his home on Macon Street. The scene inside the home is considered "gruesome," according to police.
Officers tell WSAZ.com that it appears Gillispie let the teens into his home and then some sort of physical altercation took place, resulting in Gillispie's death.
Both Thompsons should be considered armed dangerous, according to police. Anyone with information about them is asked to contact South Charleston Police at either (304) 744-6903 or (304) 348-8111.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
UPDATE @ 11pm Friday
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- South Charleston Police say they are moving quickly to solve the murder of 51-year-old James Gillispie.
They've received numerous tips and already have interviewed several people about Gillispie's death.
Gillispie lived alone at a home along Macon Street. Police found blood on the driveway, which led them to Gillispie's body inside.
A crime scene unit from Huntington was called to the scene, and investigators spent all day collecting evidence in and around the house.
While police haven't released how Gillispie was killed, they did describe the crime scene as "gruesome."
Neighbors say they're not used to walking outside their doors and seeing crime scene tape. Gillispie's family was at the scene for most of the day, but didn't want to go on camera.
They told us, however, that he was a good guy who certainly didn't deserve this. Even though Gillispie lived alone, police do not believe he had been dead for long.
ORIGINAL STORY
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Police in South Charleston are on the scene of what they're calling a "gruesome" murder.
It happened early Friday morning at a house on Macon Street, which is off Central Avenue.
Detectives tell WSAZ.com that they were called to the house to check on the person living there -- and found him dead inside. They say that it clearly appears to be a murder. We're told blood was found inside and outside of the house.
Chief Brad Rinehart says the victim was 51-year-old James Andrew Gillispie.
A crime scene specialist from the Huntington Police was called to the scene to assist with the investigation.
No one has been arrested yet.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the South Charleston Police at (304) 744-6903.
WSAZ has a crew at the scene. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for more information.
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Latest Comments
when is the trial for these thugs?!!!!
Jimmy, we know your innocent! I love you baby and that red star! you'll be home soon enough! i love you! keep ya head up too!
Um, yeah it is our opinions, and we have the right to give ours too! and yeah you say "jim" wouldnt attack them and didnt sell pills? did you see every acpect of his life? no you were not there the night that this happened!
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