Damn, this is terrible to hear.
What a nightmare.
Damn, this is terrible to hear.
What a nightmare.
Here is a story with a bit more detail...
https://www.thedailybeast.com/james-...kp81CxMHtkgC1Q
Two interesting statements. he "went after a group of four hikers camped out for the night" makes it sound like they were weekend campers, not thru-hikers. I might be reading to much into that.
Also, activated an SOS? I take that to mean the hiker had an inreach or similar device? Maybe not a weekender after all?
The girl played dead to survive.
Last edited by imscotty; 05-12-2019 at 18:56.
“For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”
John Greenleaf Whittier
Washington Post has a story up, complete with an interview with Odie Norman
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local...127_story.html
The image of the defendant looks like evil itself.
Be Prepared
So typical. Arrested but let go and kills. Justice system cares little for victims.
Everything is in Walking Distance
Very sad. Feel so much for the victims and their families.
Hiking the AT is statistically very safe, but characters like this guy prey upon the lack of proximity to law enforcement that exists in the backwoods. I don't know the law and don't know the details, but when this cat was released in NC and then was back out there after the Unicoi County officials tried to intervene, I had a bad feeling. People threatening others with machetes do not belong on the trail and officials in towns should understand there is a problem with them.
Reading the articles, Washington Post, The Daily Beast, etc., it is clear this whack job was a daily and nightly menace, not just one nuisance event as it seemed to be earlier in the thread. Hikers have been reported and interdicted by law enforcement for far less. I find it astounding that "sovereign" was able to do as much damage as he was able to do.
What is the exact mile number (AWOL or Guthook) where the attack took place? Was it at a shelter? If so, which one?
It's maddening that this guy wasn't held longer in Unicoi. He was clearly a danger to others. Condolences to the family of the lost hiker. I know that poor woman's life will ever be the same, either. It's frustratingly sad.
"Its who we are" just posted this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZyirf318sM
They were evidently directly involved and escaped the attack.
The authorities in Unicoi who declined to hold Sovereign for a mental health evaluation are likely going to face liability in the tens of millions of dollars.
So sad....I pray for the families of those involved....
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Wow. What a tragedy! I hope all victims involved can recover and move on. Just wow.