Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 15, 1994 TAG: 9410170063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: VIRGINIA EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But while saying that, Foutz asked Bramblett, who has been the target of two search warrants, to come forward and clear his name.
"Bramblett obviously feels that he is a suspect," Foutz said. "I offer him the opportunity to set the record straight. ... All we want to do is get to the truth and the bottom of this."
In a letter to the Roanoke Times & World-News received Thursday, Bramblett said police lied about his involvement in the slayings to obtain their search warrants. His truck and motel room were searched by investigators shortly after police discovered the victims' bodies the morning of Aug. 29. The next week, investigators executed another search warrant on a storage locker he rented in Vinton.
"We deal with the facts, and we lay the facts out," Foutz said. "Bramblett may not agree with them, and apparently he does not. But the facts remain, and that's what we based our searches on."
Because both affidavits have been sealed from public view, it is not known what police were looking for or if they confiscated anything.
Bramblett, 52, was a frequent companion of the Hodgeses, who were found slain in their burned-out Vinton home.
Teresa Hodges, 37, was strangled. A small-caliber gun was used to kill the other three family members: Blaine Hodges, 41, was shot once in the head; the couple's two daughters - Winter, 11, and Anah, 3 - had each been shot twice in the head.
Foutz said investigators questioned many of the Hodgeses' family members and friends after the murders. They talked with Bramblett the day the bodies were discovered, hoping to find out more about the family's last days.
But Bramblett was uncooperative and abruptly terminated the interview, Foutz said.
"All of his actions have been odd, considering he is a close family friend," he said. "If I was placed in that position, I would do everything I could to help the authorities get to the bottom of this."
In his letter, Bramblett said he had contacted several attorneys who advised him not to speak with police. Bramblett also said he traveled throughout the Roanoke area, throughout Virginia and out of state since the slayings, and that police were aware of his journeys.
He said that if police arrest him, he will not talk.
Foutz said police are not looking for Bramblett. They have not questioned him since Aug. 29.
Keywords:
ROMUR
by CNB