Murdered teen seen in video with alleged killer
As seen on the CBS 58 morning news
|
Teen appears calm in surveillance video and unaware of what was about to happen
GERMANTOWN - Stunning developments in the murder of Cody Reetz as police release video showing the 14-year-old and his suspected killer together on the day of the murder. The video was taken just 20 minutes prior to the murder and, from the video, it appears Cody had no idea what was about to happen.
Prosecutors say surveillance cameras first show Cody and his stepfather, Charles Avey, together at a BP gas station in Jackson. Avey is reportedly seen standing outside pumping gas into his minivan, while Cody paid for it inside. The eighth grader appears calm, almost unsuspecting of what's about to happen.
Exterior cameras then allegedly show Avey using the pay phone, asking a friend to pick him up at Wal-Mart in Germantown in about 30 minutes. Cody is then seen hopping into the minivan and the two drive off. Minutes later, Wal-Mart surveillance cameras capture the minivan as it pulls into the parking lot. Police say that's when Cody was strangled with a necktie inside the van. The camera's don't catch anyone exiting the van, but they do reportedly show Avey about 40 minutes later getting out of his friend's car to make sure his van is locked. He and then friend then allegedly drive off.
Avey turned himself into Washington County authorities a short time later. He reportedly told investigators he killed Cody to get back at his wife for reporting a domestic violence incident. He's now charged with first-degree intentional homicide.