JAMES RICHARD LAYNE

Richard Layne
Richard Layne
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Police artist sketch of suspect
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Update:  On March 22, 2017,  Samuel Edward Reeves of Bryant, Alabama, entered a guilty plea to Voluntary Manslaughter in the February 1989 death of James “Richard” Layne. He received a six (6) year prison sentence, which will be suspended to probation after he serves 11 months, 29 days in the county jail. The state has agreed to allow Reeves to serve his probation in his home state of Alabama. 

​James "Richard" Layne checked into La Plaza Motel on February 20, 1989. He paid for a one night stay. 

​The morning of February 21st Layne didn't check out, so motel staff entered his room and found Layne dead. 

The Ringgold, Georgia man had been robbed and stabbed to death. 

Original Investigating Agency: Chattanooga Police Department

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