Cops: Robbery Likely Motive for Mississippi Shootings

A Nebraska Man Was Killed in May 8

By Holbrook Mohr, Associated Press

CREATED May. 18, 2012

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Jackson, MS (AP) - Authorities say robbery appears to be the motive of a suspect in a pair of killings that frightened motorists in northwestern Mississippi.

Tunica County Sheriff K.C. Hamp said Friday that 28-year-old James D. Willie was arrested after the investigation of an alleged rape turned up evidence linking him to the killings.

The first roadside killing happened May 8, when Thomas Schlender of Nebraska was found dead in his car on Interstate 55. Then local casino employee Lori Anne Carswell was found dead in her car on Mississippi Highway 713 on May 11.

Willie was arrested Tuesday after a woman said he attacked her. The sheriff says tests on shell casings and a gun found during the rape investigation matched shells recovered at the killing sites.

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