When police arrived at the crime site, a Florida man accused of murdering his mother was discovered crying, and he allegedly presented an unusual rationale when questioned.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported on Thursday that Blake Hornsby, 37, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Mary Jane Ward, 64, of Quitman, Georgia. He remains in the Washington County Jail without bond.
On Wednesday, about 12:30 p.m., deputies got a call that folks in the 5000 block of Still Pond Road needed assistance. As deputies approached the front door, “they could hear crying coming from inside.”
A man later identified as Hornsby opened the door. He was “obviously distraught and very emotional,” according to a probable cause document. The defendant was crying and said, “She’s inside,” the sheriff’s office reported. Additionally, Hornsby had “open wounds bleeding and dripping blood on the floor.”
When deputies entered the property, they discovered an unconscious woman inside who was not breathing and had “severe bruising and dark marks on her neck.” ” Authorities attempted to provide medical help, “to no avail.” ” She was pronounced dead, having “suffered severe injuries on her neck consistent with being choked.”
Hornsby was once again the focus of attention.
“Deputies observed blood on Hornsby’s hands, with busted and cut knuckles.” “He also had visible scratch marks on his body, indicating a physical altercation,” the sheriff’s office stated.
According to the affidavit, he “stated they were attacked earlier in the day,” but getting further information out of him was tough. “He was very emotional and could not communicate,” according to the court filing.
Investigators spoke with neighbors and other family members, who stated that no one else had been present at the home around the time of the woman’s death but the suspect and victim. They investigated Hornsby further and discovered “deep scraps on the outside of his fingers” that looked like fingernail wounds.
Authorities stated that they told Hornsby his Miranda rights and then asked him what had happened.
According to the extensively redacted affidavit, Hornsby stated that he “usually protects” anything, but that he couldn’t today. Hornsby also allegedly told an investigator, “The robots made him do it but never explained what it was.”
Hornsby is now set to have a mental competency evaluation. He has an arraignment scheduled for September 8.
