LOUISIANA STATE POLICE
COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE
Colonel Michael D. Edmonson, Superintendent
News Release October 30, 2008 LSP Trooper Testifies to Help Convict One of America's Most Wanted
On December 7, 2004, Louisiana State Police Troop F Trooper Michael Linton apprehended Tobias "Toby" Lee after a brief vehicle pursuit. It started when Trooper Linton attempted to stop a 2000 Dodge Neon with a Georgia license plate for following too close. Trooper Linton initiated a pursuit after Lee, who was driving the Dodge, failed to stop for his emergency lights. Trooper Linton pursued Lee through the city limits of West Monroe and into Monroe across the Endom Bridge before Lee hit another vehicle and the pursuit ended. Lee was taken into custody and booked at the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center on various charges.
During the investigation, it was learned that Lee had been featured on the television program, "America's Most Wanted" on December 4, 2004 after a crime spree in South Carolina and Georgia. Lee was wanted out of those two states for two counts of murder, rape and armed robbery.
Lee was subsequently extradited to South Carolina to face murder and armed robbery charges.
On October 28, 2008, Lee's trial for the murder of Mr. James Hammond (74 year old) of Columbia, SC began in the Richland County 5th Circuit Court in Columbia, SC. Trooper Linton testified in the trial which was held in front of a twelve member jury and lasted three days. After all the evidence was presented to the jury, they deliberated for only twenty-four minutes before finding Lee guilty of Murder and Armed Robbery. Judge Newman immediately sentenced Lee to the maximum penalty of mandatory life in prison plus thirty years.
Lee was remanded to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, but still faces murder and rape charges in Eastpoint and Columbus, GA. For More Information, Contact:
Trooper Mark Dennis
Louisiana State Police
Troop F Public Affairs
Office: (318) 345-2810
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