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Back on Feb 5 of 2010 Danielle Brown left her home on Springhill Road around 8:30 p.m. and that was, allegedly, the last known time anyone, other than her passenger, has seen her. Danielle’s passenger was Elijah James, III and she was headed to take him to his mother’s house on King’s Post Way. We know she was still with Elijah later the same night because around 11:35 p.m. she spoke with a friend on her cell phone and told the friend that she was going to Apalachee Parkway to meet a friend after she took Elijah to his mother’s house. According to reports Elijah and Danielle were in a heated argument during that call and Danielle’s phone went dead. Subsequent calls were unanswered.
The police discovered several items belonging to Danielle on the grounds of his mother’s house so can assume Elijah James was there that Friday night or early Saturday morning. Whether Danielle was with Elijah at the time the items came to be there is unknown. What we know is that Mr. James was seen in possession of Danielle’s Buick in Wacissa and Waukeenah of Jefferson Co. between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. on February 6. Also around 5:30 a.m. that Saturday morning Elijah and another man were at a Circle K store and Elijah was driving Danielle’s car. She wasn’t seen by anyone and wasn’t seen on the security camera video inside the car or store. The men purchased a case of beer. (I so want to say something caustic here, but will refrain) Elijah also made a trip to his sister’s home the morning of Feb 6 around 8:45 a.m. and allegedly stayed there until 11:30 p.m.. He allegedly slept. (I guess his alleged actions of Feb 5 and the wee morning hours of Feb 6 was very tiring for him.)
On Feb 7, the day Danielle’s family reported her missing, Elijah spent several hours at another sister’s home in Pavo, GA. The second sister’s home, according to LE records, is the address on police files in reference to his criminal background. Also of importance is that Elijah was seen on Feb 7, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Monticello, and was later seen walking away from the city dump in Pavo, Thomas County, GA where Danielle’s car was discovered burned. They arrested Elijah for auto theft and later Thomas County GA police charged him with torching her car. He sits in the jail there awaiting the trial scheduled for September 27, 2010.
Leon County, Florida police and Sheriff Larry Campbell were determined in their efforts to find Danielle, and, with the help of other police departments, searched for her in Florida and Georgia for several weeks. However, sadly she wasn’t found. They later changed their investigative efforts from a search for a missing person to a homicide investigation. During the investigations her cell phone was found on the side of a road, as was two pieces of her driver’s license.
The good thing is due to the Leon County Florida police department, and Sheriff Larry Campbell plus the DA’s office dogged determination with their evidence gathering a grand jury was convened this month. The grand jury heard all the relevant evidence and testimony from numerous witnesses and brought back a true bill.
They charged Elijah James with robbery and first degree murder of Danielle T. Brown.
I am so thankful to Leon County Florida police, Thomas County, GA police and all the other police departments that assisted in the searches and investigation of Danielle’s case. Due to all their incredible efforts justice may happen for her.
To read more on Danielle’s case check out my other post and the files below.
http://tigresspenssurmisals.blogspot.com/2010/03/disappearance-of-danielle-t-brown.html
http://www.tallahassee.com/assets/pdf/CD151827212.PDF
http://www.leoncountyso.com/news.asp
If James has a conscience and is guilty of killing her then maybe he will agree to tell them where Danielle's body is.
ReplyDeleteAs the National Day of Rememberance approaches, I have Danielle on my mind. I am praying Leon CO., FL waste no time in taking him to trial for Danielle's murder. But, more importantly, I am praying her body will be found so her family can find peace in knowing where she is, so she can be given a decent burial and they will have a place they can go and talk to her. She will always be remembered in their heart and mind. And she will always be remembered by me also.
ReplyDeleteJustice for Danielle on any level is still on hold since the arson trial was apparently postponed due to witnesses being unavailable. But, I have faith in Leon County's Sheriff Campbell and the DAs Office. Elijah James' day in court will take place for her murder eventually. If he is guilty, then he doesn't deserve freedom.
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I think about Danielle often Hopefully the New Year will bring positive results with her body being located.
ReplyDeleteDanielle deserves justice.
My 31 year old cousin Julie Ann Samuels was murdered in Quitman, GA on Thanksgiving day by her ex-boy friend Fred Ghee. I can't understand why these punk ass men could kill a women who they so called loved. Now my two cousins ages 16 and 11 have to live without their mother because this punk couldn't handle rejection. I hope Danielle's body is found and her family can be @ piece. My family is still really hurt and torn by this but we are all in this together.
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that as the 1st year anniversary draws near, ELijah James will go to trial in Ga for torching Danielle's car and grand theft auto. His trial date for the arson trial is Jan.31 2011. After that trial is over he will be brought back to Leon Co., Fl to be held until his murder trial. No date for the first degree murder trial has been set at this time that I've found.
ReplyDeleteSadly, unless her body is found between now and the murder trial, Assistant State Attorney Jack Campbell will prosecute James without evidence of how she died and where her body was located being heard.
I believe they have enough circumstantial evidence to have a guilty verdict brought back from jurors. I pray so anyway, because I truly believe, due to all I read and heard, Elijah James killed Danielle the night of Feb 5 or in the early hours Feb 6 in 2010.
Anonymous, I am so very sorry for the loss of your cousin. I read she was shot several times by Gee and that Julie also had a restraining order out on him. So thrilled he is in jail under no bond.
ReplyDeleteIntimate partner violence is so incredibly horrific. Sadly many of the DV incidents end in murder. Restraining orders do little to protect the victim when the abuser is determined.
Anonymous, I was checking this post comments and realized I may have given the impression that I think restraining orders are a waste of time and effort. They definitely are not a waste. They're actually a necessary process with protecting oneself. I highly recommend purchasing a copy of: ‘Time’s Up’- A Guide How to Escape Abusive and Stalking Relationships for anyone who are or know someone who is being abused. I wish Julie had known of the book. She'd have had a plethora of information at hand with how to protect herself.
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Time is nearing for Elijah James's arson trial. I personally feel he is not only guilty of torching her car, disposing of her cell phone and drivers license, but also of killing Danielle and disposing of her body. I just keep praying she will be found soon- before the murder trial.
ReplyDeleteThe arson trial has heated up the past couple days. James is telling a tale that I don't believe. He now claims he was picked up by 2 men the night Danielle disappeared while he was walking to Pavo. The 3 drank and he passed out in the vehicle. Earlier on he claims a white man, 'Chuck', had picked him up. The defense is spinning more tall tales too. They say a witness saw 2 men in Danielle's car and neither man was Elijah James. They claim Danielle's car could've been stolen and torched by other person(s). They claim he uses chainsaws and gasoline in his work and that the chainsaw was still in it's box unused. I know gloves, chainsaws and gas for chainsaw are needed for tree jobs but not glass cleaner. And did he have a job scheduled for that day or the next?
ReplyDeleteWe now know why Leon Co., is able to charge James with 1st degree murder. Danielle's blood was found in her car and Elijah James DNA was found on a nozzle in the car. James allegeldy used Dnaielle's car and went to a store and purchased gloves, glass cleaner, shovel, gas can, garbage bags, and a chainsaw. The Circle K store video clearly shows James and his cousin at 5:30am and doesn't show Danielle. The two purchased beer and cigs. Gasoline was discovered on clothing discovered at James' home. And of course, they discovered Danielle's cell phone on side of road plus part of her DL was found.
Danielle and her family are on my mind and in my prayers today and have been since this arson trial began. Hopefully today the jury will get the case and bring back a guilty verdict.
A very intersting piece of evidence came out this morning in the arson trial of Elijah James. Danielle's blood was discovered in the interior of her car and in the trunk. That makes me wonder if perhaps she actually was murdered on King's Post Way that fateful night. I have felt it was probable since I first read of her disappearance and the information surrounding the search for her body.
ReplyDeleteThe state rested its case before lunch today. Defense starts their case but apparently Elijah James won't be testifying in his own behalf. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, we will have a verdict and it will be one that starts the Justice for Danielle.
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Good news! Elijah James was found Guilty of arson and grand theft auto. Those verdicts can keep him in prison many years.
ReplyDeleteJames was sentenced today also. 20 years in prison. And more great news is that Leon Co. is going to start paperwork for extradicting James back to Leon Co. to stand trial for murder.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for Danielle's family and for Danielle also. I sure exhaled a big sigh of relief when hearing of the guilty verdicts.
Elijah James is now at the Leon County jail awaiting trial for Danielle's murder and robbery. Justice for Danielle has been slow and will be slow going before the actual murder trial starts, but steps were taken in GA and thankfully the Leon Co., Fl. climb has started.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments on my cousin Julie Samuels. Fred's trial starts this coming Monday on the 28th of February. If you can follow that story and give updates if possible. Thank You
ReplyDeleteI haven't discovered anything connected to Ghee's trial beginning today. It's only been 3 months since the murder and his being charged, are you sure it wasn't an indictment hearing today?
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Leon County Pros Jack Campbell has said they are seeking the death penalty in this case. I approve! If he feels the case is strong enough to support a guilty verdict then so do I. I do and have since the beginning felt Danielle's disappearance was at the hands of Elijah James and still do. Nothing supports her being alive and leaving on her own that fateful night. The fact that he hasn't shown any remorse tells me he isn't concerned about Danielle's family and their grief. Where is she? If he would lead LE to her body then it would show he does have a small shred of guilt inside his heart, LWOP would be sufficient.
ReplyDeleteElijah James trial is set for May 7, 2012. Hopefully, justice for Danielle will prevail
ReplyDeleteStill praying for Danielle to have justice. And for her body to be discovered...
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Trial date for Elijah has been moved to Oct 22 2012. Allegedly the judge has set aside 2 weeks for the trial.
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Did the trial take place? Danielle was dear to me for years.she was lost long before she was killed bc of her dealings w jr. I have been sad for so long. I no longer speak to maternal side and would love an update.
ReplyDeleteNo Anonymous no trial yet it has reset for Jan 2013. Hopefully justice will come for Danielle.
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