Witness: Chain saw, body parts found in McKinney's house

The Latest Local News from the Cherokee County Herald

Cherokee County District Court Judge Wes Mobley on Thursday, April 30, denied a motion to reduce Murder Suspect Terry McKinney’s bond from the $1 million which is currently in place.

Robert Ray, McKinney’s state appointed defense attorney, argued during preliminary hearings held at the Etowah County Judicial Center that the bond was too high and unconstitutional.

The state argued that because of the heinous nature in which the crime was committed, the current bond was sufficient, according to reports.’

Josh Summerford, commander of the Cherokee County Major Crimes unit, testified that the victim in the case has been identified as Leroy Pete Foster of Cedar Bluff who was reported missing to local authories by family members March 27. Two days later, a citizen called 911 after their dog dragged several body parts onto their property and that is when the Major Crimes Unit became involved, Summerford said.

That following Monday, authorities obtained a warrant to search McKinney’s home on Rocky Ford Point Road in Cedar Bluff. Reports also indicated that the last time Foster was seen alive he was with McKinney.

When investigators searched the homey they found several items, including a metal pan, hand grabber, pants belonging to the victim which all contained blood and human tissue, the victim’s wallet and also a chainsaw along with several body parts found on the second floor of the home, according to Summerford’s testimony.

Investigators obtained video surveillance and a receipt from a store in Rome showing McKinney purchasing the saw, reports said.

Summerford also stated that while McKinney, 63, who is disabled, was in jail, investigators recovered human tissue and blood from his wheelchair, reports said.

When he was interviewed, McKinney admitted to cutting up the victim but said he did not kill him even though the crime took place in his home. The State Medical Examiner recovered what is believed to be a bullet from Foster’s shoulder, reports said.

Judge Mobley ruled that there was sufficient evidence for probable cause and has now bound the case over to the Cherokee County Grand Jury which will be assembled next month, reports said.

For now, McKinney remains in the Etowah County Detention Center.

Source: Cherokee County Herald

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