Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Arrests on indictments returned by the Cocke County Grand Jury
A Cocke County Grand Jury has returned indictments naming two men on murder charges, and a third is charged with sexual offenses. Alfred Brooks, Jr, 45, Upper Bison Road, Newport is charged with First Degree murder in the killing of his girlfriend, Suzanne Renee Perez,52, on July 18. Brooks held law officers at bay for several hours after the shooting, necessitating the deployment of the Newport/Cocke County and Morristown SWAT teams. The subject was armed with several guns and said he planned to shoot law enforcement officers when they approached his residence. Sheriff Armondo Fontes said Brooks had wanted a 'suicide by cop' encounter, however after the SWAT teams arrived Brooks calmed down and surrendered peacefully. The female victim was found with an apparent single gun shot to the face, covered with a blanket. At the scene Brooks gave a statement to Cocke County Detective Lt. Robert Thornton in which he said, he and Perez had been drinking and she was shot following an exchange of words. On Tuesday, Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes said the family of Perez still has not been located and have not been notified of her death. He is asking the public for assistance in locating her next of kin. The sheriff said the victim, who's maiden name was Parker, is white, 5'8" tall, with hazel eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information regarding Perez should contact Detective Lt. Robert Thornton at 423-623-3064. Also indicted is, Harold Lee Ebbs, 50, Neddy Mountain Road, Del Rio. He is charged with Second Degree murder in the death of his roommate, James Herbert Layman, 51, on May 11. According to the warrant in the case, the two men argued over knives, and the victim allegedly pulled a knife on Ebbs threatening to kill him if he didn't return his knives. Later outside the home, Ebbs allegedly picked up a shovel and struck Layman several times. And as Layman lay on the ground, the defendant allegedly took a box cutter from the victim's pocket, opened it and tossed it near where Layman lay. Ebbs fled the area and was arrested in Fitzgerald, Georgia, in June. The grand jury also returned a sealed presentment naming Edward Wyse, 42, Buda Road, Newport. He is charged with two counts each of rape ad incest. The defendant was taken into custody by Newport Patrol Officer Jordan Douglas while he was in the courthouse for a juvenile hearing, and his bond was set at $30,000. Newport Detective Derrick Webb prosecuted the case.


Return to Today's News Stories - Front Page

Thursday, April 29, 2021

  • US 411 Project News
  • Mill Creek Wildfire Update
  • More Bad News For Smokies' Fans

    Wednesday, April 28, 2021

  • Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
  • Goodbye Smokies?
  • Keep Cocke County Beautiful
  • Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!

    Tuesday, April 27, 2021

  • The fireflies are coming!
  • Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
  • Gas prices drop
  • Tennessee keeps all US House seats

    Monday, April 26, 2021

  • Boat accident victim ID'd
  • Traffic stop yields drug arrest
  • Cocke County Wildfires

    Friday, April 23, 2021

  • Leaving WNPC
  • Mathis announces candidacy
  • Newport drug roundup
  • Cruise Against Cancer
  • Jobless numbers