Alleged ‘Shopping Cart Killer’ seems in court docket

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – The alleged “Shopping Cart Killer” appeared in Harrisonburg-Rockingham Typical District Courtroom Monday, Sept. 12.

Anthony Robinson is billed with two counts of initial-diploma murder and felony concealing a useless body. Robinson has been dubbed the “shopping cart killer” by legislation enforcement following he was accused of transporting his victims by a procuring cart.

Robinson appeared in court in order for a choose to choose if there is sufficient proof for him to deal with demo for the 4 fees. Robinson is charged in the murders of Tonita Smith and Beth Redmon.

Sgt. Brooke Wetherell testified Monday as an investigator in the scenario.

Wetherell explained investigators think Robinson was staying at the Howard Johnson hotel. The courtroom reviewed security digicam footage of every single lady, on separate instances about a month apart, coming into Robinson’s home at the lodge.

Each times, he at some point leaves pulling a searching cart with a thing inside it. Investigators say the purchasing carts contained the women’s stays.

Redmon was past witnessed on Oct. 24, 2021, Wetherell reported, and at the time of her disappearance, investigators didn’t know the place to appear.

Smith was final seen in mid-November, and investigators had been capable to test mobile phone documents and see she’d been in and all around Howard Johnson. It is at that stage investigators identified both Smith and Redmon wrapped in bedsheets alongside the tree line off Linda Lane. The girls have been about 15 ft. apart from each and every other, Wetherell claimed.

Investigators uncovered a procuring cart in the parking whole lot.

Smith was nude from the waistline down with her top and bra pulled up and ties all-around her ankles and wrists. The courtroom also considered a picture from protection digital camera footage at Walmart from Oct. 22, in which Robinson was getting black yarn that matched what was on Smith.

Redmon was uncovered to be in an “advanced condition of decomposition,” according to the professional medical examiner, and she was completely nude.

Wetherell mentioned, upon investigation into the space Robinson stayed in, there was blood located on the bed, along with Smith’s cell phone, apparel, and ID.

All through Redmon’s autopsy, meth was discovered in her procedure, but the medical examiner does not believe the compound caused her loss of life. However, because of the loss of tissue all around her head and neck, they weren’t equipped to establish a selected induce.

The health care examiner’s business was not ready to ascertain an precise lead to of demise for either girl but stated the bring about of loss of life as homicidal violence.

Robinson advised investigators for the duration of initial questioning he’d achieved the ladies on dating apps or web pages, and he instructed them equally gals experienced taken a white pill and overdosed. He claimed he’d woken up to find them useless.

Upon looking Robinson’s cellphone record, investigators located above 12,000 pornography URLs accessed from about August right until November. Specific films — particularly kinds accessed specifically right after the women’s fatalities — had been introduced up Monday in courtroom, given that the titles explained women who resemble the two victims.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Marsha Garst described Smith and Redmon’s deaths as sado-sexual.

The protection legal professional requested Wetherell about an additional lady witnessed coming into and exiting Robinson’s home at the hotel, which was concerning the two women’s disappearances, on Nov. 10.

The judge did certify all four expenses, declaring there was potent circumstantial proof of pre-meditation. Due to the fact the women of all ages are found nude in proof, the documents will be sealed.

On Sept. 19 the circumstance will go in front of a grand jury.

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