Three jailed in Clarke crime spree

By By William F. West / community editor
March 22, 2003
QUITMAN Two men are scheduled to make appearances in Clarke County Justice Court Monday after being charged with multiple counts of attempted murder, arson and grand larceny in a series of crimes that began in late December.
A third man has also been charged with arson and grand larceny.
Sheriff Todd Kemp said the crime spree had residents in the eastern part of Clarke County frightened.
Kemp said David Gregory Crocker, 34, of 5549 County Road 150 in Stonewall, is being held on two counts of attempted murder resulting from a Dec. 29 fire that destroyed the house of Crocker's grandfather, W.L. Shirley.
The grandfather's house was on County Road 420 in the eastern part of the Clarke County.
Shirley and his daughter were in the house, but escaped.
Donnie R. Smith, 49, of 757 County Road 341 in Stonewall, is also being held on two counts of attempted murder in connection with the fire.
The sheriff said Crocker and Smith are also suspects in an apparent arson at Cedar Creek Church on County Road 656, where Shirley was pastor. The fire happened in early January.
Kemp also said Crocker and Smith are also being held for allegedly setting fire to a pair of buildings belonging to the Greasy Creek Hunting Club. He said he believes Crocker had an unspecified vendetta against the club and that Smith was an accomplice to the crime.
The fire at the hunting club happened in late January.
In addition to the attempted murder charges, Crocker and Smith are each being held on five counts of arson and four counts of grand larceny.
Kemp said his department is also holding Smith's 18-year-old son, Clifton R. Smith of 757 County Road 341 in Stonewall, on two counts of arson and four counts of grand larceny.
Kemp said all three men are suspects in the following crimes:
Stealing and vandalizing a log-removing machine in the Hopewell community belonging to Winstead Logging of Newton;
Stealing and setting fire to a dump truck belonging to Melvin Timber Resources of Melvin, Ala., and which was doing timber work in Clarke County; and
Stealing a motorcycle in Alabama and setting fire to it.
Kemp said the three men were arrested late Wednesday afternoon at their homes and are being held pending the outcome of the hearing in Clarke County Justice Court.
Kemp also said Clifton Smith could be charged with violating his parole after a 2001 burglary conviction in Clarke County.
The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury this summer.