FLINN INDICTED FOR GRUESOME DOUBLE MURDERS

(09/27/2005)
Elizabeth resident Roger Dean Flinn (pictured left) has been indicted for the shooting deaths of Russell Ray Eastham and Sylvia L. Fittro.

The double-murder case was an unusual crime for normally quiet Wirt County.

The couple's bodies were discovered in a rural area, both shot in the head.

A Wirt County grand jury is charging Flinn with two counts of first-degree murder. He is facing life in prison for each charge.

The grand jury also indicted Johnny Lee Patterson, 19 of Henderson WV on a charge of aggravated robbery. Patterson was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama on Sept. 11 in connection with the beating and robbery of an 82-year-old Wirt County man.

Police say Patterson and a 17-year-old girl allegedly stole guns and thousands of dollars from the elderly man. he is being held at North Central Regional Jail without bond.

In the Flinn case, police responded to a call regarding the discovery of a body along State Route 14 between Palestine and the Roane County Line. A bloody trail lead to Eastham's body in a ditch.

Russell Ray Eastham and Sylvia L. Fittro
Photos from The Accolade (the Roane County High School yearbook)

Authorities went to a nearby house where they found Fittro's body and a 10-month-old baby, which was not harmed.

Witnesses said Flinn and Eastham had a history of problems.

Daniel Neptune, Flinn's nephew, is among those testifying against Flinn. He reported he and Flinn were around the evening before and drinking. Neptune said he sold Flinn a handgun for $50.

The men stopped at Eastham and Fittro's residence, looking for beer.

Arriving at the rural residence, Flinn kicked in the door and assaulted Eastham and then shot him.

Flinn then went through the home looking for Fittro, shooting her.

After Flinn and Neptune left the scene, Neptune testified he took the gun from Flinn and threw it over the hillside. He later helped authorities retrieve the weapon.