Georgia Cracker Barrel evidence leads to 1985 Ohio murder charges
11 reported
Items found behind a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Georgia in 1985 have led to charges against a suspect in an Ohio killing from that time, according to investigators. The case involves the murder of traveling salesman John Warren, who was discovered dead in his hotel room in Middletown, Ohio, on 17 October 1985. Authorities said modern forensic testing on evidence collected decades earlier helped close the cold case. The suspect, 62-year-old Randy McAllister of Columbus, Ohio, was indicted on murder and aggravated murder charges and pleaded not guilty. An alleged accomplice is now dead, according to the prosecutor. McAllister’s bail was set at $500,000 after a judge cited prior convictions.
What’s reported
John Warren, of Dalton, Georgia, was found dead in his Holiday Inn room in Middletown, Ohio, on 17 October 1985.
His 1985 Oldsmobile and other belongings were stolen.
Some of Warren’s property and “other relevant items” were found behind a Cracker Barrel in Dalton, Georgia, within days.
Warren’s car was located in Redington Beach, Florida.
The sheriff’s office re-examined the murder in 2019, submitting items from the hotel room, car, and Cracker Barrel for crime lab analysis.
The analysis led to Randy McAllister, 62, as a suspect; an alleged accomplice is now dead.
A grand jury indicted McAllister on murder and aggravated murder charges in late June.
McAllister was jailed on 1 July and pleaded not guilty at arraignment on Tuesday.
An assistant prosecutor said Warren was fatally strangled and beaten before his property was stolen.
Judge Robert Peeler set bail at $500,000 after hearing of McAllister’s prior convictions for aggravated robbery and felonious assault in 1985 and 1992.
Under Ohio law, McAllister faces life imprisonment if convicted of aggravated murder.
Key figures
John Warren: victim, traveling salesman from Dalton, Georgia.
David Fornshell: local county prosecutor in Middletown, Ohio.
Randy McAllister: suspect, 62, of Columbus, Ohio.
Judge Robert Peeler: set bail at arraignment.
Sources: The Guardian
