Photo Dekalb PD/J. Tolbertby Alicia Cruz
Editor-in-Chief
The Black Urban Times
Georgia police have arrested a man wanted in connection with the December 2009 home-invasion murder and stabbing of a Knoxville, Tennessee couple.
Joseph Tolbert III, 34, of Knoxville was arrested January 20 in DeKalb County, Georgia and is being held in the Dekalb County jail on a fugitive from justice warrant while he awaits extradition back to Tennessee where he will be charged with felony murder and attempted felony murder.
Tolbert is accused of the Dec. 28, 2009 shooting and stabbing death of Michael Cowan, age 24, and the stabbing of Cowan's girlfriend, Brittany Davis, age 22.
The couple were in their Vista Glen Way apartment in West Knoxville, Tennessee when Tolbert, who police say was acquainted with Cowan, viciously attacked the couple sometime around 4:30AM.
After stabbing Cowan once with a steak knife, Tolbert shot him several times before turning his merciless rampage on Davis, who miraculously survived multiple stab wounds and managed to dial 911.
The apartment bore signs of a struggle and police recovered six shell casings from a .22-caliber pistol inside of the home. Cowan was found dead on the living room floor with the steak knife protruding from his neck.
Knoxville police detective Nevin Long said robbery appeared to be the motive for the bloody attack and murder of Cowan who police described as a mid-level drug dealer.
Court records for Cowan show arrests for two misdemeanor drug possession but nothing major.
After the murder and assault, police executed a search warrant on Cowan and Davis' apartment where they found $2,400 in the apartment and $1,600 on Cowan's body.
In addition to money, police documents show that a set of digital scales, marijuana and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with ammunition were found. Police believe Tolbert left the cash, marijuana and rifle behind after he committed the murder and assault.
Cowan and Davis have a child together who was not present the night of the murder.
Knoxville police spokesman Darrell Debusk said Tolbert's bond will be set at $500,000 when he is returned to Tennessee.
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