Sherry Cole’s husband and Jesse Allen’s grandfather, Bill Cole, was the suspect in their deaths.
That was the testimony this morning from DBI Special Agent Gerald Ray. Ray was the first to interview both Bill Cole and Jordan Allen, who now is on trial in Greene County Criminal Court in connection with the April 2022 murders.
Ray interviewed both during the early morning hours after the deaths late that past evening. Initially, Ray testified this morning he spoke to Jordan Allen for 17 minutes, then spent over an hour and 40 minutes talking to Bill Cole. The extra time spent with Cole was related to bloodstains on his clothing noticed by the investigator. After both interviews, Agent Ray returned to the murder scene on Old Snapp’s Ferry Road. After being notified that boots with what appeared to be bloodstains had been found in Jordan Allen’s bedroom, it was soon that Ray mirandized Jordan Allen and began interviewing him again in further detail. Jurors were listening to that interview before the lunch break today. Testimony resumed at 12:50 pm.
Earlier this morning, defense attorney and District Public Defender Todd Estep conducted cross examination with TBI forensics expert Kim Lowe. The majority of that cross was dealing with things that did not have Jordan Allen’s DNA, such as the hammer and the screwdriver found in his bedroom. Also she confirmed they did not find DNA on clothing or blood spatter in relation to the Ford Bronco, which was near where the bodies were found.
The defense opened the day with cross examination of Kim Lowe, who testified that blood found on the head of the hammer was that of the youngest victim, seven year old Jesse Allen.
It’s expected to be a long day here, probably more witnesses as well, the busiest day so far on day 3 of this double murder trial in Green County Criminal Court.
From the courthouse, I’m Bobby Rader, Radio Greenville News.
