Brian Betts
''Joel Johnson, 19, has been charged with first-degree murder, one count of armed robbery, three counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and three counts of armed robbery.''
From WTOP's news report that a fourth teenager, Joel Johnson, 19, has been arrested in the shocking murder of Brian Betts of Silver Spring, MD, who was also the principal of a U Street area middle school. According to reports, Betts, 42, had called an adult phone chat line and apparently made contact with the suspects. In addition to Johnson, three 18-year-olds are also charged with robbery and murder -- Alante Saunders, Sharif Tau> LancasterDeontra Q. Gray. The police made the connection by tracing charges to credit card of the murder victim. Those purchases were made by Lancaster's 46-year-old mother, Arutra Otey Owens. (WTOP)
''We still believe the motive for this whole thing was robbery.... When you encounter people on chat lines, you need to be cautious when you meet them.''
Patricia Walker of the Montgomery County Police offering a reminder to gay men and others who use anonymous hook-up lines to take care when making contact. Details of the connection between Brian Betts and the men have not yet been reported. But police are saying several of them were at the Silver Spring, MD home of the school principal when he was shot to death a month ago, April 15, 2010. (Washington Post)
