Randall Kenneth ReedA man accused in the death of a 70-year-old East Ridge woman in June will appear in Hamilton County Criminal Court on Friday after a grand jury indicted him on theft charges.
Randall Reed, 43, is the chief suspect in the June 15 death of Jane Stokes, who was found suffocated to death in her home, police said. He is accused of using Stokes' debit card to withdraw cash from at least three ATMs within hours of her death.
He told authorities that he used the cards after getting them from a drug dealer and denies killing Stokes.
On Monday, the Hamilton County grand jury indicted him on three counts of theft and three counts of fraudulent debit card. He also was indicted for violating the probation he was serving for previous charges.
Reed has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the theft and fraud, but the grand jury had not indicted him on those charges as of Monday evening.
Reed, who pleaded guilty last April to setting his apartment on fire, was serving a four-year probation sentence, court records show.
Reed is expected to appear before Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern for his arraignment on Friday. He will be represented by Blake Murchison, Hamilton County assistant district public defender.
Reed is being held without bond at the Hamilton County Jail.
Contact staff writer Kate Harrison at kharrison@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.