East Ridge: Man charged with murder in 70-year-old woman’s death

A man already accused of stealing a dead woman’s credit cards was charged today with first-degree murder in the 70-year-old’s death.

Randall Reed, 43, also was charged with especially aggravated robbery in connection with death of East Ridge’s Jane Stokes on June 15.

Reed had been charged with theft under $500 and was served with the additional warrants today at 5 p.m. when he appeared East Ridge Municipal Court on the previous charge.

He is being held without bond and is scheduled to reappear in East Ridge court on July 5.

Reed, who has a lengthy criminal record, including forgery and theft cases, is accused of using Stokes’ credit cards an hour and 45 minutes after her death, according to East Ridge police.

Stokes, who lived in a small house at 707 Hardin Drive, suffocated to death after an assailant secured a plastic bag around her head and bound her hands behind her back.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.

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