News

GRAND JURY INDICTS STROUPE FOR MURDER

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 22, 2017

A Henderson County grand jury indicted Phillip Michael Stroupe II for first degree murder on Monday in the death of Thomas Andrew Bryson, 68, of Mills River on July 26, District Attorney Greg Newman announced.

Stroupe, 39, was also indicted on charges of robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and First Degree Kidnapping. His father, Phillip Michael Stroupe, Sr., was indicted on a charge of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder and remains in the Henderson County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Both men are scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Hendersonville on Monday, Oct. 9. They will be advised of these charges and their attorney status will also be discussed."

"This is the first step of a lengthy process," Newman said. "I met with Mrs. Bryson and one of her sons and explained to them that the legal process requires endurance and we have a considerable amount of work ahead of us just to get this case to trial. On the 9th of October, we hope to hold a conference with Judge Powell whereby I will announce the grounds that I believe exist to pursue the death penalty upon a conviction of the murder charge. We will also discuss the defendant’s legal representation. North Carolina law permits two court appointed lawyers in a case where a crime is punishable by death.”

Mr. Newman added: “ The investigation in this case is still being conducted. Though Stroupe II is charged, he is not yet convicted. There remains much to be done in bringing him to justice. Members of my office, in conjunction with numerous sheriff’s departments and the NC State Bureau of Investigation, continue to diligently work to obtain evidence in these cases.”

In addition to the newly indicted charges in Henderson County, Stroupe II faces multiple felony charges in Transylvania, Madison, Yancey and McDowell counties.