Crossbow killing court hearing set for Marshall man in 2021 death of teenager

Joel Burgess, Asheville Citizen Times
·2 min read
Cody Jonathan Garrett was shot and killed with a crossbow on Upper Brush Creek Road near Madison Middle School, according to sheriff's deputies.
Cody Jonathan Garrett was shot and killed with a crossbow on Upper Brush Creek Road near Madison Middle School, according to sheriff's deputies.

MARHSALL - The next hearing for a 52-year-old man charged with slaying a 19-year-old with a crossbow has been set for Sept. 8.

Richard Eugene Towe Sr. of Marshall is being held in the Madison County Jail under no bond after being charged with the Sept. 22, 2021 killing of Cody Jonathan Garrett using a crossbow.

Judge Gregory R. Hayes set the new hearing date during a July 20 session of Madison County Superior Court. Towe's attorney, Jim Rice, said he and prosecutors are working through pre-trial issues, such as discovery and "are getting to a point where we might resolve it."

It is unclear yet whether that would be through a trial or plea deal.

No motive has been discussed in the alleged murder. In a December 2021 interview, Garrett's grandfather Daniel Garrett expressed frustration that he knew little about the case. At the time, Sheriff Buddy Harwood said he referred questions to the office of District Attorney Seth Banks, who said he could not comment because the investigation was ongoing. Daniel Garrett, who raised his grandson along with his late wife Clementine, said he "knew of" Towe but didn't know him well. Harwood has said Towe and Cody Garrett knew each other.

Family and friends reflect on the life of Cody Garrett, 19, who was shot and killed with a crossbow last month in Marshall.
Family and friends reflect on the life of Cody Garrett, 19, who was shot and killed with a crossbow last month in Marshall.

The Citizen Times reached out to Daniel Garrett July 20.

Among the few details released was that Cody Garrett was shot with the weapon on Upper Brush Creek Road near Madison Middle School. That is less than four miles south of his address, listed as the same as his grandfather's.

Garrett was a 2020 graduate of Madison High School. He was the son of Scotty Garrett and Martha Norton, whom he left behind along with a brother and sister and many other relatives, according to his obituary. Friends remembered him as a great basketball player and someone who loved hunting, fishing and camping.

More: Family, friends reflect on Cody Garrett, 19-year-old Marshall man killed with crossbow

Crossbow, barn homicide cases in Madison County get new court dates

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. 

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Crossbow killing hearing set in 2021 Madison County death