Published: October 14, 2008 11:33 am      

Authorities need help tracking down suspected murderer

By Kelly Young

kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department reported Monday the man believed to have shot and killed a Tyler resident Sunday night in Cherokee County is still at-large in the area.

CCSD officials said they believe Stanley “Frog” Tilley Sr. of Jacksonville is responsible for the death of Toliver Thirkill, 29. District Judge Bascom Bentley III has issued a capital murder warrant for Tilley’s capture.

The crime occurred about 7 p.m. Sunday on County Road 3411, not far from the Killough Monument. Residents said they heard numerous gunshots and observed two vehicles fleeing from the area.

“The body of Mr. Thirkill was found in the middle of the road, and he was already dead when deputies arrived at the scene. It appears as though he was shot between two and five times in the upper chest and head. The shell casings indicate a 9 mm handgun or a similar weapon was used,” said Chief Investigator Chris White. “It appears to have been a robbery in which the suspect lured the victim out to that area under false pretenses and took an unknown amount of cash from him.”

According to White, at this time there is no known relationship between Thirkill and Tilley. He said witness statements obtained from local residents place Tilley at the scene during the shooting.

“We have a witness to the offense itself, and we also collected evidence at the scene that indicates Mr. Tilley is responsible. At this time there have been no other warrants issued, but information obtained indicates Mr. Tilley had at least one accomplice in the shooting,” he said. “We do anticipate other charges being filed — potentially capital murder charges — and we are continuing the investigation in an attempt to confirm the identity of any additional suspects in the case.”

Thirkill was pronounced dead at the scene by Judge James Morris, justice of the peace for Precinct 3. Thirkill’s body will be transported to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for autopsy.

Tilley is a 45-year-old black man, who stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds. He has multiple tattoos and is believed to currently have a shaved head. The vehicles seen fleeing the scene are believed to be a dark-colored Chevy Malibu and a light blue-colored Chevy Tahoe.

Investigators said they believe Tilley has remained in the East Texas area and is considered armed and dangerous. Any one with information concerning the shooting is encouraged to contact CCSD at 903-683-2271.

If found guilty of murder, a capital felony, he would face either life in prison or the death penalty.