A woman who police said may have been a witness to the slaying an 80-year-old woman arrived at police headquarters for questioning Wednesday afternoon.
Early Wednesday, police released several surveillance pictures from a Southside Wal-Mart that show the potential witness with John Middleton, a suspect in the death of Virginia Harritt.
Harritt's son found his mother's body in her Mandarin apartment last week after he had not heard from her in a while.
Middleton was a maintenance worker at the Woodlake Park Apartments at San Jose Boulevard and Sunbeam Road, where Harritt had recently moved. As a maintenance worker, Middleton was trusted with keys to every apartment in the complex.
While Middleton made several ATM withdraws around town, according to police, the photos from the Wal-Mart on Beach Street and Southside Boulevard are the only images that show a woman with the suspect.
Police said the possible witness and Middleton used Harritt's bank card at the Wal-Mart.
Investigators said the motive in Harritt's slaying was to get the woman's ATM information.
Police have not released the name of the woman seen with Middleton. They said she went to the police headquarters on her own accord even though a police cruiser brought her to the station.
"We believe her to be a witness to this horrific incident. As you can see in the picture, she is there with Middleton. This is right after an ATM transaction using the victim's ATM card," said JSO spokesperson Ken Jefferson.
Middleton turned himself in Saturday and is charged with home-invasion robbery and murder. No charges have been filed against the woman.
"We're considering her as a witness," Jefferson said.
Early Wednesday, police released several surveillance pictures from a Southside Wal-Mart that show the potential witness with John Middleton, a suspect in the death of Virginia Harritt.
Harritt's son found his mother's body in her Mandarin apartment last week after he had not heard from her in a while.
Middleton was a maintenance worker at the Woodlake Park Apartments at San Jose Boulevard and Sunbeam Road, where Harritt had recently moved. As a maintenance worker, Middleton was trusted with keys to every apartment in the complex.
While Middleton made several ATM withdraws around town, according to police, the photos from the Wal-Mart on Beach Street and Southside Boulevard are the only images that show a woman with the suspect.
Police said the possible witness and Middleton used Harritt's bank card at the Wal-Mart.
Investigators said the motive in Harritt's slaying was to get the woman's ATM information.
Police have not released the name of the woman seen with Middleton. They said she went to the police headquarters on her own accord even though a police cruiser brought her to the station.
"We believe her to be a witness to this horrific incident. As you can see in the picture, she is there with Middleton. This is right after an ATM transaction using the victim's ATM card," said JSO spokesperson Ken Jefferson.
Middleton turned himself in Saturday and is charged with home-invasion robbery and murder. No charges have been filed against the woman.
"We're considering her as a witness," Jefferson said.
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Jacksonville police say a man, suspected of killing an 80-year-old woman is in jail. Police say 25-year-old John Middleton turned himself in.
Cops had been searching for him since they found Virginia Harritt's body inside her Mandarin apartment, Wednesday night.
Sunday, her son went back inside the apartment for the first time, since her death.
Paul Harritt says it's a small victory knowing Middleton is behind bars now.
Middleton worked as a maintenance man at the appartment complex Harritt helped his mother move into earlier this month. That's also where Middleton lived. Police say the motive for the murder was robbery.
Harritt knew what he was walking into as he made his first step back into his mother's apartment.
"Hell. Because I have to relive the night that I walked into that apartment," said Harritt, Virginia's son.
"Mrs. Harritt was found with telephone cord and duct tape bound around her ankles, wrists, and duct tape covering her mouth," said Lt. Pat Ivey, with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Harritt says since the day his mother's body was found, he has grown close to some of the officers.
"They're the world to us. They've supported us throughout this whole ordeal," said Harritt.
Harritt says his mother, only moved there two weeks ago.
"She was assured it was safe. That everything around here was safe. Safe was the key word, it was safe. It's not," said Harritt.
He says she was excited because she could pick up an old love of hers.
"She could start up her painting again, she loved her painting, she was a wonderful painter. She just had so much life left in her. It's not fair, it's not natural. She'll be deeply missed," said Harritt.
Missed mostly, of course, by her family.
"She's done a lot of things for a lot of people. Me. She's done a lot for me," said Harritt.
Harritt says he would only ask Middleton one thing.
"Why?
Cops had been searching for him since they found Virginia Harritt's body inside her Mandarin apartment, Wednesday night.
Sunday, her son went back inside the apartment for the first time, since her death.
Paul Harritt says it's a small victory knowing Middleton is behind bars now.
Middleton worked as a maintenance man at the appartment complex Harritt helped his mother move into earlier this month. That's also where Middleton lived. Police say the motive for the murder was robbery.
Harritt knew what he was walking into as he made his first step back into his mother's apartment.
"Hell. Because I have to relive the night that I walked into that apartment," said Harritt, Virginia's son.
"Mrs. Harritt was found with telephone cord and duct tape bound around her ankles, wrists, and duct tape covering her mouth," said Lt. Pat Ivey, with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Harritt says since the day his mother's body was found, he has grown close to some of the officers.
"They're the world to us. They've supported us throughout this whole ordeal," said Harritt.
Harritt says his mother, only moved there two weeks ago.
"She was assured it was safe. That everything around here was safe. Safe was the key word, it was safe. It's not," said Harritt.
He says she was excited because she could pick up an old love of hers.
"She could start up her painting again, she loved her painting, she was a wonderful painter. She just had so much life left in her. It's not fair, it's not natural. She'll be deeply missed," said Harritt.
Missed mostly, of course, by her family.
"She's done a lot of things for a lot of people. Me. She's done a lot for me," said Harritt.
Harritt says he would only ask Middleton one thing.
"Why?
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