Correspondent

A murder case dating back to 1992 was revisited during the current session of criminal court on Monday, Aug. 22.

A law on the Tennessee books was the catalyst for allowing two Claiborne County men to have their initial sentences set aside and new trials heard. However, both men chose a second time to reach a plea agreement with the state, and were successful in dramatically reducing their initial sentences.

David Goins and Robert Bolden pled guilty in May 1993 to the stabbing death of George Michael Brogan, then a resident of the Caney Valley community of Claiborne County.

Goins, 45, pled guilty a second time last Monday to second degree murder and robbery and received a reduced sentence of 27 and one-half years, a reduction of 22 years from his original sentence of 50 years in prison. (Goins was then given credit for 13 years already served.)

Bolden was successful earlier this year in having his original plea agreement set aside, prompting Goins to attempt the same. Bolden's latest plea agreement effectively reduced his sentence to 25 years in prison.

Goins committed aggravated assault in the early 1990s while out on bail awaiting his trial for the murder and aggravated robbery of George Michael Brogan. The two separate cases were combined during the initial plea agreement and sentencing for both crimes was ordered to run concurrently (together). However, the law dictates that, because the second crime (while Goins was out on bail) was combined with the murder and robbery charges, his sentence was to have run consecutively (end to end).

Brogan was found dead inside his mobile home by a neighbor during the morning hours of February 19, 1992.

Then chief criminal investigator Kelly Anders testified during the preliminary hearing he saw Brogan's body lying in a fetal position, partially blocking the entrance door to the deceased's mobile home, according to a report filed by a Progress correspondent in March 1992.

Anders said he believed the body to be lying in the spot where Brogan was killed, according to the report.

Several wounds were visible on the body, in particular a stab wound to the neck along with a slash wound across the throat of the victim, the report quoted Anders as saying.

"Another stab wound was also visible in the chest area and a large deep cut to the abdominal area, running vertically, that was made by a sharp instrument. Other wounds were obscured by dried and clotted blood and were found later by an autopsy," the report continued.

Anders told the court a television was found missing, along with the victim's wallet. The telephone cord had been cut and several objects inside the trailer were broken, according to the initial newspaper report.

During his preliminary testimony, Anders told the court he learned that threats had been made against Brogan by Goins in connection with an incident that apparently happened earlier that month. Further investigation led to the determine that Goins and Bolden were prime suspects in the murder.

A teletype message from the Wood County (Ohio) Sheriff's Department was sent later that evening (Feb. 19, 1992) requesting information about Bolden and Goins (Goins had been arrested in Wood County, Ohio, on a charge of driving under the influence).

When Anders and then chief deputy Steve Bryant arrived in Wood County, Ohio, Anders testified they conducted an examination of the property seized from Bolden and Goins at the time of the arrest. Among the items were Social Security and Medicare cards bearing Brogan's name.

Two knives, a steak knife with a wooden handle and a white double-bladed knife, were also taken from Bolden at the time of his arrest. Both showed signs of what Anders claimed to be blood stains. (The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab later confirmed his suspiscion).

The sheriff's department investigation concluded that more than one knife had been used in the murder, according to Anders.

Testimony from Sheila Ramsey during the original preliminary hearing revealed a late night call from Goins. Ramsey claimed she was asked by Goins to come pick up the two men at the Brogan residence.

Ramsey testified she saw Goins carrying a stick in one hand and a beer in the other while approaching her van. When he opened the door, she claimed she saw what appeared to be blood on Goins' hand. Ramsey then testified that Goins placed a television inside her van and asked her to drive the two men to Goins' vehicle.

At one point, Ramsey claimed she asked the men what they were doing at the Brogan home, to which Goins replied, "settling old scores."

Brogan was 34 at the time of his death.