FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A 30-year-old man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Major and Claudette Melvin, an elderly couple killed in their Fort Lauderdale home in March.
Maurice Newson, who was previously arrested in May for allegedly stealing the Melvins’ red Ford Fusion, was taken into custody Tuesday morning.
At the time of the murders, Newson was the boyfriend of the couple’s granddaughter and had spent time inside the home, according to police.
The police report states that surveillance video captured a dark-colored Sedan pulling up to the victims’ home. The driver got out of the car and was inside the home for five minutes. The same driver returned, hours later, to steal the Fusion.
Officials said Newson sold the Fusion to a tow truck yard in Wilton Manors. He met the tow truck driver at a tri-rail station for $200.
According to the report, when asked why he was selling the car, Newson said “he had recently purchased the 2012 Ford Fusion and was selling it because he was tired of putting money into the vehicle.”
Detectives were able to trace his cellphone and place him at the crime scene and at the tri-rail station. The tow truck driver also identified him.
The report goes on to say that police were “told by family members that Maurice had been coming around the home following the homicide ‘acting strange’ and asking a lot of questions.”
Police also said the granddaughter took a polygraph test and “found to be untruthful on the question of being involved in the deaths of her grandparents. Still, the granddaughter has not been charged with the crime and remains living inside the home.
Inside the granddaughter’s room, according to police, were renovation project details and some exterminator details. When asked why she had renovation details when it wasn’t even her home, she said it was a long term plan.
Tonya Mitchell, the victims’ daughter, said she suspected it was Newsom all along.
But Dennis Parker, Claudette’s son, said it is difficult to know that the suspect was not a stranger to the family.
“That there gave me a lot of closure but if he did do it, I hope he rot in hell,” said Parker. “Somebody to come in their house, and they let them take a shower, fed him, my dad left the back door open for 35 years so it had to be somebody that knew my parents and if you really look at it, they were angels.”
Parker said the loss of his parents is compounded by a family that is divided and grieving.
“My mom didn’t raise us like this. The Bible said money is the root of all evil. If I could say something to my parents right now, that your soul can rest now because, trust me, justice will be served. As long as I got breath in my body, justice will be served. If you did have something to do with this, God have mercy on your soul.”
The victims’ family said they are happy there is closure and now waiting for the possibility of more arrests.
“To come in and kill two elderly people like that, you’re going to burn in hell,” said Mitchell.
Newsom remains locked up at the Broward County Jail on no bond.
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