Updated: 3:02 p.m. June 16, 2009

Three more charged in landscaper’s slaying

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Authorities have charged three more people in the killing of a Conyers landscaper, whose body was dumped in a Newton County Creek last week.

The body of Timothy Clements, 55, was discovered by a fisherman Friday afternoon in Snapping Shoals Creek near Ga. 212. Police first charged Pablo Maldonado, 22, who had worked with Clements on landscaping jobs.

Enlarge this image

GBI

Facing charges in Timothy Clements’ death are (from left) Pablo Maldonado, Brittney Sumner-Beasley and Christian Caldwell.

GBI

The body of Timothy Clements was found in a Newton County creek last week.

Recent headlines:

[an error occurred while processing this directive]    • Metro and state news

Tuesday, police charged three of Maldonado’s associates: Christian Caldwell, 17; Brittney Sumner-Beasley, 18; and a juvenile. All four suspects are from Covington.

Maldonado and Caldwell are charged with murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, armed robbery, concealing a death, false imprisonment and theft by taking. Sumner-Beasley is charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Those three were denied bond at a court appearance Tuesday morning and remain at the Newton County Jail. The juvenile is being held at a juvenile detention center.

Clements was last seen when he left for work Thursday morning. When he didn’t return, his family reported him missing. Authorities identified him through his dental records.

Sumner-Beasley and Caldwell were arrested Saturday at a home in DeKalb County. Maldonado and the juvenile were picked up in Anniston, Ala., early Sunday.

All the suspects were tracked down by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Authorities found Clements’ 1991 red Ford pickup truck Monday off Evans Mill Road in DeKalb County.

Authorities have not said how Clements died or what was stolen, beyond his truck.

“We believe robbery was the motive in this whole scenario,” GBI spokesman John Bankhead said, adding that the Newton County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.

A memorial fund has been established for Clements’ wife, Barbara, and their two school-aged children.

Donations can be made to the “Tim Clements Memorial Fund” at any Bank of America branch, or checks made out to the fund can be sent to 863 Flat Shoals Road, Suite C225, Conyers, GA, 30094.

- Staff writer Katie Leslie contributed to this report.



AJC Breaking News Updates

Kudzu Services » Find the right people for the job