UPDATE: Opening arguments have begun in the murder trial for Andrew Michael Wilson, click here to get updates.
CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Jury selection is underway in Wakulla County for the trial of Andrew Michael Wilson.
He's facing five charges in connection with the March 2011 murder of John Robert McKenzie, Patrick Lee Pittman and the attempted murder of Gabrielle McKenzie.
If convicted Wilson could get the death penalty.
(VIDEO BELOW)
Potential jurors are being met privately with attorneys on both sides of the case to help build a final jury to hear the case. A full jury is expected to be seated by the end of Tuesday (March 17, 2014) with opening arguments beginning early Wednesday morning.
WTXL ABC27 was the only news crew in court Monday.
Prosecutors say on March 30, 2011 Andrew Wilson went to the home shared by his estranged girlfriend, Gabrielle McKenzie. The pair also shared a young child.
Proseuctors say Wilson gained entry into the home using a key he knew that was hidden. Once inside of the home, located at 87 Field Loop Drive in Crawfordville, investigators say Wilson stabbed Gabrielle McKenzie, her father John McKenzie, and her then-boyfriend Patrick Pittman.
Gabrielle was the only one to survive what investigators called a brutal attack.
According to the Probable Cause report, Wilson was eventually arrested in Stewart County, Georgia, near Columbus, after crashing his truck in the lawn in front of a home belonging to a local sheriff's deputy.
The report says Wilson admitted to that Stewart County, Georgia deputy that he had just murdered three people. He was eventually extradited back to Florida.
Opening arguments are expected to take place Wednesday morning.
FULL PROBABLE CAUSE REPORT
On 03/30/2011, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from 87 Field Loop Rd., Crawfordville, Florida in reference to a disturbance.
Upon arrival, Deputy Nicholas Gray, and Deputy Clint Beam noticed that the front door of the residence was open and a small child was in the door way covered in with what appeared to be blood. The child was removed and placed into protective custody with Deputy Taff Stokley. Dep. Gray and Dep. Beam were joined by Sergeant Ronald Mitchell and they made entry into the residence. They located two severely injured bodies lying on the floor just inside the front door of the residence. Both victims suffered what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. One victim was conscious and the other victim was not breathing and appeared to be deceased. The deputies continued to clear the residence and located an additional victim in a bedroom. The third victim was not breathing and also suffered what appeared to multiple stab wounds.
After the residence was secured, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene and provided advanced life support to the victims. Two male victims were pronounced deceased on scene and a female victim was identified as Gabrielle E Mckenzie. Before transport to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH), Ms Mckenzie was able to provided Dep. Gray with a statement. Dep. Gray asked Ms Mckinzie who had done this to her and the other victims, she stated “Andy Wilson” (suspect). He also asked her what the suspect was driving and where he lived, she stated “A green Ford truck” and “22 Traynor Court” Ms Mckenzie was transported to TMH.
The scene was turned over to the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the two deceased victims were identified as John Mckenzie D.O.B 12/19/1948 (father of Ms Mckenzie) and Patrick Pittman D.O.B 05/24/1986 (possibly Ms. Mckenzie’s new boyfriend).
At approximately 0633 the communications Division received a call from Lorne Mason in reference to this case. Captain Randall Taylor spoke with Mr. Mason via telephone. Mr. Mason stated that he and the suspect work together. He received a telephone call from the suspect at approximately 0400 hours on this date. The suspect left a message on his phone that stated “I did a bad thing; Gabby and her dad are no longer alive because of me. You will see it on the news.” Mr. Mason also stated that another employee also received a message from the suspect.
Intelligence revealed that Ms Mckenzie and the suspect, Andrew Wilson, have a child in common. On 02/23/2011, the suspect was served with a Domestic Violence Injunction by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s office, the petitioner was Ms Mckenzie.
Detective Nick Boutwell received a call from Sergeant Tyler with the Stewart County Georgia Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was located just outside of Sgt. Tyler’s residence in Stewart County Georgia. The suspect had wrecked the vehicle that he was driving and had several injuries, including four severed fingers. The suspect told Sgt. Tyler that he had just killed some people in Wakulla County Florida and provided Sgt. Tyler with the address of 87 Field Loop. Sgt. Tyler placed the suspect into custody and he was transported to the Columbus Medical Center, located in Columbus County Georgia.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations was contacted and has currently taken over custody of the suspect. The suspect was read his Miranda rights by Special Agent Trebor Randle. The suspect stated that he went to the residence (87 Field Loop, Crawfordville, Florida) and hid his vehicle. He placed plastic bags over his shoes and duck taped the top of the bags. He knew where the hide a key was located. He entered the residence and located the first victim Patrick Pittman; he stabbed him with a knife several times. He then chased the second victim, Gabrielle Mckenzie down a hall way and stabbed her several times. He knew that Ms Mckenzie’s father, John Mckenzie, was also in the home, he hid in a dark corner and waited for him. When Mr. Mckenzie came out of his bedroom he stabbed him several times with the knife.
As a result of Ms. Mckenzie’s statement to Dep. Gray, the voice message that the suspect left on Mr. Mason’s phone and the suspects admission to Special Agent Randle, I am requesting a warrant for Andrew Michael Wilson for violation of Florida Statue’s 782.04(1) (a) First Degree Murder (two counts), 782.051 Attempted Felony Murder, 810.02(2) (b) Burglary of a dwelling while armed (dangerous weapon other than a firearm) and 741.31.4(a) (3) Violation of Domestic Violence injunction.
ORIGINAL RELEASE (March 2011)
Andrew Michael Wilson, 24, of Crawfordville will face a variety of charges including two counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, violation of a domestic violence injunction and burglary of a structure. Additional charges are pending a review by the State Attorney’s Office.
The WCSO received a 911 call from one of the male victims at 3:32 a.m. reporting the incident. Investigators believe the victims were stabbed to death by Wilson following a domestic disturbance.
Rescue workers arrived on the scene and transported Gabrielle Elizabeth McKenzie, 19, of Crawfordville to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital with stab wounds. She was taken into surgery a short time later. Her male friend, Patrick Lee Pittman, 24, of Crawfordville died at the scene along with her father, John Robert McKenzie, 62, of Crawfordville. A 1 ½ year old baby boy was also found at the scene with bruises but otherwise unharmed, according to the sheriff.
Wilson left the scene in a truck and was captured in Georgia a few hours later after crashing his vehicle in front of the home of an off-duty law enforcement officer. Wilson made incriminating remarks to the law enforcement officer about the killing in Wakulla County. Evidence was collected at the scene including a trail of blood outside the home as well as on Field Loop. Investigators were able to secure the evidence during the muggy morning hours before torrential rain washed the outside crime scene.
During the process of getting Gabrielle McKenzie medical attention, she told an investigating sergeant that they needed to be looking for Wilson.
“This was a premeditated domestic situation where the suspect parked his truck down the road and came to the house in the early morning hours,” said the sheriff. “We had received information from the suspect’s family that he might be heading for Columbus, Ga. and that he was badly injured himself.” Wilson was taken to a medical facility in Columbus, Ga.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigators assisted at the crime scene which the sheriff called “horrific.”
“This is not something that happens every day,” said the sheriff as he handled media interviews and spoke to family members of the victims who came to the Field Loop location. “We understand that the baby is okay and we certainly hope that Gabrielle McKenzie recovers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of the two men who lost their lives out here today.”
The investigation continues. Autopsy examinations of the two male victims will take place Thursday, March 31. Law enforcement officials are in the process of bringing Wilson back to Florida to face the charges. (Photos top to bottom). WCSO and FDLE investigators arrive on scene to investigate the double homicide. Suspect Wilson, Victim G. McKenzie. Victim J. McKenzie. Victim P. Pittman, Sheriff David Harvey, Chief Deputy Donnie Crum and State Attorney's Office Investigator Chris Lee discuss the murder investigation.
Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigators drove to Columbus, Ga. Wednesday, March 30 to bring double homicide suspect Andrew Michael Wilson, 24, of Crawfordville back to Wakulla County, according to Sheriff David Harvey.
“Wilson waived extradition and was booked into the Wakulla County Jail at 9:01 p.m. He faces two counts of premeditated murder, one count of attempted murder, violation of a domestic violence injunction and burglary of a dwelling,” said Sheriff Harvey. At Wilson’s first appearance March 31 he was denied bond.
Wilson is accused of stabbing John Robert McKenzie, 62, and Patrick Lee Pittman, 24, to death at a home on Field Loop sometime after 3:30 a.m. March 30. He also stabbed his ex-girlfriend Gabrielle Elizabeth McKenzie, 19, but McKenzie survived the attack and remains in intensive care at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. John McKenzie was Gabrielle’s McKenzie’s father and Pittman was a boyfriend.
“Investigators located a trail of blood that was approximately one-quarter mile long on Field Loop that led detectives to believe that Wilson parked his vehicle a short distance away and carefully planned his premeditated attack,” said Sheriff Harvey.
WCSO and FDLE investigators arrived at the Field Loop home shortly after Andrew Wilson left the scene. Investigators learned he was driving to Columbus, Ga. to see a brother. Stewart County, Ga. Sheriff’s Department Sgt. John Tyler investigated a traffic accident near his home in Louvale and discovered Wilson bleeding from a severe hand injury which investigators believe occurred during the Field Loop incident.
“Wilson made incriminating remarks about his recent activities to the sergeant that linked him to the Wakulla County crime,” said Sheriff Harvey. “He was covered in blood when he was discovered in Louvale, Ga.”
Wilson was taken to Columbus, Ga. Regional Medical Center for treatment and was later released to WCSO detectives.
The investigation at the Field Loop home concluded late in the day on March 30. The autopsy of the two victims is underway on March 31 and the bodies will be released to family members after the work of the medical examiner is complete. The autopsy will confirm the cause of death which investigators believe is stabbing.
Wilson and McKenzie had a 1 ½ year old male child in common. The child was bruised and covered in blood when he was discovered at the home. The baby is doing well and was released to officials of the Florida Department of Child and Families (DCF).
Additional charges against Wilson may be filed later by the State Attorney’s office.
