Shannon Vashawn Tapley, 43 of Rome, has been jailed in Bartow County for a murder that occurred over a decade ago.
Reports said that back on March 15, 2008 Tapley strangled 19 year-old Lance Jay Banister until he was unconscious. He then is accused of stabbing him multiple times before slicing his throat with a knife at Pine Log United Methodist Church on Pine Log Road near U.S. 411 in the Rydal area.
Bannister’s mother reported to the BCSO three days later that he had been missing from his residence on Dawns Way off Glade Road north of Acworth since he was waiting for a friend with a white pickup truck named Daniel to pick him up to go to Cartersville.
Fishermen found his body close to the Talking Rock Bridge near State Route 136 in Carters Lake in Murray County near the Gordon County line 13 days after his murder reportedly occurred.
WBHF contributed to this report
