The man charged with the brutal murder of a senior couple in Queens, 42-year-old Jamel McGriff, has been ordered to remain in jail without bail. ABC7NY reports that McGriff stands accused of a multitude of charges including murder, arson, and kidnapping, stemming from the acts that claimed the lives of 76-year-old Frank Olton and 77-year-old Maureen Olton in their own home.
According to Gothamist, McGriff was arrested after a two-day pursuit, found lounging in a movie theater recliner with tickets he purchased using one of the victims' credit cards. Upon his capture in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, McGriff's apparent indifference to the gravity of his crimes was evident when he reportedly told police, "I'll admit it. I killed them, I don’t give a fu–. I burnt [them]. I molested them."
The couple's deaths unfolded on Monday morning, when McGriff allegedly entered their home and remained there for an extended period, during which multiple violent acts were carried out, including stabbing, burning, and assault. Prosecutors described the severity of the crime: Maureen Olton was found with extensive burns, a fractured larynx, and soot in her trachea and one lung; Frank Olton had multiple stab wounds and was found bound. In the aftermath, McGriff is accused of using the victims' credit cards to purchase merchandise and selling their belongings.
During McGriff's arraignment, which took place yesterday according to the information provided by Gothamist, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz condemned the incident as a "horrific double murder" that has "shattered the sense of safety and security in New York." Following his court arraignment, McGriff was escorted from the 107th Precinct by law enforcement and declined to answer reporters’ questions, instead making unsubstantiated claims about the victims he is accused of killing.
New evidence has emerged that contradicts initial beliefs about the incident's onset. Surveillance video analysis shows the suspect may have forced his way into the Oltons' residence, despite the couple's cautious approach to McGriff's initial request to charge his phone. Recovered audio from the surveillance appears to capture Frank Olton ordering McGriff to "get the f- out of here," as detailed by ABC7NY. McGriff is slated to appear back in court on Sept. 16 as the legal proceedings against him continue.
