Annapolis police have finally arrested someone in connection with a cold case homicide that has been lingering unsolved since 1989. As reported by FOX Baltimore, William Cook Jr. was taken into custody at his Annapolis residence and charged with the homicide of Garnet Griffith. The long-ago January night when officers discovered Griffith's body with fatal injuries from a gunshot wound has haunted the community and the Annapolis Police Department — until now.
The case had gone cold, but recent years saw an extensive review of evidence and the emergence of new leads that would ultimately converge upon Cook. Chief of Police Ed Jackson was quoted by WMAR2 News, stating that the arrest is "a testament to the unwavering commitment of our detectives, both past and present, to seeking justice for every victim." He continued to firmly assure that the department will never cease pursuing justice for the community.
According to officials, the breakthrough in the case came as a result of collaborative efforts, a sentiment echoed by Jackson. "I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the men and women of the Annapolis Police Department, past and present, who never gave up on this case," Jackson said, as per FOX Baltimore, adding his thanks to the State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess and her office for their tireless efforts.
