Grandson's Friends Accused Of Helping Cover Up Midwest City Double Murder

News9.com

MIDWEST CITY, Oklahoma -- Police have arrested two more people in connection with murders of a husband and wife in their Midwest City home that was intentionally set on fire Wednesday.

Firefighters were called out to a house fire in the 3400 block of Pleasant Drive around 11 a.m. Wednesday. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters found homeowners David Garrick, 60, and his wife Rose Garrick, 57, dead inside. Police said the victims and a pet dog that was found dead in a bathtub all suffered severe trauma to the head.

Investigators were initially looking for a white 2004 GMC 1500 Sierra pickup but later found the vehicle in Chickasha at about 5 p.m. They arrested the driver, the victims' 16-year-old grandson, Kyle Smith. Smith had been living with the Garricks leading up to their murders.

Early Thursday morning, police arrested Dustin August Martin, 18, of Moore after investigators learned Martin had met Smith and 17-year-old Jacob LeBlanc, also of Moore, at the Garricks' home following the murders and helped set the home on fire.

Police said Smith had called LeBlanc and Martin several times Wednesday morning, asking them to come to his grandparent's home. Once there, all three suspects smoked marijuana in the living room while both victims lay dead nearby, according to police.

Police said Smith, Martin and LeBlanc then discussed how they should "clean up" the crime scene and went to a convenience store to buy a can of gasoline. The suspects then returned to the home and poured the gasoline on and around the victims and set the home on fire.

Following the crime, police said Smith drove to a friend's home in Oklahoma City and confessed to killing his grandparents and even showed the friend a video off his phone of the crime scene right after the murders. The friend said he initially thought the video was staged, but told a third-party what Smith had shown him. The third-party then saw a news report regarding the crime and called authorities.

After that call, police were able to track down Smith's friend who told them Smith confessed to the murders and described the video Smith showed him of the killings.

Police received another call about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday regarding Martin's involvement in the crime. Martin was arrested and told police Smith confessed to him and LeBlanc about the murders and asked for their help "covering up" the crime scene. Martin then told police he and LeBlanc agreed and helped set the home on fire.

LeBlanc was arrested in Moore around noon Thursday and confirmed Martin's story.

Both Martin and LeBlanc were arrested for Conspiracy to Murder After The Fact, Conspiracy to Commit Arson, and Conspiracy to Desecrate a Human Body.

Smith refused to talk with investigators and asked for an attorney. He is being charged with two counts of Murder I, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Arson, and two counts of Conspiracy to Desecrate a Human Body.

"These murders were so violent in nature and then add the fact the suspects tried to destroy the crime scene by intentionally setting the house of fire, shows the true evil in this case," Midwest City Chief Brandon Clabes said. "I hope justice prevails and these three people are given their due punishment for such a heinous and gut wrenching murder."

The one question many want answered is why? But all police know is that Smith allegedly told his friends he wanted to kill his grandparents and run away.

Smith turned 17 years old Thursday and when asked if he had anything to say about the crime or if this was how he expected to spend his birthday, he replied "Nope" to both questions.

"The allegations in this case are horrific. I think everybody can agree with that," said attorney Josh Welch.

Welch met with Smith for about 30 minutes Wednesday night but was not retained to represent Smith as his attorney.

"It struck me the most about how young he appears. Beyond that I don't think it's appropriate to comment about any part of our discussion, what was said," said Welch.

Police Chief Clabes said investigators have all the evidence they need including the cell phone video Smith's friends said he took of the crime scene. The teen could face life in prison if he's convicted of the murders and arson.