Man Who Claimed 49 Killings, Including Two In Oklahoma, Still Under Investigation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) _ A convicted killer's stunning claim that he was responsible for up to 49 slayings has rekindled investigations in at least seven states, but no new charges have been

Friday, July 27th 2007, 4:11 pm

By: News On 6

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) _ A convicted killer's stunning claim that he was responsible for up to 49 slayings has rekindled investigations in at least seven states, but no new charges have been filed since his account was made public a year ago.

Authorities in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana say they are reviewing Robert Charles Browne's claims, The Gazette newspaper reported Friday. Officials in four other states have ruled him out as a suspect or dropped their investigations for lack of evidence.

It wasn't clear whether or when Browne might be charged, and some investigators said they were proceeding with care.

``It's not like he's out walking the streets,'' said Police Capt. Gary Cox of Sugar Land, Texas, where Browne claimed to have killed 17-year-old Nidia Mendoza in 1984.

Browne, 54, is serving two life sentences in Colorado for the murders of Heather Dawn Church, 13, in 1991 and Rocio Sperry, 15, in 1987.

In July 2006, the El Paso County Sheriff's Department revealed Brown had told a team of retired investigators he was responsible for 17 slayings in Louisiana, nine in Colorado, seven in Texas, five in Arkansas, three in Mississippi, two each in California, New Mexico and Oklahoma, one in Washington state and one in South Korea.

The killings dated to 1970.

Cox said investigators in Sugar Land believe Browne is ``likely'' responsible for killing Mendoza. He said authorities are awaiting the results of a second round of DNA tests before deciding whether to prosecute.

``Based on the information we have, his statements and supporting evidence, he is the likely person responsible,'' Cox said. ``We are able to verify everything he said. We can substantiate his confession.''

Arkansas State Police Sgt. Barry Roy said Browne has been ruled out as a suspect in the 1991 death of Lisa Lowe, but he remains under investigation in other deaths.

Investigators are awaiting a chance to interview Browne further before proceeding, he said.

Oklahoma authorities ruled Browne out as a suspect in a 1992 killing in Tulsa, and New Mexico authorities dropped an investigation into Browne's claim that he killed a man there in 1993 because they did not find a body.

Louisiana authorities interviewed Browne about several killings.

Red River Parish, La., Sheriff Johnny Ray Norman said deputies were disappointed by the information they got. But prosecutor William Jones said the cases are still being investigated by the Louisiana State Police.

Authorities in Washington state and Mendocino County, Calif., said they had no record three people Browne claimed he shot to death in 1986.

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said he was disappointed that some agencies have said they don't have the resources to pursue the slayings Browne has claimed.

``I believe there is real strong potential to clear five or six cases,'' he said.