Lee Hawkins, from Bidwell, Ohio, was discovered responsible of a number of costs within the dying of 67-year-old Betsy Ball. Betsy’s partially-clothed physique was present in a area on March 1, 2012, not removed from the Gallia County residence she shared together with her husband David. Hawkins often labored as a farmhand for the Ball household. He was linked to the crime after investigators discovered DNA, fingerprints, and tire tracks on Betsy’s physique that matched Lee’s.
Studies state that Lee Hawkins was discovered responsible of aggravated homicide, tampering with proof, and abuse of a corpse. He was sentenced to life in jail with out the potential for parole with a further 36 months to be served consecutively. Hawkins is now serving his sentence on the Pickaway Correctional Establishment.
This week’s episode of ID’s Homicide within the Heartland titled Discipline of Unhealthy Desires chronicles Betsy Ball’s 2012 homicide case. The all-new episode will air on the channel this Wednesday, April 19, at 9 pm ET.
The synopsis of the upcoming episode reads:
“The grotesque homicide of a beloved citizen, Betsy Ball, shatters the quiet farm neighborhood of Vinton, Ohio.”
Lee Hawkins initially alleged {that a} third individual was behind Betsy Ball’s homicide
It was tire tracks close to Betsy’s physique that led investigators to Lee Hawkins, who maintained his innocence. Nevertheless, he claimed that he witnessed the crime and alleged the involvement of a 3rd particular person. His lies solely surfaced after DNA proof and fingerprints positioned him on the scene of the crime.
Lee Hawkins was indicted by a grand jury on March 15, 2014, two years after he murdered Betsy. He was charged with aggravated homicide, homicide, tampering with proof, and abuse of a corpse in Betsy Ball’s dying. He pleaded not responsible to all counts. The case finally proceeded to a jury trial, and Hawkins was discovered responsible of aggravated homicide, tampering with proof, and abusing a corpse.
After the responsible verdict, Hawkins was sentenced to life in jail with out parole for an aggravated homicide conviction with a further 36 months for tampering with the proof conviction. Each sentences had been ordered to be served consecutively. He’s at present serving the sentence on the Pickaway Correctional Establishment.
Betsy Ball, 67, was kidnapped from her residence Gallia County residence someday on February 29, 2012. Her husband filed a lacking individuals report after discovering indicators of bizarre disturbances round their home and storage after returning residence from working a double shift on the Kyger Creek Energy Plant. Betsy’s belongings, discovered within the storage, prompt {that a} wrestle came about there.
The subsequent day, Betsy’s partially-naked physique was discovered within the area, which was roughly a six-minute drive from their home. She was strangled to dying and run over by a car given that there have been tire marks on her face and higher physique. She had a number of cuts to her physique and ligature marks on the neck and wrists. Her proper wrist was almost severed and her physique was doused in gasoline.
Authorities additionally discovered DNA proof close to her physique. The tire marks and DNA together with fingerprints from the storage had been used to hyperlink Lee Hawkins to the crime.
Investigators alleged that Hawkins had identified the Ball household for about 20 years and infrequently labored for them as a farmhand. They believed he was accustomed to Betsy Ball’s husband David’s schedule and knew that the sufferer was residence alone that evening.
ID’s Homicide within the Heartland will shed additional mild on Betsy Ball’s homicide case this Wednesday.