Cox and attorney Greta Davis
By Bob Weaver
Nineteen-year-old Christopher Cox pled not guilty yesterday during his arraignment before Judge Thomas Evans III. Cox had been indicated by a Calhoun Grand Jury for the first degree murder of Russell Metz, 49, of Arnoldsburg.
Evans asked Cox if he understood the charges of first degree murder, robbery and larceny. He replied "Yes, I do."
Cox is being represented by public defender Greta Davis.
Cox allegedly shot and stabbed Metz last summer in a cabin a short distance off U.S. 33-119 near the Calhoun-Roane line.
Following the murder, State Police testified that Cox drove to Spencer and told his mother Christine Cox that he had killed a man, after which she notified the Spencer Police Department.
Police discovered Metz's body in a four-story hunting camp, spotting it from a porch. They said it had been covered up and exhibited rigor mortis.
Sgt. Darrin Campbell, after reading Cox his rights, said he was upset and crying, and told officers he stabbed the man and then shot him in the head to make sure he was dead. "He was talking about the crime on his own," said Campbell.
Campbell said his initial examination indicated Metz had been stabbed in the neck, ribs and back. Officers discovered a broken knife on the floor.
"There was also a gunshot wound at the top of his head," said police. Campbell said that Cox had cleaned up the blood on the floor himself with cleaning supplies. "He started to leave the scene and stuck the .22 rifle to his head" and shot, after which the body was covered with two bedspreads."
Campbell said there was no evidence of a struggle, but Cox was taken to Roane General Hospital by his family prior to his arrest for treatment of a wound to his upper arm which required sutures.
Campbell said he read Cox his Miranda Rights more than once. Cox stated that Metz had accused him of stealing.
Metz was Christopher Cox's birth father's cousin. Cox is adopted and had been living in Calhoun with relatives and friends while attending Calhoun County High School. He graduated with the class of 2004.
Police recovered Metz's truck in possession of Cox.
Cox is being held in Central Regional Jail. A bond hearing is scheduled for February 7.
He is scheduled to go on trial on April 12 following Jury selection on April 4.
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