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Murder suspect was Forkland preacher
Published Saturday, January 23, 2010
DEMOPOLIS — From reading the news accounts of the shooting of Satarrick Gray at Livingston High School on Wednesday, one gets the impression that the shooter was a hateful, cold-blooded person.
These actions run contrary to those who knew suspect Telvin Gray, who was charged with his wife’s murder on Thursday.
“Generally speaking, he was a soft-spoken, kind, timid kind of person,” said Carol Branch, the pastor at New Life Church in Demopolis who knew him through her attendance at Ebeneezer Baptist Church and watching him grow up in Forkland. “These things…(from) the other day are just way, way, way out from his character — way out.”
Gray was a preacher in Forkland, having graduated from Paramount High School in Greene County in 1995.
He spent some time preaching at Ebeneezer Baptist Church and at the First United Baptist Church on County Road 20.
“Telvin was a good kind that went through a lot of stuff,” said Branch. “He had a hard time dealing with some stuff. He would just get depressed at times, but he was a good preacher. He knew the Word.
“He would preach about salvation and faithfulness of God, and how, when difficult times come, it is the voice of God that brings us out — typical messages of hope.”
Branch said that Gray had a difficult time adjusting to his divorce from his first wife, Madeline Gray, whom he married in May 2002.
“The first marriage ended in divorce,” Branch said. “That was stressful for him at times, just not understanding how these things happen when you get God on your side.”
In April 2004, Madeline Gray issued a restraining order against him, claiming that he attempted to cause her bodily injury.
“He calls me all day every day, cursing me,” she wrote in the petition for the restraining order. “He says he’s going to get me. He talks about suicide.”
Branch said that she advised Telvin Gray to seek counseling to deal with his problems, which she believed he did.
She said that when he introduced his second wife to the congregation, she felt that he was happy in his marriage.
“He had such a big smile on his face when he brought her to Ebeneezer, and I was happy for him, too,” she said.
“Then, I didn’t see him for a while, and I heard that he had set root in Sumter County. He served as the pastor for a while at another local church in Forkland. I thought he might become the pastor there, but he would say, ‘I’m just not ready for this,’ because being a pastor, you have to deal with tough stuff.
“He was just a person who was good, and I can’t imagine what would have snapped him, what could have happened. When difficult times would come, he would withdraw before he hurt somebody, so this is so far away from what he is accustomed to.”
Telvin Gray is being held in Sumter County Jail on $75,000 bond.
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Posted by tsgwin (anonymous) on January 23, 2010 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“Telvin was a good kind that went through a lot of stuff,” said Branch. “He had a hard time dealing with some stuff. He would just get depressed at times, but he was a good preacher. He knew the Word."
Mr. Gray clearly didn't know the Word very well—or either he just chose to ignore that whole part about, "You shall not murder."
Posted by gunnut (anonymous) on January 24, 2010 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's always the quiet ones...
Posted by CTALGIRL (anonymous) on January 25, 2010 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I extend my condolences and prayers to Starrick Morgan Gray's family. This is such a tragic story. I am also praying for Mr. Gray's family who will have to deal with this senseless crime for years to come.
However, I want to talk a bit about journalism today. There was a time when print media was THE source for accurate news. The stories were researched, names were spelled correctly, and facts were presented accurately. Since this story broke, I've noticed that many newspapers have not taken the time to verify information, and have even referred to people differently at various points in their stories. For instance, this article first refers to Mr. Gray as "Telvin" and then refers to him as "Travis." I think it was this same paper that referred to him as "Gray" and "Grey" in another story. Additionally, you refer to "Starrick" as "Satarrick." This might be menial to those writing the story, but for those reading it, like myself, it makes me wonder if I can trust the accuracy of your news. A writer myself, it bothers me that news outlets are willing print stories without proofreading them simply to get the jump on reporting the story.
As mentioned earlier, it's not only this paper; I’ve noticed this in others as well. Is this what print media is coming to: rushed stories with no regard for accuracy?
Posted by voiceofreason1 (anonymous) on January 25, 2010 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe it's because the writers of these stories didn't have five days to sit around and look for stuff to complain about.
Move along, CTALGIRL
This website's all ready got it's know-it-all and gunnut's term isn't up yet.
Posted by TimesEditor (anonymous) on January 25, 2010 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We fixed the "Travis" typo (with your help), but the release issued by the investigating body named the victim as "Satarrick." No other information was provided by the school system or any other law enforcement body. I could not find the "Grey" reference; it may have been in one of the "Breaking News" articles, when accurate information is hard to come by. We do respect people to try to get the spelling of their names correct whenever possible.
Posted by stronglady (anonymous) on January 26, 2010 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is Mr. Gray bond only $75,000? What happen to the weapon charge for school ground and reckless driving. $75,000 is a small amount for someone life being taking and other people life at risk also.
Posted by mouthpiece (anonymous) on January 27, 2010 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stronglady, Welcome to the United States of America. This country needs fixing in a bad way, this man killed Mrs.Gray in cold blood in view of more than a hand full of kids, this man should have been killed his self after capture and a judge review, but no he'll sit around for about a year or two,then go to court ,get sentenced to life then get out in about 10 yrs, this country and world are going to hell !!!
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