Teens arrested in double homicide to be charged as adults
Two Lee County teens will be charged as adults in the double murder of a Lehigh Acres mother and her 16-year-old son.
The Lee County Grand Jury on Wednesday indicted Justin Wirth, 16, and Clayton Combs, 17, on two counts each of first degree premeditated murder and one count each of armed robbery. The teens will be charged as adults and, as a result, will be transferred from the Juvenile Justice Center to the Lee County Jail, officials said.
They are charged in connection with the deaths of Amy Ann Lorah, 43, and her son, William “Dalton” Haley, 16. Their bodies were discovered in their home at 3501 49th Street West on Monday, April 9, at approximately 8:30 p.m. by Lee County deputies responding to a call about a possible injured person or persons.
Both had been shot.
Responding deputies found the front door unsecured, and then, upon entering, a trail of blood that led through the residence to the two victims.
Spent 9mm shell casings were scattered throughout the residence.
Homicide detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit conducted several interviews in the ensuing days and two juvenile suspects were identified, Wirth, of 4319 13th Street West, Lehigh Acres, and Combs, of 19180 Ethel Drive, North Fort Myers.
According to the investigation, on Sunday night, April 8, Wirth had armed himself with a handgun and enlisted the help of Combs to drive him to the house with the intent to rob and kill Haley. Reportedly, Wirth had visited Haley on previous occasions at the home and he said Haley had carelessly pointed a gun at him.
Arriving at the Lehigh Acres home, the teens went inside. Wirth shot and killed Haley then proceeded to Amy Lorah’s bedroom where he shot and wounded her, officials said. She was shot two more times after staggering into the kitchen. According to investigators, Wirth and Combs then stole a safe which contained approximately $370 dollars cash and a firearm. Wirth gave Combs $150 dollars from the safe for his role in the murders and robbery. The 9mm handgun was later sold for $140 dollars.
Wirth and Combs are being held with no bond. They face life in prison if convicted.
Because of their ages, the law states that the death penalty is not a possible sentence in this case, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Judge Edward Volz set arraignment in both cases for Monday, May 7.
Sources: Lee County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office