RFP Staff
♦ James Michael Robinson, Jr., 23, of Salisbury, N.C. was collared this morning in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. and charged with 2 counts of murder. Robinson is currently being held in the Hailfax County Jail pending transfer to Rowan County. Robinson is the third and final suspect in brutal killing of Spencer’s Antonio “Tony” Walker and James “Junior” Walker Jr.
Kenneth Wayne Abel Jr., 23, and Darius Obryan Abel, 24, were previously charged with two counts of murder apiece. All three suspects may face the death sentence or life in prison.
The investigation will continue in order to build up the case. Anyone with information about this double homicide-robbery please contact the Spencer Police Department during business hours at 704-633-3574 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245
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Police sources describe a joint investigation effort between the State Bureau of Investigation, the Spencer Police Department, and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Departments. Insiders point out that the alleged Salisbury perpetrators left behind crime scene evidence that broke the case.
***Additional information will be added throughout the day and evening as more is known.***
From previous RFP articles on the Spencer double homicide:
“Sources in the Spencer Police Department are reporting that Darius O’bryan Abel, 24, Salisbury, N.C is the 2nd Suspect arrested in the double homicide robbery in Spencer, N.C.
Spencer Police, charged Abel with 2 counts of murder and delivered him to the Rowan County Magistrate’s Office where he was booked into the Rowan County Detention Center last night in Salisbury.
On Wednesday evening SBI investigators arrested Kenneth Wayne Abel, Jr. of Salisbury. A third suspect is being sought in the double homicide/robbery on October 8th and his arrest is said to be upcoming.
Darius O’bryan Abel has a previous record which includes burglary first degree and robbery with firearms or other dangerous weapons.
Wednesday’s report on the arrest of Kenneth Wayne Abel, Jr. of Salisbury, N.C.: “The Spencer Police Department along with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) arrested Kenneth Wayne Abel, Jr., 27, 702 Candlewick Drive, Salisbury, N.C. and charged him with 2 counts of felony murder. This arrest stems from a double homicide occurring in Spencer on October 8th where Antonio “Tony” Walker and James “Junior” Walker Jr. were slain. Sources close to the investigation called the motive robbery, but were unable to give specific details at this time.
Abel, brought before the Rowan County Magistrate’s office Wednesday evening, is now being held without bond at the Rowan County Detention Center.
On Thursday Kenneth Wayne Abel made his first appearance in District Court before Judge Marshall Bickett. Judge Bickett asked Abel if he had plans for an attorney and Abel quietly replied that he would be hiring his own. Due to Abel’s facing murder charges Judge Bickett appointed Darrin Jordan as a provisional attorney.
Abel was previously convicted of an armed robbery in 2007 in Virginia. In 2012 and charged with failure to appear and comply.
Darius O’bryan Abel last March was convicted of felony burglary and common law robbery from an arrest in 2012. In June 2012 Abel and Kenis Allen broke into a Harrel Street house in Salisbury and struck a woman in the face with a pistol while they hunted for valuables. Abel also was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon, drug possession, and driving while impaired.
From the Rowan Free Press on October 9th:
“Spencer Police sources reported a double homicide during a home invasion shooting in the 600 block of Fifth Street in Spencer, N.C. around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday evening the 8th of October.
Family members identified the robbery- shooting victims as James Walker, Jr, 44 (known to his family and friends as Junior Walker))and Tony Walker, 29.
Spencer and East Spencer Police vehicles arrived on the scene and the street was quickly cordoned off. Investigators were speaking with neighbors as small knots of bystanders gathered in the area.
Area residents spoke highly of the murder victims and were both saddened and angered to learn of their deaths.
This afternoon sources in Spencer claim 3 men donning gorilla masks and wearing gloves and camouflage stormed into the house, demanding “Tony” Walker by name before they shot him in the bedroom. James “Junior” Walker drew his gun before being beaten by a robber’s handgun and shot to death. Tony staggered into the living room and died beside “Junior”.
Later Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and SBI investigators arrived on the scene.
Investigators believe they have several good leads in the case, yet none good enough to act upon at this point. Investigators maintained the robbery was not a random crime and that the victims were specifically targeted. The investigators hold that robbery was the motive and the victims were not random. They believe there was a specific reason why the victims were targeted, but can’t offer specifics at this time.”
Tony and “Junior” Walker will have a joint funeral today.
On Friday morning Darious Abel, handcuffed and wearing an orange jumpsuit, came before district court judge Marshall Bickett who appointed John Basinger as Abel’s provisional attorney. Eligible for a public defender, Abel in a quiet voice requested one. He and his cousin Kenneth Abel, Jr. face possible death penalties or life without parole.
