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FacebookAccused killer holds impromptu news conference
Myers tries to minimize his role in woman's slaying, then admits to taking her son.
- Related: Accused murderer: 'It's my fault'
- Video: Watch Charlie Myers' statement to reporters
- More: Photos | Timeline develops | Share condolences | Full coverage
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Charlie W. Myers is brought into the Montgomery County Jail on Wednesday, Jan. 7. He is charged with 18 felony counts, including murder, kidnapping and robbery. He also faces one count of gross sexual imposition.DAYTON — Charlie W. Myers said nothing during his brief hearing in Columbus before a Franklin County Common Pleas magistrate Wednesday, Jan. 7, but opened up two hours later when approached by reporters in Dayton as he was being led into the Montgomery County Jail.
When first asked if he killed Jenny Nelson of Harrison Twp., he shook his head "no." Seconds later, he stopped walking and started talking.
"I just want to say I'm sorry for the crime, but it's my first time it's ever happened in my whole life," said Myers, of Columbus. "I'm 22 years old and I've never had a gun in my whole life."
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Myers, armed with a shotgun and sexual devices, drove from Columbus on Friday in the Nelson family's 1999 Honda Accord, which had been stolen from an Ohio State University parking garage Dec. 17.
When he arrived at Nelson's home on Redder Avenue, he kicked in the door and tied her up. She broke free from her restraints, grabbed a knife and stabbed Myers in the back. He then shot her, according to the sheriff's office. Myers intended to have sexual contact with Nelson's 4-year-old son, Sheriff Phil Plummer said. Myers is accused of taking the boy with him when he left the home.
Authorities learned of the attack after the boy was found alone at a rest stop on Interstate 70.
"I made a mistake and I apologize to the family," said Myers, who then minimized his role in what happened by saying "for one thing, I wanted their stuff, but that's all I did."
According to investigators, Myers took computer equipment and Nelson's cell phone before fleeing in another Nelson family member's car, which was later found in Columbus.
"I took the child because I wanted to make sure the child wouldn't stay with his parent because the parent had passed away," Myers said. "And I dropped him off on the rest area."
Myers then cut off his impromptu press conference as quickly as he began it. "It's my fault," he said. "I apologize for the victim. I gotta go."
Staff Writer Laura A. Bischoff contributed to this report.
