CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Police arrested a Charleston man Wednesday night claiming he murdered the man for whom he performed lawn work.
Police charged Anthony Caldwell, 39, with last weekend’s death of 90-year-old George Molle, whose body was found in his Kanawha City home last Saturday.
CPD
Detectives said they were able to track down Caldwell from video surveillance at a bank near Molle’s home. They also saw Caldwell on other surveillance cameras in Kanawha City.
The criminal complaint filed against Caldwell said Molle had strangulation marks on his neck and puncture wounds on his head. There were also defensive wounds indicating Molle was fighting back. Police said they also found a bloody hammer.
Police have not released a motive, but reports indicate Caldwell confessed to the crime. He apologized to reporters on his way to magistrate court Wednesday night.
“I’m truly sorry for the lives I’ve touched. I’m sorry,” he said.
Caldwell was being held in the South Central Regional Jail without bail late Wednesday night.
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Comments
Nc girl
This is a sad situation all the way around. What you people may not realize though is, tony had 3 beautiful children. I don't think any of them should read comments from a bunch of ignorant people who wish they could decide his punishment. In those children's eyes his is still daddy and even though this is a very bad thing that was done, I know one thing he WAS good at and that was being a father. It's a free country so you all are I entitled to your opinion. Just remember, there are 2 families that have been affected by this and 3 kids that Re very young that just don't understand.
January 27, 2014 at 5:38 pm | Report comment
Renee
Figuratively, if he was set off it was because he could've been denied money. However..it's an obvious case of a druggie thug getting his next fix and in desperation was perhaps not even asking but taking his life so he wouldn't be turned in for theft..so now it's a murder of a 90y/o gentleman who likely extended help to Tony in the past and certainly would not have expected to be killed...This Owen person...pertaining to manipulation by the elderly...I don't know what block you grew up on or what family saga you yourself must have experienced, but you sound as stupid and self entitled as the confessed murderer who supposedly aplogetic. In the Kanawha valley there continues to be alot of bold conduct...such as blatant bank robbery, stolen goods from stores or neighbors to pawn etc...but to murder..for a man to live this long and likely worked hard for what he accrued over the years, to be taken out for a quick fix is the most disgusting act for which there is no excuse. God be with the surviving family and also with the family of the perpetrator. I'm sure they've already been taken for plenty themselves. What a tragedy and how foolish someone is to get on here and make Tony sound like he suffered manipulation or mistreatment from a man who's grass he cut and likely the man was previously good to him and was already taken advantage of. These thugs lie straight to any face and stop at little to Nothing for an addiction...in this case stopped at nothing.
January 11, 2014 at 8:38 am | Report comment
griff
God only forgives when repentance is asked. this scum will answer to God
January 10, 2014 at 9:52 am | Report comment
Anonymous
I'm not saying what he did was right by all means but he may have a family also and imagine how they feel. Throwing dirt on his name doesn't make you more of a person either. God forgives no matter the cause and so should you all. Prayers to Both sides of each ones families and loved ones
January 10, 2014 at 9:51 am | Report comment
Wixcheew
Also the age of the trash was 39
not 29 Please read the article !!
January 10, 2014 at 9:30 am | Report comment
Wixcheew
In prison put him in general population and publicize what he did The other cons do not like that kind of crime and will address him
accordingly!!
We native Americans give all
elders due respect They are the
source of our knowledge and our
history We need to heed their advice and give them respect not
kill them nor sweep them under a rug. People who abused or hurt
elders or children were usually
given a swift punishment. A lot
of the abusers were not native!!!
Instead they were visitors to our
land but did not act that way.
Always respect elders children and
the women who will carry our future!!
January 10, 2014 at 9:27 am | Report comment
Uncle SAM
Isn't it ironic,, the Democrats will not put this 29 year old violent murderer to death but if his mother had of walked in off the street 30 years ago and said kill this boy inside me,, they would of been glad to...
January 10, 2014 at 8:29 am | Report comment
griff
hey dipstick, the death penalty was stopped several years ago because it "wasn't humane" so neither the democrats or the republicans can put him to death. BTW the article says 39 not 29.
January 10, 2014 at 9:51 am | Report comment
Zack
Wonder what that old guy did to set the dude off?
January 9, 2014 at 11:09 am | Report comment
Dee
Why would you assume that the old guy had to do anything? Obviously, this person is a sick individual - you'd have to be to kill someone with a hammer and strangle them.
January 9, 2014 at 11:54 am | Report comment
Owen Boone
Old people are often emotionally abusive. They are jealous of the young so they manipulate, abuse, extort, harass, etc. then cry "elder abuse" when someone fights back. I imagine this is a case where the old guy pushed the the younger guy over the edge.
January 9, 2014 at 11:07 am | Report comment
Uncle SAM
Of course you went to my Public Education System...
January 10, 2014 at 7:19 am | Report comment
mauldawg
You are a hopeless idiot.
January 10, 2014 at 6:14 am | Report comment
Larry
Owen, is this some sort of a sick, idiotic attempt at being "funny"?
January 9, 2014 at 12:50 pm | Report comment
Uncle SAM
Owen also thinks if your infant is crying non-stop and you shake them to death, that too is justifiable
January 10, 2014 at 7:26 am | Report comment
Owen Boone
No, this is not an attempt to be funny. I personally know that the elderly can be manipulative and abusive. They do not live by the same rules as the rest of us. Let's be real with one another.
January 9, 2014 at 12:55 pm | Report comment
tina
Just want to shed some light on tony and his lifestyle, I know him and his family. Every house on the street he lives on or lived on has been broken into. oh, except his house and one other! hmmmm....and they all reported the break ins and suggested tony was responsible but he never got caught. HE FINALLY GOT CAUGHT!!!!
January 9, 2014 at 10:41 pm | Report comment
Earl Ray
Ok, if you're not trying to be funny, then you really must be an idiot.
January 9, 2014 at 4:19 pm | Report comment
Owen Boone
No, your'e just in denial. You don't know the details of this case but you have automatically decided that because that the man was 90 that it is first degree murder.
January 9, 2014 at 10:10 pm |
Sarah
Yes, sometimes old people sell their pills and get mixed up with the wrong people. You shouldn't blame them because they need money.
January 9, 2014 at 1:02 pm | Report comment
Dee
You need professional assistance to help you sort out whatever your issues are. Did you seriously just blame a 90-year-old man for getting beaten to death with a hammer? Can't tell if you're a moron or a troll. Not that being a troll doesn't necessarily exclude you from being a moron.
January 9, 2014 at 11:51 am | Report comment
Steve
Did you not read the articles? The guy broke in to his home and killed him for his money. It was a punk taking advantage of an elderly man. It was a cowardly act of opportunity.
You are despicable.
January 9, 2014 at 11:36 am | Report comment
Zack
Don't you think they knew one another and had some kind of relationship?
January 9, 2014 at 12:01 pm | Report comment
Uncle SAM
Yes Zack, I'm sure the 90 year old man had been forcibly raping the defenseless 29 year old man--- We should find an angle to blame not just old white men but also Big Pharma-- I guess the old guy had been taking Viagra an Ageless Male...
January 10, 2014 at 7:23 am | Report comment
Steve
I think they knew each other because this worthless pos did his lawn work. They found his business card in his house. He knew he was an old man who lived alone and was easy prey. This coward took full advantage of that opportunity.
What difference does it make of the prior relationship? He bludgeoned to death a defenseless, 90 year old man with a hammer.
January 9, 2014 at 12:22 pm | Report comment
Zack
The kind of relationship they had and what the old man may or may not have done to the dude may affect whether it is first, second degree, or third degree murder.
January 9, 2014 at 12:42 pm |
Jeff
Oh, how nice of him to say, "I'm sorry". That will bring the man back to life. For guys like this, we need the death penalty. Swift......no delays.......he's admitted to the crime so give him the juice.
January 9, 2014 at 10:06 am | Report comment
Steve
Jeff, whenever a criminal says, "I'm sorry", it means I'm sorry I got caught.
Notice how these worthless pieces of dung are so sorry they never turn themselves in.
January 9, 2014 at 12:23 pm | Report comment
wvtd
to bad he can not be hung if found guilty. we will have to pay for his room, board and health care for many years to come.
January 9, 2014 at 9:37 am | Report comment
Dale
Citizens need to demand the legislature pass a bill allowing an ammendment to WV's constitution providing the death penalty for certain offenses. Put it up for a vote. Let the majority decide. I think it would pass.
January 9, 2014 at 7:56 am | Report comment
peg
I so agree with you Dale. Something needs done to curtail crime & empty the jails. This guys doesn't deserve to live
January 9, 2014 at 1:24 pm | Report comment
Brad
The Republicans, notably the late Sen. Bud Harman (R-Taylor Co.), put the death penalty bill up every year. And every year, the Democrat majority would not even allow it to come to the floor for a vote. If you want a death penalty, you'll have to vote out the Democrats, plain and simple.
January 9, 2014 at 9:33 am | Report comment
Larry
I agree, and the thing that has always perplexed me is California, probably the most liberal state in the country has the death penalty, and WV, one of the most conservative, does not.
January 9, 2014 at 12:39 pm | Report comment
Matt
CHEERS!!!
January 9, 2014 at 9:31 am | Report comment
Cheryl
"I'm truly sorry for the lives I've touched." Not touched, for the lives he has destroyed! He should receive the death penalty for killing an innocent elderly man. I don't want him incarcerated for life, that would mean my tax dollars would take care of him. He would have more amenities and the working class.
January 9, 2014 at 7:50 am | Report comment
Steve
The Charleston Daily Mail has a longer article.
This scum actually said, "it was an accident." It also said they found a bloody hammer and gloves in a dumpster near the house. Money was missing from the house.
I accidentally hit you repeatedly in the head with a hammer and stole your cash.
Enjoy Mt. Olive for the rest of your life. Too bad your mom didn't swallow the night you were conceived.
January 9, 2014 at 7:28 am | Report comment
Larry
I read that article too, unless they edited it after you read it, I don't see where he said "it was an accident".
January 9, 2014 at 8:07 am | Report comment
Steve
Larry, my apologies, it was in the Gazette and he said it was a "mistake."
January 9, 2014 at 8:54 am | Report comment
Larry
I think a good take away from this is, DO NOT USE NATURE BOYS LAWN SERVICE!
January 9, 2014 at 9:07 am | Report comment
Larry
Ok, no problem.
January 9, 2014 at 9:01 am | Report comment
2XLPatriot
+1
January 9, 2014 at 7:52 am | Report comment
Larry
He looks like such a fine, honest, upstanding person, can't believe he would commit such a terrible act.
January 9, 2014 at 7:15 am | Report comment