In a significant breakthrough, authorities in Southeast Georgia have arrested a man in connection to the 1985 double homicide at a Black church, shedding new light on a decades-old case.
Erik Kristensen Sparre, aged 61, was taken into custody and charged with murder and aggravated assault for the killings of Harold and Thelma Swain. The arrest was made possible after the original suspect, Dennis Perry, was exonerated based on recent DNA analysis, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
The Swains were tragically shot dead inside the Rising Daughter Baptist Church located in Camden County nearly four decades ago. The case took a pivotal turn when investigators revisited it following discrepancies in the conviction of Perry. He had been sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty in 2003. However, a Superior Court judge ordered a retrial in 2020, which subsequently led to a dismissal of all charges against him in 2021 upon the prosecution’s request.
The catalyst for reopening the case was the DNA evidence procured by the Georgia Innocence Project. They were able to extract DNA from hair found in the hinge of eyeglasses at the crime scene. Testing revealed the DNA matched Sparre, who was initially a suspect, rather than Perry, thereby exonerating Perry and redirecting suspicion towards Sparre.
Questions regarding Sparre’s alibi have also surfaced. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported inconsistencies in Sparre’s statement that he was working at a grocery store at the time of the murders. Additionally, concerns about Perry’s trial were raised, notably that jurors were not informed about a $12,000 reward paid to a key witness, which may have influenced the outcome.
Sparre’s arrest occurred in Waynesville, approximately 90 miles from Savannah. He is currently held at the Camden County jail. Attempts to reach him via phone were unsuccessful, and it remains unknown if Sparre has legal representation.
The arrest of Erik Kristensen Sparre marks a new chapter in a long-standing case, offering hope for justice for the victims’ families. The involvement of DNA technology underscores its crucial role in modern investigative procedures, bringing to light the importance of revisiting and reassessing past convictions where doubts may linger.
Source: Apnews
