Cold case facts go to Columbia County grand jury

A three-year-old cold murder case was presented to a grand jury Thursday and two men indicted in the 2005 homicide of Fort White resident Marty Llyn Brown.

Brown, 50, was found dead in his home by his mother in September 2005. An autopsy revealed he died of gunshot wounds.

John Paul Melendez

John Paul Melendez, 26, who is currently in state prison for robbery with a deadly weapon and fleeing and eluding police, was indicted Thursday for murder in Mr. Brown’s death.

Also indicted were Arin Amat, 22, and Bubba Jack Hurley, 24 and charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. Hurley offered information to detectives in exchange for a 15-year-sentence. Melendez faces life in prison.

Columbia County Sheriff’s detectives continually worked all leads with little success until August 2007 when a tip came in and was assigned to Detective J.T. Williams.

"The information given to Detective Williams last summer was the first real break in the case," said Sheriff Bill Gootee. "He took that information and ran with it, not backing down when the trail grew cold. That dedication and tenacity is the key to this homicide being solved and the people responsible facing the consequences of their actions."

Detectives were told Hurley and Melendez planned to rob Brown of a kilo of cocaine and 

Bubba Jack Hurley

$10,000 in cash they believed were in Mr. Brown’s home on SW Bluff Drive. No money or drugs were found.

Arin Amat