A call to Crimestoppers in the hours after the execution-style slayings of a Grasselli Heights family last week helped lead police to the two teens they have charged so far in the crime.
At 6:48 p.m. July 24, the day someone killed the four victims and torched their Howard Avenue home, a person called Crimestoppers and talked with detectives there about Shaunasty Lowe and a man nicknamed "Lil Fy Fy," who turned out to be Steven Jamal Williams.
The information provided by the caller, who was given a tip identification number, corroborated other tips. It was crucial, authorities said, and they are pleading with that person to call back.
"It's extremely important," Birmingham homicide Sgt. Cory Hardiman said Wednesday. "That person may have the one bit of information to lead us to the other suspects or solidify the case against those already in jail."
Police don't know who that person is, and never will. Yet he or she will receive up to $2,000 as a cash reward and never step foot inside a courtroom.
That, authorities say, is the beauty of Crimestoppers.
"All we ask for is the information and we'll do the rest," said Crimestoppers Detective James Lewis.
Birmingham Area Crimestoppers, paid for through fundraising and donations, is staffed by Lewis, a Birmingham police officer, and Jefferson County Sheriff's Lt. Bill Musgrove. They handle cases throughout Jefferson, Shelby and surrounding counties.
Conviction is not necessary for Crimestoppers rewards, the guidelines for which are set by a board that approves the amount of a payout based on the severity of the crime. Capital murder tips are eligible for the highest rewards.
From its inception in 1981 through May 2008, the most recent statistics available, tips have led to 1,616 arrests and helped clear 3,686 cases. In return, Crimestoppers has paid out $289,000 in rewards, all of it cloaked in anonymity.
"In 27 years, we've never had to turn over anybody or give up anybody," Lewis said.
A person who calls Crimestoppers is given a tip identification number. That number is used in future conversations and when it comes to time for payout, if the information leads to an arrest.
There is no caller ID or call tracing. In fact, Crimestoppers detectives don't want names.
"Nine times out of 10, if somebody starts to say their name, I hang up the phone. Usually they call back," Lewis said. "I don't want to know their name. I don't need to know their name."
"If they want to talk to a detective and give their name," he said, "I will put them in touch with each other."
Lewis said investigators are constantly up against the "don't snitch" culture. "That's what we're trying to get them away from, especially the young people," he said. "They're out there and they know the information."
Hardiman said investigators would prefer witnesses talk to them face to face, but would rather they call Crimestoppers than not help police at all.
"Crimestoppers has provided an avenue for them to feel secure giving us information that is useful," he said.
Airport Inn slayings:
The tip line was critical in tracking down Brandon Deon Mitchell, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the Thanksgiving Day 2005 triple murder at the Airport Days Inn.
Mitchell, then on the run from authorities, repeatedly called a female friend of his, asking to see her and telling her where he was.
"This young lady was scared out of her wits because she had heard that's who they were looking for," Lewis said.
His calls to her, and then her calls to Crimestoppers, led to his capture. "If it wasn't for that particular person and Crimestoppers, he probably could have gotten out of town," Lewis said.
In that case, the tipster agreed to testify in court, but Lewis emphasized, "That doesn't usually happen."
Lewis said they get all types of calls. "They may be in the ballpark, some of them may be way out in left field," he said. "Some of them are right dead on as if they were standing across the street and saw it happen."
Crimestoppers relays the information to detectives as soon as possible. If they are not in the office to answer the calls, there is an answering service to do so. If the tips are urgent, the Crimestoppers detectives are notified immediately, and they relay the information to investigators in the field.
Lewis said they become as familiar as possible with the cases, especially those quickly unfolding, so they know what information is pertinent when tipsters call in.
In the recent slayings of Derrick and Elizabeth Witherspoon, and her children, Justin, 11 and Jerome, 13, Lewis said he also went out to the area and canvassed the neighborhood, leaving his Crimestoppers card with residents there.
"Scared to talk":
Crimestoppers has received only five calls in connection to the quadruple slaying, he said. "With those that have called in on this particular case, everything leads back to the New Hill area and everybody's scared to talk about what goes on in New Hill, which is probably why the calls are so few," he said.
In that case, there is $10,000 reward from the city and money being offered by the U.S. Marshals Service, in addition to the Crimestoppers reward. Like Hardiman, Lewis urged the tipster in the quadruple slaying to call again. The Crimestoppers number is 254-7777.
"And not only that person, but anyone else that may have information about it," Lewis said. "We're out here trying to battle this war. We need everyone's help, all of the time."
