New York, NY — A 42-year-old Bronx man accused of brutally killing an elderly couple during a home invasion in Queens and then setting their house on fire is now facing multiple charges including murder, kidnapping, and arson. Prosecutors say the suspect also tried to steal money from the victims’ bank accounts and used their credit cards just hours after the killings.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Jamel McGriff, a serial robbery suspect on parole, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to the charges in the deaths of Frank Olton, 76, and Maureen Olton, 77. The horrific crime occurred on September 8 at the couple’s home in the Laurelton neighborhood of Queens.
A Deadly Home Invasion
Prosecutors allege McGriff went door-to-door in the neighborhood, pretending to need help charging his cellphone. When Frank Olton offered assistance, McGriff allegedly forced his way into the couple’s home and held them hostage for nearly five hours.
When firefighters responded to a call about a house fire, they found Frank Olton’s body in the basement, tied to a pole with multiple stab wounds to his neck and chest. Maureen Olton’s burned body was discovered in the living room.
“This was a horrific and calculated attack on two elderly victims in their own home,” prosecutors said in court.
According to AP News, prosecutors revealed that McGriff set the fire to destroy evidence after the killings. They also said Maureen Olton appeared to have been tied to a chair and strangled.
Financial Motive and Digital Trail
Investigators say McGriff attempted to transfer more than $10,000 from the couple’s bank accounts into his own but was unsuccessful. However, he later used their credit cards to make nearly $800 worth of purchases at a Macy’s in midtown Manhattan — just hours after the murders.
“He used the victims’ financial information to go shopping in the city after killing them,” prosecutors stated.
Court documents further reveal that McGriff was caught the following day after attending a movie in Times Square. Surveillance footage and financial transaction records helped investigators quickly identify and arrest him.
Criminal History and Court Proceedings
McGriff, a convicted felon, was on parole at the time of the murders after serving 16 years in prison for previous robbery-related offenses. He is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court again on November 12.
If convicted, McGriff faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Legal Aid Society, which is representing McGriff, said in a statement Tuesday that it is still reviewing the evidence and asked the public to “withhold judgment until all facts are known.”
“This case is in its earliest stages, and we urge everyone not to draw conclusions before all evidence is presented,” the organization stated.
Community Shock and Ongoing Investigation
The brutal nature of the attack has shaken the Queens community, with neighbors expressing disbelief that such violence could occur in their quiet area. Residents described the Oltons as a kind and generous couple who had lived in the neighborhood for decades.
Police continue to investigate whether McGriff may have targeted other victims using similar tactics. Officials are also reviewing doorbell camera footage and cell phone records to piece together his movements before and after the killings.
What are your thoughts on this shocking case and the rise in violent home invasions? Share your views in the comments below.
