More Details Emerge On Captured Fugitives

MARION, Va. – More details emerged Monday about the Sunday morning capture of two fugitives charged in a violent attack on a Smyth County family.

Jason Betts, 24, and Mithrellas Curtis, 23, both of Saltville, Va., were apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in San Antonio, Texas, less than 150 miles
from the Mexican border, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Tom Slemp said during a Monday afternoon news conference.

“They were pretty close,” Slemp said of their proximity to the Mexican border.

He added, “We had also taken steps to have them arrested and returned if they did cross into Mexico.”

On Dec. 8, James Brown, of Chilhowie, Va., was stabbed to death at his home on Town Springs Road. His wife, Connie Brown, 46, their daughter, 21-year-old Jennifer Brown, and her boyfriend, James Bland, were injured. Betts is Jennifer Brown’s ex-boyfriend, authorities have said.

Smyth County Sheriff R. David Bradley said Monday, “At this time right now, we’re waiting on the Texas authorities to let us know when we can pick these subjects up and transport them back to Smyth County.”

Slemp said as far as he knows, no one was seriously injured along the pair’s attempted escape route. On Tuesday, police in the Charlotte-Mecklenberg, N.C., area said a man matching Betts’ description robbed a pizza delivery man, who was hit with a rock, hours after the attack in Chilhowie.

Asked about an apparent injury to Betts seen in a video after his arrest, Slemp said only that, “Running from the police is not a safe occupation.”

He said Deputy U.S. Marshal Byron Schiesz spent six days with little sleep creating a web throughout the Southeast that ultimately resulted in the capture of Betts and Curtis.

A day after the attack, Betts was charged with first-degree murder, malicious wounding and breaking and entering. On Friday, Curtis, who neighbors have said is Betts’ current girlfriend, was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and three counts of conspiracy to commit malicious wounding.

Bradley confirmed that the van in which Betts and Curtis were found sleeping Sunday was the same one stolen last week from Meadowview, Va.
The sheriff said the investigation is ongoing and law enforcement officers are still “following every lead.”

Bradley said he understands that Connie Brown, Jennifer Brown and Bland have been released from the hospital.

Meanwhile, relatives of the Browns remained tight-lipped.

“I’d like to thank the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office,” said Mike Brown, a first cousin to James Brown, who declined further comment on the arrests. “I greatly appreciate all the relentless hours that they have spent. ... They’re doing a good job.”

Trish Holmes, a friend of the Betts family, said those close to Betts are just glad he’s still alive.

“I know his mom was relieved because now at least she knows he’s safe,” Holmes said.

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