CHIPLEY – A man who attacked and severely assaulted two women earlier this year, resulting in one of them dying, pled to 8 felony charges and received 3 Life sentences Friday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
David Earl Gipson, 40, of Caryville, was adjudicated guilty of Second-Degree Murder, two counts of Sexual Battery with the use or threat of a deadly weapon, Aggravated Battery on a Person 65 years of Age or Older, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Bodily Harm, False Imprisonment, Abuse of a Dead Human Body, and Felon in Possess of an Electric Weapon or Concealed Weapon.
Circuit Court Judge Timothy Register accepted the plea after hearing the charges as outlined by Washington County Chief Prosecutor Megan Ford, with the family saying they agreed with the outcome.
“In our small communities, neighbors help neighbors,” said Megan Ford from the State Attorney’s Office. “This kind of violence doesn’t happen here. It is rare to bring a case of this magnitude to a close in less than 3 months. We are grateful for the collaboration and commitment that brought swift justice in this case.”
The horrific case came to light April 28 when a naked and bound woman escaped from the “box” the defendant put her in and ran through the woods until she found a road and was able to get help.
She told Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigators that Gipson, armed with a gun, severely beat 74-year-old Lettie Cooper Collins, rendering her unconscious, then tied her hands, feet and head. The defendant also brutally attacked the complainant, bound her in a similar manner, and packed items from the home into Collins’ car.
She said the defendant drove her to his residence, still bound, and put inside of a black box inside his shed. He then left, and she was able to use her legs to break out of the box and run.
Based on the information the woman gave investigators they found Collins’ body and launched an intensive manhunt for the defendant. They captured him the next day.
The surviving victim said in a statement read at sentencing that as she fled through the woods her biggest fear was that the defendant would find her before she could get help for Collins.
“I was scared, confused and just trying to survive,” she said. “I walked down the road, screaming for help, soaking wet, handcuffed, and terrified. Cars passed by, and no one stopped.”
Then a friend saw her and stopped, staying with her until help arrived.
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Those who spoke at sentencing or had their victim impact statements read to the court described Collins as a beloved member of the community and her family, a woman who was constantly helping others. She had previously helped the defendant, providing him food and occasionally shelter.
“She was the kind of woman who left a lasting impression on everyone she met,” one relative said. “She didn’t have enemies. All she ever gave to the world was kindness, patience, and love.”
She loved to fish, and nearly everyone mentioned memories of fishing with her or enjoying the fruit she grew.
“This is not goodbye to my mom,” one of her children said. “It may not be anytime soon, but I will see her again.
“Until then I love you and miss you.”
Basford thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for its rapid response to the situation and handling of the case, as well as the nearly 2 dozen law enforcement agencies that assisted in the hunt for the defendant.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.