HAINES CITY, Fla. — Three people are being held without bond following their arrests and charges in the deaths of a Polk County couple authorities say were murdered in their own home.
- Bodies of Raymond Cline and wife Crystal Cline found in swampy area behind their home
- 3 arrested, charged in Polk couple's murders
- Todd Michael Jackson facing 2 counts of first-degree murder
- Amberlyn Nichols, 19, and boyfriend Larry James Waters Jr also facing charges
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, investigators found the bodies of 33-year-old Raymond Cline and his 37-year-old wife Crystal Cline in a swampy area behind their home at 3500 Windy Hill Road.
Polk Sheriff Grady Judd at a Saturday afternoon press conference said the couple was murdered as they slept in their bed. Earlier, detectives arrested two people in connection to the homicides on charges of accessory after the fact and failing to report a death.
On Saturday night, deputies arrested Todd Michael Jackson, 34, who they allege committed the murders.
He was taken into custody without incident near his home on Plateau Avenue in Lakeland. He will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Amberlyn Nichols, 19, who lived with the couple, and her boyfriend Larry James Waters Jr., 19, helped clean the crime scene and dispose of the bodies, Judd said.
Detectives said they believe Jackson shot the victims two weeks ago.
"Our suspect Todd (Michael Jackson) has access to the house," Judd said. "They’re all aquatinted, I wouldn’t call them friends. But Todd Jackson who is 34 years old, goes into the bedroom while they're asleep and murders them both."
All three made their first appearances in court on Sunday morning and were denied bonds.