McMinn Police Investigating Possible Murder

" If you asked him to pray for you, you could ask him for help he'd be more than willing to help you," says Patrick Ervin who was surprised when he learned a month ago his longtime friend had been beaten and left for dead.

On November 8th, Etowah police found Robert Gravely here in the front yard of his home off Athens Pike.
According to the police report, the 70 year old man was lying on the ground, bloodied and under a blanket.
The report says he'd been there for two days and thought he fell but when police saw his injuries, they took him to the hospital because he'd been beaten and burned.

"I just remember the sound of his voice, he had a big loud base voice. I liked to hear him talk," says Ervin.

Ervin, attended church with Gravely for many years and learned his friend died this morning.
But Gravely stayed alive long enough to tell police who put him there.

Gravely's injuries were so bad, it wasn't until a few days ago that investigators were able to interview him about what happened that night. During the interview Gravely identified his attackers, who are now in the McMinn County jail.

Police arrested Angela Greene and Ricky Bryson who admitted to the beating in this affidavit we obtained from the McMinn District Attorney's Office.

In the statement they admitted to punching, kicking and throwing a chemical on Gravely that burned from his chest to his feet.

Both knew Gravely and had been fighting with him over his car that they used to get away.

Right now they face aggravated assault charges, but the district attorney's office says in a few days they could be facing first degree murder.

"He was a good man and it hurt to know someone would do that to him," says Ervin.

McMinn County detectives are working with Etowah Police on this investigation.
Both Greene and Bryson are set to appear in McMinn County court December 18th.