2000-10-02

Moore County residents were shocked by two separate murders in the final months of 2000.

The first happened Oct.  2 at Ross's Roost Bait Shop in rural Moore County when Mary Kelsay, 61, was killed during a robbery.

John Ashley Griffin, 19, of Stinnett and Michael Noel Beams, 20, of Fritch were arrested in Las Vegas after being stopped in a vehicle reported stolen from Borger.  Both were brought back to Texas and Griffin was charged with one count of capital murder while Beams is being held as a material witness.

STINNETT, Texas -- A Texas Ranger and a Moore County sheriff's deputy investigating the killing of a Lake Meredith bait shop operator were on their way Wednesday to Las Vegas to interview two West Texas men arrested on unrelated warrants.

Michael Noel Beams of Fritch and John Ashley Griffin of Stinnett were arrested about 4 a.m. in Las Vegas on Texas warrants alleging unauthorized use of a vehicle, according to Moore County Lt. Tom Shelton.

Shelton said the men were wanted in connection with the theft of a car, a home burglary and some forgeries in Hutchinson County.

Shelton said his department plans to question the men about the Oct. 2 slaying of Mary Kelsay, 61, who was found by an employee at the Ross's Roost bait shop. Kelsay had been shot once in the head.

Local news briefs for October 12, 2000 - Las Vegas Sun News

Mary Kelsay
BORGER - Mary Kelsay, 62, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, in Moore County.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in First Christian Church of Stinnett with the Rev. Billy Holland, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors.

Mrs. Kelsay was born in Philadelphia and had lived in Borger for the past 10 years. She was a convenience store sales clerk and a member of the First Christian Church of Stinnett.

Survivors include two sons, Scott Robert Sandstrom of Borger and Christian F. Sandstrom III of Des Moines, Iowa; five daughters, Harriet Prohorchuck of Philadelphia, Darla Colgrove and Lisa Hartquist, both of Kingsport, Tenn., Cheri Gay Golf of Des Moines and Tammy Hefendorf of Grimes, Iowa; a brother, Albert Thomas of Philadelphia; five sisters, Margaret Fudella, Ida Rainer, Jessie James and Grace Wagnier, all of Philadelphia and Karen French of Borger; and 14 grandchildren.