Boyfriend charged in murder
By Brad BauerArticle Photos
WARREN TOWNSHIP - A 21-year-old mother of two was found Tuesday bound, strangled and wrapped in a blanket at her Lang Farm Road residence.
Police say the victim was Amber L. Wesley of 85 Lang Farm Road. Her live-in boyfriend, Noal Quattlebaum, 22, who has a history of domestic violence, is charged with her murder and is expected to be arraigned today in Marietta Municipal Court.
According to Washington County sheriff's Lt. Detective Brian Schuck, Quattlebaum strangled Wesley with his hands and a belt after the couple argued Tuesday morning.
Schuck said Quattlebaum admitted to killing the woman. He declined to release more details about the fight.
"It was just another domestic dispute," Schuck said.
According to an affidavit filed by Schuck, Quattlebaum told police he killed the woman because she struck him in the face with a coffee mug. He later said she did that after he attempted to choke her.
"(Quattlebaum) later changed his statement and said he and (Wesley) were arguing and he choked her with his arm until she turned purple and he then let her go," the statement reads. "(Quattlebaum) stated when he let (Wesley) go she hit him in the face with a coffee mug so he took his belt and wrapped it around (her) neck from behind and strangled her to death."
Schuck said it was not the first time the couple had fought.
"There were previous (domestic violence calls from the residence), and I know we've been to their house in the past," Schuck said.
Marietta Municipal Court records indicate Quattlebaum has three prior domestic violence charges against him, the last filed in May.
Court records also indicate Quattlebaum has prior charges for aggravated burglary, disorderly conduct and receiving stolen property.
According to police the couple had been together at least three years and have an infant child. That child and Wesley's other young child were not at home at the time of the incident, Schuck said.
"They are the real casualties in all of this," Schuck said.
According to police, Wesley was likely killed sometime around noon. Later, Quattlebaum left the mobile home and went to his parents' residence at 301 Main St. in Waterford.
Sheriff Larry Mincks said Quattlebaum eventually told his parents about the murder.
"They detained him and reported the murder," Mincks said.
Immediately after the 4:08 p.m. call, deputies were dispatched to Waterford and to the couple's Lang Farm Road residence.
Schuck said he was on his way to interview Quattlebaum when officers arrived at the couple's home.
Schuck said he has a theory as to why Wesley was killed, but he said he could not release that information.
"I want to wait until after the autopsy," Schuck said. "That will provide us with a lot more information and probably confirm a lot of things for us."
Late Tuesday, Wesley's body was taken from the scene to Montgomery County Coroner's Office for a forensic autopsy.
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mzdarlene
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07-23-08 7:19 PM
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I don't understand why he was even out of jail with that kind of arrest record. This should of never happened. I feel so sorry for those two babies. Not only do they not have a father but they don't have a mother now. Shame on you Judge Welch for letting this monster out to take a life.
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EmilyL
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07-23-08 2:52 PM
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"It was just another domestic dispute," Schuck said. This nonchalant attitude is part of the problem. Everyday, the national news reports the growing number of domestic related murders. By and large, the statistics reveal the increase in females murdered by their male husbands, or significant others. When are we going to sound the alarm? Violence against women in movies and television, suggestive rap music, and the lack of law enforcement to take domestic violence crime seriously, all contribute to this increase.
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Mudwife
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07-23-08 11:55 AM
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I'm so sorry for these little children and the families affected by this. My prayers are with them. This should have never happened. The guy should pay. What I don't understand is how a woman can let a man beat on her and then go back to him. I could never love anyone THAT much.
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notamyname
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07-23-08 8:37 AM
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Why in the h**l was this guy not in jail? from the looks of his past actions, this guy had a problem...glider, i think your right, not all domestic disputes end like this..all it takes is a few minutes to check out there past actions,,now two young children are left without a mother,,,,,so*****senseless
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glider
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07-23-08 5:21 AM
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"It was just another domestic dispute," Schuck said. I disagree with that statement. Although extremely unfortunate I don't believe a majority of domestic disputes end up in murder, at least I hope not. Not trying to justify any domestic dispute, but this ended up being the worst case scenario domestic dispute.
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KatieLloyd2008
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07-23-08 3:07 AM
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10 arrests since becoming "an adult." 3 arrests in 2 years for domestic violence, last time being May 1, 2008. I wonder how well Judge Welch sleeps tonight. At least Amber doesn't have to worry anymore.
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Boogitybear
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07-23-08 1:06 AM
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This should had never happened...From his past record it looks like he should had been in prison. Sometimes I wonder why we even have law enforcement...Cops go out and arrest these thugs,and the judge gives them a slap on the little finger and turns them loose
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