James Matthews, 65, is a suspect in two homicides in Michigan, three in Texas and one in New York, according to Detroit police officials. Detectives are poring over old case files to determine if they can connect him to more killings.
Authorities also are investigating how a 2003 strangulation case against Matthews was flubbed. Investigators submitted a warrant to Wayne County prosecutors seeking murder charges against him, but the warrant was never pursued — and then, police say, he went on to kill more victims, all women.
“He should have been charged years ago,” Detroit police Chief James Craig said. “There’s enough blame to go around: Prosecutors never did anything with the warrant request, and our detectives didn’t follow up on it. The case just fell into a black hole.
“We believe (Matthews) is a serial killer who committed more murders after he should have been charged,” Craig said. “It’s a tragic situation.”
Matthews is in the Vernon C. Bain Center jail in New York, awaiting extradition to Wayne County, where he’s been charged with murder and sexual assault. Matthews does not have a listed attorney.
In January 2003, Matthews was arrested by Detroit police for allegedly strangling a 35-year-old woman. No charges were filed within the required 72 hours, so he was released from jail. Four months later, Detroit detectives had gathered enough evidence to submit a murder warrant to Wayne County prosecutors.
After that, police and prosecutors say they don’t know what happened to the case.