Man found guilty of Boone Co. murder, dismemberment

BURLINGTON, Ky. - A judge has found a former strip club owner guilty in the murder and dismemberment of a Latonia woman 16 years ago.

Prosecutors said Raymond Clutter raped, murdered and dismembered the body of Peggy Casey in April 1994. Her remains were found scattered throughout three counties in northern Ohio.

Judge David Melcher read the verdict for Clutter Thursday afternoon in a Boone County Courtroom. He found Clutter guilty of murder and tampering with evidence, but not guilty of rape.

"This is the stuff nightmares are made of and stuff horror movies are made of. People don't realize this stuff happens on a regular basis," said Linda Tally Smith, Boone County Commonwealth's Attorney.

What happened to Peggy Casey began on Easter weekend in 1994 at the now closed Bottoms Up bar in Covington.

Investigators said she met two men at the bar, Raymond Clutter and Tony White.

Instead of taking her to her home in Latonia, they drove her to a mobile home off Mt. Zion road.

Detectives said Clutter slit her throat and then scattered her remains throughout three counties in northern Ohio.

"This particular case probably would not have gotten to the point we are today had the law enforcement in Ohio had not done the absolute fabulous job they did back in 1994," said Smith.

The case had gone cold until 2000 when a tip lead a Boone County cold case detective to Tony White who confessed to the crime and then implicated Clutter.

"This was the last case I had pending after my retirement and this made my day because hopefully it will give the family closure they need to move on," said Todd Kenner, retired detective with the Boone County Sheriff's Department.

After the verdict was read, Casey's family members thanked the detectives who never gave up.

"The verdict today couldn't have been better. Finally, Peggy Casey gets to rest. Her family gets to rest. It's been a dream come true this case has been solved," said Billie Ray, a detective with Miami County Sheriff's Department.

Casey's family agrees they are ready to move forward.

"Its been a long time and its been hard at times but I'm thankful to the Lord justice has prevailed today," said Tense Wilson, Peggy Casey's Sister.

Tony White is now awaiting trial for his role in Peggy Casey's murder.

Raymond Clutter is serving a 20 year sentence for a sodomy case in Gallatin County.

He'll return to Boone County for sentencing on the murder conviction on August 20.

The 62-year-old faces up to life in prison.