Affidavit: Union University Student Charles Pittman Misled Police in Investigation of Olivia Greenlee's Death

Jackson University
February 18, 2014

http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20140218/NEWS01/140218006/Affadavit-Union-University-student-Charles-Pittman-misled-police-investigation-Olivia-Greenlee-s-death?nclick_check=1

The arrest affidavit for Union University student Charles Pittman, who is charged in the shooting death of Olivia Greenlee in a remote parking lot of Union's campus, says Pittman tried to mislead police in the investigation of Greenlee’s death.

The affidavit says Pittman provided false evidence and changed the story he initially told police about what happened.

The affidavit says police were called to the campus where Union security had discovered Greenlee dead in her car with the doors locked.

The preliminary cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, and a 9mm handgun was found in the car.

"Investigators began retracing the hours preceding the discovery of her body and determined that Charles Pittman, later determined to be the fiance of the deceased, was the last person to be in her company before the discovery of the body," the affidavit said.

When interviewed by investigators, the affidavit said, Pittman said he had dinner with Greenlee on Feb. 11, after which she dropped him off at his apartment.

Pittman said he was concerned about Greenlee's emotional state.

"Pittman further indicated that he immediately began texting her and along with an associate began searching for the victim, even notifying the victim's parents who traveled from Dyersburg, to assist in the search efforts," the affidavit said.

On the morning of Feb. 12, Pittman called Union University security and asked that they check the campus in an effort to find Greenlee.

Later that day, in a follow-up interview, investigators asked Pittman to provide the clothing he was wearing while having dinner with Greenlee.

The affidavit said Pittman tried to mislead investigators by giving them clothing that video evidence revealed he was not wearing at the restaurant.

When confronted about the deception, the affidavit said, Pittman told investigators that he needed to tell the truth. The affidavit said Pittman then provided police with the laundered, bleached clothing video revealed he was wearing at the restaurant with Greenlee.

"Pittman then deviated from his initial statement and stated that after leaving the restaurant he and the victim drove to Luther Hall," the affidavit said. "Pittman stated that while sitting in the car with the victim at Luther Hall, he provided her with the 9mm handgun which was later found in her car and that she then shot herself in the head."

The affidavit said Pittman said he left Greenlee in the car, locked the doors and began walking back to his apartment in Cherry Grove Apartments and began sending text messages to Greenlee and placing phone calls to her to avoid suspicion when Greenlee was found.

Police determined that the 9mm handgun found in Greenlee’s car had been stolen from one of Pittman's roommates.

"Evidence at the scene contradicts Pittman's account of Greenlee's death," the affidavit said. "Investigators believe probable cause exists that Pittman murdered Greenlee."