Police nab Florida fugitive

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 14, 2004

When the Andalusia Police department responded to a "suspicious vehicle" call Monday evening, they had no idea there was an attempted murder suspect involved.

"We received a complaint of an abandoned vehicle in the parking lot of Andalusia Estates, the officers responded and when we got there, they found a suspect in the car asleep, " said Andalusia City Police Chief Wilbur Williams. "We ran the tag."

In running the vehicle's registration, the Andalusia police discovered that the car and the suspect were wanted by Pensacola police for a stabbing incident that occurred early Monday morning in the Florida city.

"We found the vehicle was stolen, actually taken from the victim," said Williams. "They (Pensacola police) indicated they wanted the suspect, too."

When Andalusia police took Joseph Patrick McCorvey, 24, of Pensacola, into custody, they believed the charges were for murder.

"They initially told us it was murder," said Williams. "He was taken into custody without incident and we impounded the vehicle."

Williams said the department was careful to take photographs and preserve evidence for the Pensacola police, who were expected to arrive Tuesday to take possession of the car, a gray Buick.

"They are supposed to be here to process the car and recover whatever items of evidence they deem necessary for their case," said Williams.

McCorvey was taken to the Covington County Jail where he will remain for three days or so, if he waives extradition, according to Williams.

"If he fights it, it could be months," he said.

According to a report in the Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola police believe McCorvey repeatedly stabbed Aaron Johnson, 42, before the victim crawled through a window and to a neighbor's house for help. McCorvey then allegedly fled in Johnson's car and an attempted murder warrant was issued. Johnson remains in critical condition at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, but is expected to survive the wounds to his head and upper body.

Williams said he did not know why McCorvey came to Andalusia.

"We believe he may know some people here, but we have been unable to establish that at this time," said the police chief.