Rome man charged in 2008 murder in Bartow County

Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023–10:50 a.m.

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Shannon Vashawn Tapley

A 43-year-old Rome man has been arrested in connection with a murder that occurred 15 years ago.

According to a warrant from the Magistrate Court of Bartow County, Shannon Vashawn Tapley is accused of strangling, stabbing, and cutting the throat of 19-year-old Lance Jay Banister on Pine Log Road near U.S. 411 in the Rydal area in 2008.

Bannister’s mother later reported him missing from his residence on Dawns Way off Glade Road north of Acworth.

Fishermen found Bannister’s body close to the Talking Rock Bridge near State Route 136 in Carters Lake in Murray County near the Gordon County line 13 days after his murder reportedly occurred.

Tapley is in the Bartow County Jail with no bond.

His reported accomplice died of cancer.

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