Suspect in priest’s death has long record, no history of violence

The parolee charged with beating an Eastern Orthodox priest to death with a hammer has a long record of theft and apparently tried to kill himself once. But he has no history of violence, police said.

David Burton Nesbitt, 21, was arraigned early Tuesday on a capital murder charge, with bail set at $ 100,000. Later, mourners attended a two-hour funeral service for the Rev. Anthony Boake, whose roommate found his body early Saturday in his northwest Dallas home.

Mr. Nesbitt’s relatives declined interview requests, and his court-appointed attorney said he could not discuss details.

Police say Father Boake let Mr. Nesbitt into his house and that Mr. Nesbitt stole the priest’s car, which was found Monday.

“We understand they’ve known each other for a few years, but we’re not sure how,” homicide Sgt. Gary Kirkpatrick said.

Greg Cohlmia, a founding member of the Saints Constantine and Helen Antiochian Eastern Orthodox Church, which Father Boake helped build, said he has heard that the priest had counseled Mr. Nesbitt as part of a prison ministry.

“Some say his kindness led to his killing. It’s pretty sick,” Dr. Cohlmia said.

Court records reveal a habitual car thief and burglar with no apparent violent streak.

Mr. Nesbitt’s first criminal charges in Dallas County stemmed from the September 1989 break-in of his ex-girlfriend’s home in Balch Springs, about a block from where he lived at the time.

According to court records, Mr. Nesbitt also left a suicide note. About four hours later, officers caught him at the house after the ex-girlfriend’s mother reported that he had broken in again.

Mr. Nesbitt was hospitalized after paramedics called it “highly likely” that he had taken “an overdose of some kind of drug,” court records show. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, fined $ 300 and released after 10 days.

Mr. Nesbitt’s first felony charge came after he stole a car belonging to his boss on Sept. 23, 1989. The car was found at the house of Mr. Nesbitt’s grandmother in Tennessee.

State District Judge Jack Hampton gave Mr. Nesbitt three years’ probation, a $ 300 fine and 200 hours of community service. The judge revoked the probation seven weeks later, in May 1990, after Mr. Nesbitt was caught stealing another car.

He pleaded guilty to that charge, receiving three years in prison and a $ 500 fine.

But six months later, in November 1990, he was arrested for a house burglary. He also was charged with one misdemeanor count of “enticing a child” to leave her parents’ custody, for which he received a 60-day jail term.

In January 1991, he pleaded guilty to felony burglary in return for a 15-year prison term and a $ 750 fine; as a repeat offender, he had faced up to 99 years for the burglary.

Because of his non-violent record, he was able to win parole after about two years.

After his arrest Monday, Mr. Nesbitt told jailers that he works as a carpenter in Dallas and lives with his mother in Irving.

Mr. Nesbitt’s sister, Carrie Nesbitt, said family members “are not commenting on the advice of David’s lawyer. . . . I can’t talk to you.”

Defense attorney Michael Byck , who has handled 12 other capital cases, declined to discuss virtually all aspects of Mr. Nesbitt’s case.

Investigators said they believe Mr. Nesbitt acted alone in the murder, even though he has worked with others in his thefts.

“He’s the only suspect,” Sgt. Kirkpatrick said.

Police also have charged Mr. Nesbitt with violating his parole and two Class C misdemeanors, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to have an operator’s license.

Dr. Cohlmia said Orthodox churches in Houston, Oklahoma City and Wichita, Kan., will share priests with his congregation until Father Boake’s replacement is chosen.

Parishioners, he said, remain stunned.

“I’d rather have Father Anthony back than have the clues to a puzzle,” he said.