Cary Ann was an average 8 year old little girl. Brown hair framed her sweet face, and big brown eyes enhanced her constant, glowing smile. This darling won the hearts of any who crossed her path with her soft-spoken ways and zest for life. Cary attended Sunday School at the First Baptist Church in Greenfield, Tennessee. She learned at an early age about the love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Her favorite color was pink. She loved country music, and often pranced around the house singing, "Turn Your Radio On". She loved to swim and ride her bike. She took ballet and wore her pink tutu in her first recital. Her favorite cartoon was "The Pink Panther" and she had a huge stuffed Pink Panther on her bed. She loved being barefooted and hated shoes! She sucked her thumb until she was almost 2 years old. She was a carefree little girl that loved life, and lived it with passion. She couldn't understand why people sometimes lied. Cary loved everyone she ever met and lent a hand anywhere she could...even to a total stranger....
On September 1, 1979, Cary and her step-brother were riding bikes in the neighborhood. A friendly man in an old car pulled up beside her. He seemed to know her father and he persuaded Cary to show him where she lived.
She parked her bike in front of a nearby church and climbed into the car. That was the last time Cary was seen alive.
As soon as Cary was reported missing, the entire community went into action. Scores of volunteers combed the nearby areas searching for her and the suspect vehicle. The next day, the family's worst fears were confirmed when Cary's body was found at the end of a field road on the outskirts of town. Soon after, a family member of Robert Glen Coe reported suspicions of him to the police. He was consequently arrested and charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Cary Ann.
Most of the confession was a nightmare for the family. There was, however, one part of the Coe's testimony that stood out. It was that something that told Cary's loved ones that the Lord had taken care of her, even to the end. Just prior to ending the misery of this poor defenseless angel, Coe said she looked up at him with trusting eyes and said, "Jesus loves you." Even Coe choked back tears telling this part of his confession.
Coe was brought to trial and found guilty in 1981. He was sentenced to two life sentences for the kidnapping and rape. He was given the death penalty for murder.
For 21 years this case languished through the judicial system. To the family's horror it landed on the desk of Judge John Nixon in the Middle District of the Federal Courts in Tennessee. Judge Nixon had a reputation of overturning death sentences. He did not disappoint. Cary's mom, Charlotte Stout, went to Washington, D.C. and testified about Judge Nixon's actions to the Subcommittee for Courts and Intellectual Properties (a subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee) in 1997. (see link)
Judge Nixon was not impeached, however he semi-retired in 1997. He still receives his full salary and still hears a 60% case load. To our knowledge, he has not received another capital punishment case.
After 21 years of trial and appeals, Robert Glen Coe was executed on April 19, 2000. It was the first execution in the State of Tennessee in 40 years and the first lethal injection, ever. Cary's family watched the execution from an adjoining room. Much to their sadness, Coe did not apologize before his death.
Finally, 6 months before what would have been her 30th birthday, Cary rested in peace.
The "Cary Ann Medlin Memorial Scholarship" is given annually to a graduating senior at Greenfield High School in Greenfield, Tennesseee. This is a completely self-limited scholarship (must be replenished every year) and depends totally on donations from family and friends. It is awarded to a student based on financial need and merit. If you would like to contribute to this scholarship or if you have questions, please click on the link and email Cary's family. We do not accept the donations personally, but will route you to the contact person at our local university.
