Misplaced Pages

Craig Titus: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 23:08, 22 March 2024 editParkwells (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers178,672 edits →Early life: Add cite for being of Greek descent← Previous edit Latest revision as of 23:06, 22 November 2024 edit undoSer Amantio di Nicolao (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators6,296,810 editsm add Category:20th-century American sportsmenTag: AWB 
(26 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American murderer (born 1965)}} {{Short description|American murderer (born 1965)}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2011}}'''Craig Michael Titus''' (born January 14, 1965,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bodybuilders.com/titus.htm |title=Bodybuilding.com - Craig Titus Pro Bodybuilding Profile |publisher=Bodybuilders.com |access-date=October 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105194421/http://www.bodybuilders.com/titus.htm |archive-date=November 5, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> in ]) is an American convicted murderer and former professional ].<ref name="DOC" /> He was convicted in ] of the murder of Melissa James, his personal assistant, in December 2005. {{BLP sources|date=January 2011}}'''Craig Michael Titus''' (born January 14, 1965,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bodybuilders.com/titus.htm |title=Bodybuilding.com - Craig Titus Pro Bodybuilding Profile |publisher=Bodybuilders.com |access-date=October 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105194421/http://www.bodybuilders.com/titus.htm |archive-date=November 5, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> in ]) is an American convicted murderer.<ref name="DOC" /> He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and arson in the death of 28-year-old Melissa James on December 14, 2005 in ], Nevada; Melissa had been a personal assistant to him and his wife, ]. He was sentenced to 21 to 55 years in prison in 2008.

He was a former professional bodybuilder.


== Early life == == Early life ==
Line 6: Line 8:


== Career == == Career ==
When Titus graduated from high school, he was 5'6" and 140&nbsp;lbs. By the age of 21, he was 5'8" and 185&nbsp;lbs. He began to see good results from weight training and decided to become a bodybuilder. When Titus graduated from high school, he was 5'6" and 140&nbsp;lbs. By the age of 21, he was 5'8" and 185&nbsp;lbs. He began to see good results from weight training and decided to become a bodybuilder.


His first bodybuilding competition was the 1988 Houston Bodybuilding Championships. He won the Men's Open middleweight class and the overall title. Over the next several years of placn competitions, he established himself by 1996 as accepted into the ing International Federation of Professional Bodybuilders. He continued to compete into the 2000s, often placing among the top ten in his class. (See list below.) His first bodybuilding competition was the 1988 Houston Bodybuilding Championships. He won the Men's Open middleweight class and the overall title. Over the next several years of placing among top finishers in competitions, he established himself by 1996 and was accepted into the professional ranks of the ]. He continued to compete into the 2000s, often placing among the top ten in his class. (See list below.)


== Criminal convictions == == Criminal convictions ==


Titus had difficulties with controlled substances. In April 1995 in Louisiana, Titus pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute ]. He was sentenced to 16 months' house arrest via monitoring with an ]. In July 1997, Titus was sentenced to 21 months in prison for violating his probation by using ]s. Titus had difficulties with controlled substances. In April 1995 in Louisiana, Titus pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute ]. He was sentenced to 16 months' house arrest via monitoring with an ]. In July 1997, Titus was sentenced to 21 months in prison for violating his probation by using ]s.

==Marriages==
In 2000, he remarried, to ], a fitness competitor, in ].<ref name="curreri"/> They had gotten to know each other through competitions. For a time, they had lived in Southern California.


==Murder of Melissa James== ==Murder of Melissa James==
In December 2005, the gagged and bound body of Melissa James was found in a burning car in the Nevada desert. On December 14, 2005, the charred, gagged and bound body of 28-year-old Melissa James was found in the trunk of a burning ] in the Nevada desert. A trucker had reported the car to authorities, who put out the fire before all evidence was destroyed.


In December 2005, Titus and his wife ] were charged with homicide in ] in the death of James, their live-in personal assistant. Titus had admitted to detectives of having had an affair with James.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.criticalbench.com/craig-titus-murder-charge.htm |first=Frank |last=Curreri |title=Craig Titus Murder Charge |publisher=Criticalbench.com |date= |access-date=October 8, 2013 }}</ref> The couple fled cross-country and were arrested in ], along with their alleged accomplice Anthony Gross. After tracing the car to ], the police interviewed both her and her husband Titus. Melissa James was their live-in personal assistant. The police released the couple, pending more investigation. They fled across country to Massachusetts. Titus had admitted to detectives of having had an affair with James, but said he and his wife had ended their working relationship with her, claiming she had embezzled from them.


After a nine-day investigation and manhunt, police apprehended the couple and their alleged accomplice, Anthony Gross, near Boston. They were promptly extradited to ] and arrested on charges of murder of James, kidnapping, and arson.<ref name="curreri">{{cite web|url=http://www.criticalbench.com/craig-titus-murder-charge.htm |first=Frank |last=Curreri |title=Craig Titus Murder Charge |publisher=Criticalbench.com |date=n.d.|access-date=October 8, 2013 }}</ref><!--The byline is for Frank Curreri, who was a reporter in 2005 and through this case for the '']'' and wrote extensively about it. At the bottom, the article said that "Review-Journal writers Brian Haynes and Carri Geer Thevenot contributed to this report." It appears to be a reprint of an article by Curreri written at the time of the arrests of Titus and Ryan and likely published in the ''Review-Journal,'' but is not credited that way. -->
⚫ In February 2006, after being extradited to Nevada from ], Titus and Ryan were denied bail. On March 29, both pleaded not guilty to a felony charge for killing Melissa James, their live-in assistant. The charge carried the possibility of the ].


⚫ In February 2006, Titus and Ryan were denied bail. On March 29, each pled not guilty to a felony charge of killing Melissa James. The charge carried the possibility of the ].
Days before their murder trial was set to begin in Las Vegas in 2008, both Titus and Ryan pleaded guilty on May 30, 2008 to various charges related to James's death as part of a deal to evade capital charges.


Days before their murder trial was set to begin in Las Vegas in June 2008, Titus and Ryan each pled guilty on May 30, 2008 to various charges related to James's death. They had made plea deals with the prosecutor to avoid capital charges that risked the death penalty. Titus pled guilty to ], ], and arson.<ref name="mower">{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/bodybuilder-admits-killing/ |title=Bodybuilder admits killing| last=Mower|first=Lawrence|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=31 May 2008|access-date= 22 March 2024}}</ref>
⚫ On August 22, 2008, Titus was convicted of ], kidnapping, and arson.<ref name="DOC">{{cite web|url=http://www.doc.nv.gov/inmatesearch/form.php |title=Offender Detail Record |publisher=Nevada Offender Tracking Information System |access-date=September 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927221744/http://www.doc.nv.gov/inmatesearch/form.php |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> He was sentenced to 21 to 55 years in prison. He is incarcerated at ], a state prison in Nevada.


⚫ On August 22, 2008, Titus was recorded as convicted of ], kidnapping, and arson.<ref name="DOC">{{cite web|url=http://www.doc.nv.gov/inmatesearch/form.php |title=Offender Detail Record |publisher=Nevada Offender Tracking Information System |access-date=September 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927221744/http://www.doc.nv.gov/inmatesearch/form.php |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> He was sentenced to 21 to 55 years in prison. He is incarcerated at ], a state prison in Nevada.
⚫ Ryan was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 3–13 years in prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.aol.com/article/pro-bodybuilders-sentenced-in-aides/145388 |title=Pro Bodybuilders Sentenced in Aides |publisher=News.aol.com |date= }}{{Dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.8newsnow.com/story/8886176/pro-bodybuilders-sentenced-in-aides-2005-death-in-vegas?clienttype=printable |title=Pro Bodybuilders Sentenced in Aide's 2005 Death in Vegas |publisher=8 News NOW |location=Las Vegas, Nevada |date=August 22, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2013 |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019193518/http://www.8newsnow.com/story/8886176/pro-bodybuilders-sentenced-in-aides-2005-death-in-vegas?clienttype=printable |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/bodybuilder-wife-get-prison-slaying | title=Bodybuilder, wife get prison in slaying |date=August 23, 2008 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date=October 8, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/31/national/main4142667.shtml | work=CBS News | title=Bodybuilders Plead Guilty In Gruesome Slay | date=May 31, 2008}}</ref>


⚫ Ryan had pled guilty to arson and battery with a deadly weapon with significant bodily harm. She was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 3–13 years in prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.aol.com/article/pro-bodybuilders-sentenced-in-aides/145388 |title=Pro Bodybuilders Sentenced in Aides |publisher=News.aol.com |date= }}{{Dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.8newsnow.com/story/8886176/pro-bodybuilders-sentenced-in-aides-2005-death-in-vegas?clienttype=printable |title=Pro Bodybuilders Sentenced in Aide's 2005 Death in Vegas |publisher=8 News NOW |location=Las Vegas, Nevada |date=August 22, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2013 |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019193518/http://www.8newsnow.com/story/8886176/pro-bodybuilders-sentenced-in-aides-2005-death-in-vegas?clienttype=printable |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/bodybuilder-wife-get-prison-slaying | title=Bodybuilder, wife get prison in slaying |date=August 23, 2008 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date=October 8, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bodybuilders-plead-guilty-in-gruesome-slay/ | work=CBS News | title=Bodybuilders Plead Guilty In Gruesome Slay | date=May 31, 2008}}</ref>
Anthony Gross, also charged as an accomplice in the crime, pleaded guilty in February 2009. He received a sentence of probation.

==Representation in other media==
The murder of Melissa James is featured in Season 4, Episode 1 of the TV series, ‘’]’’.


== Competitions and titles == == Competitions and titles ==
Line 64: Line 66:
* 1989 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships—Overall * 1989 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships—Overall
* 1988 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships—1st Middleweight and Overall * 1988 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships—1st Middleweight and Overall

==Representation in other media==


== See also == == See also ==
Line 76: Line 76:
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


== Bibliography == == Further reading==


* ''Fire in the Desert: The True Story of the Craig Titus-Kelly Ryan Murder Mystery'' by Glenn Puit (Stephens Press, February 2007) {{ISBN|978-1-932173-74-1}} * Glenn Puit, ''Fire in the Desert: The True Story of the Craig Titus-Kelly Ryan Murder Mystery'' (Stephens Press, February 2007) {{ISBN|978-1-932173-74-1}}
* ''Swift Injustice: The Craig Titus Story'' by Tracy Mitchell-Milam (TMM Publishing, published July 17, 2015) {{ISBN|978-0-578-16457-1}} * Tracy Mitchell-Milam, ''Swift Injustice: The Craig Titus Story'' (TMM Publishing, published July 17, 2015) {{ISBN|978-0-578-16457-1}}


== External links == == External links ==
*
* , Muscle Memory, competition history * , Muscle Memory, competition history
* , Grand jury indictment of Craig Titus, Kelly Ryan, and Anthony Gross, * , Grand jury indictment of Craig Titus, Kelly Ryan, and Anthony Gross


{{DEFAULTSORT:Titus, Craig}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Titus, Craig}}
Line 94: Line 93:
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
Line 100: Line 98:
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 23:06, 22 November 2024

American murderer (born 1965)
This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.
Find sources: "Craig Titus" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Craig Michael Titus (born January 14, 1965, in Wyandotte, Michigan) is an American convicted murderer. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and arson in the death of 28-year-old Melissa James on December 14, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada; Melissa had been a personal assistant to him and his wife, Kelly Ryan. He was sentenced to 21 to 55 years in prison in 2008.

He was a former professional bodybuilder.

Early life

Titus was born in 1965 in Wyandotte, Michigan and lived most of his early life in Riverview, near Detroit. He is of Greek descent. He has a younger brother, Kevin, and a younger sister, Nicole. Titus went to public schools. He played high school football but quit because he felt he was too small, at 5'6". He also wrestled in high school.

Career

When Titus graduated from high school, he was 5'6" and 140 lbs. By the age of 21, he was 5'8" and 185 lbs. He began to see good results from weight training and decided to become a bodybuilder.

His first bodybuilding competition was the 1988 Houston Bodybuilding Championships. He won the Men's Open middleweight class and the overall title. Over the next several years of placing among top finishers in competitions, he established himself by 1996 and was accepted into the professional ranks of the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation. He continued to compete into the 2000s, often placing among the top ten in his class. (See list below.)

Criminal convictions

Titus had difficulties with controlled substances. In April 1995 in Louisiana, Titus pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute ecstasy. He was sentenced to 16 months' house arrest via monitoring with an electronic anklet. In July 1997, Titus was sentenced to 21 months in prison for violating his probation by using anabolic steroids.

Marriages

In 2000, he remarried, to Kelly Ryan, a fitness competitor, in Clark County, Nevada. They had gotten to know each other through competitions. For a time, they had lived in Southern California.

Murder of Melissa James

On December 14, 2005, the charred, gagged and bound body of 28-year-old Melissa James was found in the trunk of a burning Jaguar in the Nevada desert. A trucker had reported the car to authorities, who put out the fire before all evidence was destroyed.

After tracing the car to Kelly Ryan, the police interviewed both her and her husband Titus. Melissa James was their live-in personal assistant. The police released the couple, pending more investigation. They fled across country to Massachusetts. Titus had admitted to detectives of having had an affair with James, but said he and his wife had ended their working relationship with her, claiming she had embezzled from them.

After a nine-day investigation and manhunt, police apprehended the couple and their alleged accomplice, Anthony Gross, near Boston. They were promptly extradited to Las Vegas, Nevada and arrested on charges of murder of James, kidnapping, and arson.

In February 2006, Titus and Ryan were denied bail. On March 29, each pled not guilty to a felony charge of killing Melissa James. The charge carried the possibility of the death penalty.

Days before their murder trial was set to begin in Las Vegas in June 2008, Titus and Ryan each pled guilty on May 30, 2008 to various charges related to James's death. They had made plea deals with the prosecutor to avoid capital charges that risked the death penalty. Titus pled guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and arson.

On August 22, 2008, Titus was recorded as convicted of second-degree murder, kidnapping, and arson. He was sentenced to 21 to 55 years in prison. He is incarcerated at Lovelock Correctional Center, a state prison in Nevada.

Ryan had pled guilty to arson and battery with a deadly weapon with significant bodily harm. She was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 3–13 years in prison.

Competitions and titles

  • 2005 IFBB Iron Man Pro—6th
  • 2004 IFBB GNC Show Of Strength—6th
  • 2004 IFBB Florida Xtreme Pro Challenge—7th
  • 2004 IFBB Grand Prix Australia—6th
  • 2004 IFBB Arnold Classic And Internationals—6th
  • 2004 IFBB Iron Man Pro—5th
  • 2003 IFBB Night Of Champions—3rd
  • 2002 IFBB GNC Show Of Strength—7th
  • 2002 Mr. Olympia—11th
  • 2002 Night of Champions XIV—5th
  • 2002 Southwest Pro—7th
  • 2001 British Grand Prix—9th
  • 2001 Mr. Olympia—12th
  • 2001 Arnold Classic—6th
  • 2001 San Francisco Grand Prix—2nd
  • 2001 Ironman Pro Invitational—5th
  • 2000 Toronto Pro—5th
  • 2000 Arnold Classic—10th
  • 2000 Night of Champions—11th
  • 2000 Ironman Pro Invitational—8th
  • 1996 NPC USA Championships—1st Heavyweight and Overall (earning pro card in the IFBB)
  • 1995 NPC USA Championships—2nd Heavyweight
  • 1994 NPC National Championships—2nd Heavyweight
  • 1994 NPC USA Championships—2nd Heavyweight
  • 1993 NPC USA Championships—4th Heavyweight
  • 1991 NPC Ironman/Ironmaiden—Overall
  • 1990 NPC Tournament of Champions—3rd Heavyweight
  • 1990 NPC Western Cup—Overall
  • 1989 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships—Overall
  • 1988 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships—1st Middleweight and Overall

See also

References

  1. "Bodybuilding.com - Craig Titus Pro Bodybuilding Profile". Bodybuilders.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  2. ^ "Offender Detail Record". Nevada Offender Tracking Information System. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  3. Daniels, Lisa; Curreri, Frank (28 December 2005). "Bodybuilders accused of murder". NBC News.com. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  4. ^ Curreri, Frank (n.d.). "Craig Titus Murder Charge". Criticalbench.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  5. Mower, Lawrence (31 May 2008). "Bodybuilder admits killing". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  6. "Pro Bodybuilders Sentenced in Aides". News.aol.com.
  7. "Pro Bodybuilders Sentenced in Aide's 2005 Death in Vegas". Las Vegas, Nevada: 8 News NOW. August 22, 2008. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  8. "Bodybuilder, wife get prison in slaying". Las Vegas Review-Journal. August 23, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  9. "Bodybuilders Plead Guilty In Gruesome Slay". CBS News. May 31, 2008.

Further reading

  • Glenn Puit, Fire in the Desert: The True Story of the Craig Titus-Kelly Ryan Murder Mystery (Stephens Press, February 2007) ISBN 978-1-932173-74-1
  • Tracy Mitchell-Milam, Swift Injustice: The Craig Titus Story (TMM Publishing, published July 17, 2015) ISBN 978-0-578-16457-1

External links

  • Contest history, Muscle Memory, competition history
  • Indictment, Grand jury indictment of Craig Titus, Kelly Ryan, and Anthony Gross
Categories: