MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Police believe they now have the man responsible for the death of Murfreesboro resident Ellis Wayne Smith in custody.
In March of last year, Smith’s body was discovered in the basement of a vacant home on Southeast Broad Street. He was 46 years-old at the time of death. An autopsy concluded he was the victim of a homicide.
Murfreesboro Police Chief Glenn Chrisman said Monday that his department received new information in the case over the weekend and quickly developed a suspect.
“We were able to bring a suspect in by the name of Michael Edward Tusie. He was interviewed and has been charged with Second-Degree Homicide in that case.”
Police say it appears Ellis was killed as the two men argued over an EBT food stamp card.
Tusie is being held without bond in the Rutherford County jail. He will appear in General Sessions Court on September 19.