Court delayed for man charged in girlfriend's death

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Dennis Weyers

A 46-year-old Chattanooga man's court date on charges connected to the death of his girlfriend was moved so he can either hire an attorney or have one appointed.

Dennis Weyers faces charges of criminal homicide in the Dec. 26, 2012, death of Robin Sanders, 51. His next scheduled court date is Feb. 5.

Police responded to a call from Weyers, Sanders' live-in boyfriend, at the woman's 103 Cross St. home at 4:37 p.m. on Dec. 26.

Weyers told emergency workers that the pair had stayed up drinking the previous night and had gone to bed at about 11 p.m.

He said when he awoke at 4:20 p.m. he found Sanders lying face down in their bed and she was unresponsive.

Chattanooga police found numerous blood stains on the bed sheets and blankets and bruises on Sanders' arms, back and legs.

Weyers told police he couldn't explain the bruises and said he'd been the only person with Sanders since Dec. 23. He also changed some of his account of how he found Sanders' body from what he told a 911 operator.

Police arrested Weyers on Dec. 28. His bond was set at $800,000.

Hamilton County Medical Examiner Dr. James Metcalfe ruled Sanders' death a homicide. The doctor told police her injuries were consistent with a "physical attack."

Sanders was the last of eight women killed in Chattanooga last year, which is twice the number of female homicides for 2011. There were 24 homicides for all of 2012.

Sanders, a LaFayette, Ga., native, was buried in LaFayette Cemetery on Thursday. She is survived by three daughters, two sons, two sisters, one brother and three grandchildren, according to her obituary published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.