SHELBY, N.C.,None — Lucy Dye Johnson was four months pregnant when firefighters discovered the Kings Mountain Hospital nurse's burned body in her bed.
But the unborn child would not be buried with his mother. A nine-month investigation ensued, and in the process, the fetus was removed from her womb.
Johnson was cremated and buried. Her child was tested and entered into evidence.
The unborn child's father, Michael Lane Mead, would later be arrested and stand trial for Johnson's killing.
Mead, found not guilty on the anniversary of Johnson's birthday, did not know that his baby had been locked away for three years leading up to the trial, not until he heard it in court.
"I didn't know he was a tagged piece of evidence," said Mead.
Mead picked up that valuable piece of evidence last week, along with a cellphone and two computer hard drives.
Now reunited with his unborn son, Mead named the child and turned him over to a funeral home for cremation. The fetus will be buried in a private Baptist ceremony, said Mead.
The baby, Michael Dwayne Mead, carries the name of his grandfather, according to Mead. He wanted to honor Lucy Johnson's father with the name.
While putting the child to rest could provide closure for the family, Mead said he was shocked to find out his baby had not already been buried.
"I felt like he should've been buried with his mother three years ago," said the 42-year-old South Carolinian.
Mead was engaged to Johnson at the time of her death.
The Gaston County mother of two was shot twice in the head before she was set on fire on July 16, 2008.
Several men were investigated before police charged Mead.
Mead maintained his innocence in the years leading up to his trial and continues to point the finger at Johnson's ex-boyfriend, Jim Spelock.
Mead's defense attorneys took that same stance while casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution's theory during the six-week trial that was held in Mecklenburg County.
The jury deliberated for less than two days before acquitting Mead of the murder and arson charges, but police still believe they charged the right man.
Johnson's uncle, Ken Dye, also believes Mead killed his niece and said jurors would have agreed if they had been presented with all the evidence.
Motions by defense attorney Lisa Dubs kept some written statements and evidence from going before the jury. Those elements were key pieces of the puzzle to prove Mead's guilt, according to Dye.
"We want to get out the real truth, what was suppressed in court by his lawyer," said Dye. "We don't accept the verdict. We accept the jury's decision based on what went in front of them."
‘20/20' segment in the works
In an effort to "get out the real truth," Dye and several of Johnson's family members have agreed to go public with their allegations on "20/20."
The family was contacted by the national news program recently. They expect to participate in interviews this week, said Dye.
Mead also has agreed to talk to national TV shows about the killing and consequent trial, but he would not reveal which networks. He said there is a motive behind his willingness to speak out
"I'm willing to talk to the national news if for no other reason than to put pressure on Gaston County to arrest James Spelock. I will never stop until then," said Mead.
Dye realizes that Mead cannot be tried again for his niece's killing. But he hopes being candid about Mead's character and revealing suppressed evidence could prevent another slaying.
"If it can save another girl's life by exposing the truth about him, that's why we're doing it," said Dye. "To me, it's not over until the truth gets out. Then I can let it go."
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