Pinetree Country Club alleged ‘killer’ accused of possessing shank in jail

Bryan Anthony Rhoden, the defendant accused of killing three people in 2021 who were found dead at Kennesaw’s Pinetree Country Club, is accused of possessing a shank, loose tobacco and cigarettes at the Cobb County jail.

Rhoden, 26, is accused of possessing contraband items while incarcerated. The alleged contraband includes a seven-inch metal shank, described as a homemade knife, with a makeshift handle, which was  created by wrapping a torn bed sheet around the base. An arrest warrant issued by the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office said this item was reportedly discovered underneath Rhoden’s mattress at the jail on September 18th. In addition, Rhoden is said to have had nine hand-rolled cigarettes containing loose leaf tobacco stored in a plastic bag beneath his mattress. Also reportedly found was a bag containing 2.5 grams of loose leaf tobacco mingling with food items. Possession of such items in a jail setting is a violation.

Rhoden, who is awaiting trial on charges of murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault, now faces three counts of possessing items prohibited for inmates. He , according to jail records. 

Rhoden is facing the death penalty for his alleged role in the July 2021 kidnapping and slaying of Paul Pierson, 76, of Kansas, and Henry Valdez, 46, of California. He is accused of binding the two men in Jonesboro, driving them to the Kennesaw golf course and shooting them there. The third victim — Gene Siller, who worked as Pinetree’s golf pro — is believed by investigators to have been shot and killed because he came upon an active crime when he went to investigate a truck on the course. Rhoden pleaded not guilty in the killings last December.Rhoden remains in custody at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center and