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Knoxville man now charged with murder in triple slaying

Desmon Rhea is being held in jail in lieu of $2 million bond.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — A Knoxville man now faces formal murder charges in the March 8 slayings of three women.

Desmon Rhea, 24, was being held in Knox County custody in lieu of $2 million bond. He's been in custody since hours after the killings.

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Rhea is accused in Knox County Criminal Court of first-degree murder in the deaths of Barbara Rogers, 57, and 55-year-old Mildred Blackwell, in the home they shared on Trousdale Road. Records suggest Rhea sometimes used that as an address as well as a nearby residence.

He's also charged with killing Blackwell's daughter,  29-year-old Juliana White, was found shot to death on Division Street.

Rhea, who has a prior arrest record for violence against women, also is charged in the nine-count indictment with aggravated child endangerment, using a gun during a felony and the aggravated burglary of Rogers' home.

Knoxville police have said Rhea and the victims knew each other, but haven't released a motive.

He has an April 15 court appearance.

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