LAKELAND — A man charged with the murder of a Lakeland teenager last year has been released on bond.
Lanier County Sheriff Nick Norton said that Kellen Dion Larke, 23, was released Monday after Lanier County Bonding Securities secured the appropriate funds for his bond. Larke was recently granted a $400,000 bond in Lanier County Superior Court by Judge Dane Perkins.
Larke has been charged and indicted on malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime for the Sept. 3, 2008, shooting death of Demono “Money Mo” Nelms, 18.
Larke’s bond comes with several conditions — a search clause, no alcohol consumption, no firearm possession and continued medical treatment.
He is also ordered to remain in Richmond County and not leave the state, report all employment efforts to the court and have no contact with the victim’s family or witnesses for the state.
At approximately 11 p.m. on the night of the shooting, Lakeland police and emergency medical services personnel were dispatched to the 600 block of Peeler Avenue in response to a shooting, said Lakeland Police Chief Robbie Grantham.
Members of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Department of Corrections’ Special Operations K-9 Unit and Lanier County Sheriff’s Office responded to offer assistance as well.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered Nelms had been shot in the chest. He was transported to Louis Smith Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Grantham said the shooting was the result of a physical altercation that escalated.
Larke was taken into custody and charged with murder on the night of the incident.
According to Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney Cathy Helms, bond for serious violent felonies, such as murder, can only be granted in superior court. In addition, Georgia law requires that a bond be granted if a defendant is not indicted within 90 days of his or her arrest, even if the defendant is charged with murder.
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Murder suspect out of jail
Man charged with killing Lakeland teenager in 2008 granted bond
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