Local News
Murder suspects granted bond
VALDOSTA — Two murder suspects have been granted bond in Lowndes County Superior Court.
Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine confirmed that 29-year-old Brandon Lee Thompson and 20-year-old Lorenzo Bernard Countee Jr. were each granted $100,000 bond by Judge H. Arthur “Mac” McLane Tuesday.
“I am surprised that bond was set,” Prine said. “But I respect Judge McLane’s decision because he has always been fair and impartial.”
Thompson has been in Lowndes County Jail since October after being charged with murder and cruelty toward children in the death of his girlfriend’s daughter, Abriana Thomas.
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, emergency medical services were dispatched to 5200 Sequani Circle in Lake Park to find Thomas unresponsive.
The child was initially transported to South Georgia Medical Center for treatment. She was then transported to Shand’s Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., by an area Life Flight program. Thomas succumbed to injuries the next day. A subsequent autopsy performed at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Atlanta determined that the child died of blunt force trauma.
Thompson’s lawyer, Attorney Charles A. Wetherington previously told The Times that Thompson had nothing to do with Thomas’ death and described the suspect as a loving father. Thompson lived with his girlfriend, Amanda, in Lake Park with her three small children, as well as his two small sons, both of whom he was awarded full custody of in a divorce proceeding, Wetherington said.
“On the night of the tragic accident, the family ordered pizza and Amanda left to pick it up with Brandon’s 2-year-old son,” Wetherington explained. “Brandon remained at home with the four other children watching television.”
Wetherington said that Abriana had to “go potty,” so she walked down the hall to use the bathroom.
“Moments later, Brandon said he heard a large thud from the bathroom. He went into the room and found her lying on the floor. He tried to pick her up and there was no response. He then realized something had gone tragically wrong.”
In response to the Wetherington’s stance that Thompson is innocent, Prine said that evidence collected during the investigation shows otherwise.
“The arrest was made based on testimony from witnesses and the pathology report from the crime lab in Atlanta,” Prine said.
Countee has been in jail since August after being charged with murder in the shooting death 24-year-old Antonio Jermaine Mitchell and aggravated assault of Desmond Jones.
Countee was one of six people arrested in connection with the shooting. Others include Lewis Mitchell Jr., 19, Cheryl Core, 19, Aianza Wheeler, 18, Raynard Reid, 17, and Michael Mitchell, 18.
The shooting occurred Sunday, July 5, at Stone Creek Apartments, located at 1197 Melody Lane.
About 1:30 a.m., Valdosta police were dispatched to the apartment complex to find Mitchell dead inside a vehicle in the complex parking lot, along with an injured man, Desmond Jones, near one of the apartment buildings. Both men suffered multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies, according to Valdosta police.
Jones was given first aid and transported to an area hospital, where treated and later released.
Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney Cathy Helms previously told The Times that 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.
- Local News
-
-
Nathan Deal visits Valdosta
Republican Nathan Deal stopped in Valdosta on Thursday, staying just long enough to answer a few questions and make a brief statement to both the media and his supporters.
-
Brother shoots brother in Cook
A 13-year-old boy is dead, the victim of a single gunshot wound to the face. His 14-year-old brother has been identified as the shooter, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. However, the investigation continues, Cook County Sheriff Johnny Daughtry said Thursday.
-
Undercover Uncovered: To save his ministry, man shares his undercover past
Jim Harnage knew something was wrong when several participating families suddenly backed out of a new program within his Silent Ministries.
He soon learned why.
Some of the participants told Harnage that they had heard he once worked undercover with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They asked him if this was true. Harnage did not initially know how to reply to the question.
The reason? -
Sharper Fest 2010 scheduled for this weekend
With a theme of “Walk Against Violence,” Sharper Fest 2010 is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 1.
In addition to an anti-violence message, the day promises “the largest kids’ festival in the South,” with free bounce houses and slide rides throughout the day, says organizer Dexter Sharper. Participants can also expect characters, face-painting and children’s train rides. - Night Moves for Friday July 30, 2010
-
Early voting underway in primary runoff
A total of 84 people cast ballots on Thursday, the first day of early voting in the 2010 General Primary/Special Election runoff. Of those, 72 were Republicans and 12 were Democrats.
-
Dive Right In: Wild Adventures diving show makes a splash
At 31 feet above the water’s surface, Manuel Mendes pauses on the metal tower.
-
Senators battle for Wanat
A group of politicians representing a broad spectrum of Americans took up the fight of a few last week.
-
Back Behind Bars: Authorities locate inmates accidentally released
Three Lowndes County jail inmates accidentally released a week ago into the general public are back behind bars.
- Night Moves for Thursday July 29, 2010
- More Local News Headlines
-
