By CINDY BISHOP
cindy.bishop@gaflnews.com
CORDELE — Two people charged with murdering a 16-day-old infant in the fall of 2007 were indicted by a Crisp County grand jury earlier this month and are scheduled to appear in Crisp Superior Court on March 13.
The baby’s uncle, Steve Lee Williams Jr., who was 19 when he was arrested in late September, and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Shameka Nicole Williams, both of 601-B E. Sixth Ave. were arrested in connection with the murder of the infant. They were charged with one count each of murder, felony murder and cruelty to children in the first degree.
The charges were the result of an investigation that began on Aug. 9, 2007 by detectives with the Cordele Police Department. Det. Charlie McDowell responded to Crisp Regional Hospital in reference to a reported case of child abuse, possibly shaken baby syndrome.
Authorities with the Crisp County Department of Family and Children Services met with the detective and informed him that the baby had been beaten and was suffering from brain injuries.
The baby was on life-support and was later transferred to a hospital in Macon, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
During his investigation, McDowell learned from the child’s mother that her baby had been left in the care of her brother and his girlfriend.
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were called in to assist with the investigation which revealed the baby died as a result of abuse.
Another case scheduled to be heard is that of the State of Georgia vs. Marque Shamar Palmer, who in June of 2007, ran from police. He was caught and found to be in possession of some 15 pounds of marijuana.
As a result of this incident, Palmer was charged with trafficking in marijuana, driving an improperly equipped vehicle, disobeying a traffic control device, reckless driving and fleeing or attempting to elude police officers.
According to District Attorney Denise Fachini, two trials were held this past week before the honorable Judge Robert W. Chasteen.
Fredrick McCloud was sentenced to 50 years in prison with 30 to serve on several cases, one of the most recent being that he and another inmate attempted to smuggle drugs into the county jail.
He was being held there on prior charges of aggravated assault in connection to a drive-by shooting and several drug charges.
Also, Rodriguez Johnson was sentenced to five years, three to serve, for a felony obstruction of an officer charge involving Crisp County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenny Purvis. Johnson also had several prior arrests on various charges.
Local news
Two indicted for murder in 2007 death of infant
- Local news
-
-
Jones named Crisp teacher of year
LaCrystal Jones, Crisp County High School's teacher of the year, was named system-wide winner of the top honor during a program at Crisp County Middle School Thursday morning.
-
Police make arrests for armed robbery, theft by deception
Police have provided no details for a couple of arrests officers made in non-routine cases listed in a press release reporting the department’s Wednesday activity.
-
Four sheriff's candidates qualify
By 3 p.m. Thursday, four candidates had qualified to run for sheriff of Wilcox County.
-
Qualifying begins with several seats contested
Qualifying for the July 31 partisan and non-partisan primary elections began Wednesday, and activity has been brisk in the tri-county area so far.
-
Crisp Superior Court clerk receives award
Jean H. Rogers, clerk of the Superior Court of Crisp County, is the recipient of the Stetson E. Bennett Superior Court Clerk of the Year award for the State of Georgia.
-
Suspect still being sought in $750,000 marijuana seizure in Wilcox
The search continues for a suspect wanted for questioning in connection with the seizure of $750,000 worth of marijuana last Thursday at a home on May Road.
-
Police called to investigate burglary, thefts
City police have been asked to investigate a burglary and two thefts that took place on Monday or Tuesday.
-
Crisp 4-H shooter takes top honors
Nikki Smith, a member of the Crisp County 4-H .22 Rimfire Team finished 1st out of 75 shooters with a score of 594 out of a possible 600 at the state match at Rock Eagle 4-H Center near here.
-
Convenience store clerk, resident wounded in early Sunday shootings
A convenience food store owner leaving his business for the night and a man inside his home were wounded in shootings that occurred within a span of just over two hours early Sunday morning.
-
Burnette passes
Long-time resident and community leader Jean Burnette passed away Sunday. Burnette served the City of Cordele first as assistant city administrator from 1974 until 2000 when she became city administrator. She retained that position until her retirement in 2010.
- More Local news Headlines
-
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
