SUPERIOR COURT
A 17-year-old arrested twice in seven months and now facing serious charges was denied bond in Jones County Superior Court.
Antonio Davonta Williams was arrested Oct. 6 and charged with aggravated child molestation. He was in court Nov. 9 asking for bond, represented by defense attorney Elizabeth Lane.
District Attorney Wright Barksdale prosecuted the case, and Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Trammell presided over the bond hearing.
Lane told the court her client had a previous arrest in March at Jones County High School for affray. She said he was expelled as a result and had been attending GED classes.
The attorney said Williams had no means to leave and is driven around by his mother.
“He was about to start a job when he was arrested,” she said.
Lane asked the court for reasonable bond.
A report of Williams’ March 6 arrest for affray lists him as one of five males involved in a fight on the blacktop of JCHS. Two of those involved in the fight were juveniles, and the defendant was one of two who were 17.
The attorney said the complainant in the molestation case had previously made false claims.
Trammell said the hearing was not to consider whether the defendant committed the crime.
Lane countered that she hated to see a young man spend time in jail in a case that may never be prosecuted.
“I do not condone underage sexual activity,” she stated.
The attorney told the court the family has limited means and asked for conditions of no contact.
Barksdale pointed out that Williams was out on bond for the charge of affray when he was arrested for aggravated child molestation. He said, in the last 10 months, he was arrested twice.
“That’s a good argument that he is a risk to reoffend,” the DA said.
Barksdale said he would try to get the case in front of the grand jury next month. He said he would accept any information the defense could provide.
“If we get it indicted, they can file for a speedy trial,” he said.
Trammell said the alleged victim is 13, which would mean the charge would be a felony. Lane argued, however, that the Romeo and Juliet statute would make the charge a misdemeanor.
The judge did not agree. Barksdale said the case is new, but he would do all he can to indict the case in December.
Trammell denied bond but advised Lane, if the case is not indicted next month, she could come back before the court for reconsideration for bond.
The reason listed on the order to deny bond was the seriousness of the charge.
