VIDEO: Defense attorneys seek dismissal of indictments
August 8, 2019
"EATONTON, Ga. — Defense attorneys for Ricky Dubose and Donnie Rowe argued in an unprecedented pre-trial hearing Thursday before two judges that grand jury indictments should be dismissed against their clients.
Separate death penalty murder trials have been set for later this year for Dubose and Rowe in Putnam County Superior Court in Eatonton. The two prison inmates are accused of shooting to death Sgt. Curtis Billue and Sgt. Christopher Monica, both officers with the Georgia Department of Corrections, during an escape from a state prison transport bus outside Eatonton on June 13, 2017....
The joint appearance by Dubose and Rowe was the first time since they have appeared together in court since they were recaptured and transported from Rutherford County, Tennessee after their daring daylight escape and the nationwide manhunt that lasted three days.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to felony charges against them.
Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Stephen A. Bradley objected to Thursday’s joint hearing before Superior Court Judges Alison T. Burleson and Brenda H. Trammell. Bradley contended that the pretrial hearings should be held separately. Despite his objection, the joint hearing went on as planned.
Burleson is overseeing the
Dubose case, which is scheduled for trial on Sept. 30 in Putnam County Superior Court....
During the joint pre-trial hearing, Pittman and Levine asked the respective judges in their cases to “quash” the indictments against their clients.
Defense attorneys contend that the indictments should be dismissed because of the unconstitutional composition of the grand jury, among other reasons....
Putnam County Superior Court Clerk Sheila H. Perry, along with Grady County Superior Court Clerk Debbie Kines testified at Thursday’s hearing concerning how grand jury lists are comprised.
Another witness called to testify during the hearing was Jeffrey Martin, classified as an expert witness. He is a well-known mathematician and consultant on jury pools and statistical issues and lives in Atlanta.
Both defendants were seen writing notes at various times during the day-long hearing, amid the presence of heavy security from members of the Georgia Department of Corrections Interdiction Response Team, as well as deputies and detectives from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office."
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