GA - Mary & Elwyn Crocker Jr, both 14, starved, beaten & buried, Effingham Cnty, 20 Dec 2018 Arrests

[SeesSeas]

'Cool! How deep?': Family allegedly texted about burying children they killed in backyard

Texts revealed in court detail how a Georgia father allegedly texted his wife's mom, "Almost done burying Mary's body" after killing his daughter, to which she allegedly replied, "Cool! How deep?"

lawandcrime.com

‘Cool! How deep?’: Family texts back and forth about burying children they murdered in backyard, dad boasts about being ‘almost done’ with daughter, cops say​

May 21st, 2025, 9:30 am
[...]
Defense attorneys for the family have been trying to prevent the use of crime scene photos, arguing that they are too graphic and would overwhelm the jury.
[...]
Prosecutor Matthew Breedon argued that the admission of photos was something that could be objected to at the trial, but not now.

“This case was indicted in 2019. We’ve had motion hearings for six years,” Breedon said. “I think this week is the week to get this case moving forward where it needs to be, we are at a point where we need to move forward.”
[...]

 

[Niner]

Docket updates

Elwyn:
Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
552 Miscellaneous CLERKSHEARINGNOTES - clerkshearingnotes - day 3 of motions before judge hube... court reporter sherry wages.. matthew breedon & christine barker for the state.. jerilyn bell & kara stangl for the defense.. defendant present.. wtoc present with pool camera.. various motions cont'd to 06/16/25 motions heard 25a & 86a
05/21/2025

553 Notice motions ##12 and 41: notice of trial judge pursuant to defendants motions #12 and #41 for disclosure of any possible basis for recusal 05/21/2025 Anderson, Kathy

554 Order motion # 67 - order granting defendant's motion #67 to strike state's notice of aggravating circumstances due to failure to state a legally valid statutory aggravating circumstance
05/21/2025 Anderson, Kathy

555 Order scheduling order regarding matters set for hearing on june 16, 2025
05/21/2025 Anderson, Kathy

556 Order scheduling order regarding parties supplemental daubert motions to be filed by june 2, 2025 by 5 p.m. 05/21/2025 Anderson, Kathy

Kim
Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
374 Order scheduling order regarding parties' supplemental daubert briefs to be filed by june 2, 2025 by 5 p.m. 05/21/2025 Anderson, Kathy

Mark
Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
401 Order scheduling order regarding parties' supplemental daubert briefs to be filed by june 2, 2025 at 5 p.m. 05/21/2025 Anderson, Kathy

for all:
Events
Event Type Event Description Court Date
Calendar criminal motion calendar - various motions hearings 06/16/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - joint motions 5/19-5/21 05/21/2025 09:00 AM

Link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

 

[Chimera]

'Cool! How deep?': Family allegedly texted about burying children they killed in backyard

Texts revealed in court detail how a Georgia father allegedly texted his wife's mom, "Almost done burying Mary's body" after killing his daughter, to which she allegedly replied, "Cool! How deep?"

lawandcrime.com

‘Cool! How deep?’: Family texts back and forth about burying children they murdered in backyard, dad boasts about being ‘almost done’ with daughter, cops say​

May 21st, 2025, 9:30 am
[...]
Defense attorneys for the family have been trying to prevent the use of crime scene photos, arguing that they are too graphic and would overwhelm the jury.
[...]
Prosecutor Matthew Breedon argued that the admission of photos was something that could be objected to at the trial, but not now.

“This case was indicted in 2019. We’ve had motion hearings for six years,” Breedon said. “I think this week is the week to get this case moving forward where it needs to be, we are at a point where we need to move forward.”
[...]

Red emphasis mine.
I disagree with the defense atty's.

Imo-- the defense wants the full horror to be mitigated somewhat by not allowing the jury to see for themselves what the kids suffered !
Sorry for the jury but I believe they should be allowed to see what was done to these precious young teens.

Having served on jury duty twice before although not child cases and not for murders, I feel that if the children suffered it, I can bear seeing it.
My opinion is that it's one thing to hear about starved, beaten & buried which was what was done to young Mary and Elwyn ; but to see photos lays out exactly the heinous actions of the monsters who committed the acts.
Imo.

 

[Niner]

Elwyn

Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description FIling Date Filer
557 Order order to unseal transcript of ex parte hearing 01/27/2023 05/23/2025 Anderson, Kathy


link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

 

[Niner]

Docket updates

Elwyn:

Filings
Dt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
558 Order (10) order granting motion to prevent ex parte communication 05/27/2025 Anderson, Kathy

559 Order order granting the state's motions to depose witnesses on 10/14/25 05/29/2025 Anderson, Kathy


Kim:

Filings
Dt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
375 Order order granting the state's motions to depose witnesses 05/29/2025 Anderson, Kathy


Mark:

Filings
Dkt # Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
402 Order order granting the state's motions to depose witnesses 05/29/2025 Anderson, Kathy

403 Discovery state's discovery disclosure 05/29/2025 Breedon, Matthew


for All:

Events
Event Type Event Description Court Date
Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion to depose 10/14/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion hearing : def.'s motion #91 and def.'s motion #115a 06/16/2025 09:00 AM

link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

 

[Niner]

Looks like the Judge was busy with the motions - at least for Elwyn - denied, denied....

Docket updates
Elwyn:

Filings
Dkt# Doc TYpe Description Filing Date Filer
560 Order order granting the state's motions to depose captain rick dailey and roy prater and notice of depositions (date : october 14, 2025 at 9 am) 05/29/2025 Anderson, Kathy

561 Order motion #10 -further order on defendant's renewed motion #10 to prevent ex parte communication between the state and the court 05/30/2025 Anderson, Kathy

562 Order order on rule 22 request- granted to wtoc-tv 05/30/2025 Anderson, Kathy

563 Brief motion #121 - state's post-hearing response to daubert hearings on pathologist and forensic anthropologist findings and conclusions 06/03/2025 Barker, Christine S

564 Order motion #68 - order granting def's motion to adjourn at a reasonable time- granted
06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

565 Order motion # 70 - order granting def's motion for a daily transcript of all voir dire proceedings- granted 06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

566 Order motion # 73 - order granting def's motion for an order requiring the state to give notice of all subpoenaed witnesses- granted 06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

567 Order motion #74 - order denying def's motion to exclude law enforcement from appearing in courtroom in uniform or wearing identifiable shields- denied 06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

568 Order motion # 75 - order denying def's motion to extend time for closing argument- denied
06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

569 Order motion #76 - order denying def's motion for impartial witness monitor-denied
06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

570 Order motion #83 - order denying def's motion to limit use of the word murder- denied
06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

571 Order motion # 89 - order denying def's motion to randomly arrange jury panel after individual voir dire- denied 06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

572 Order motion #90 -order denying def's motion to instruct jury at start of trial about grand jury indictment procedures- denied 06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

573 Order motion # 92 - order denying def's motion for an order adopting specific procedures for setting forth batson challenges- denied 06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

574 Order motion # 93 - order granting def's motion to permit the defense to exercise challenges for cause outside presence of jury panel- granted 06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

575 Order order on state's motion in limine regarding digital media presentation
06/03/2025 Anderson, Kathy

576 Order (62) order denying defendant's motion to suppress arrest warrants 06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

577 Order (94) order denying def's motion to expand the time for jury selection
06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

578 Order (95) order denying defendant's motion for additional peremptory challenges
06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

579 Order (96) order denying defendant's motion to preclude preliminary jury qualification questions
06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

580 Order (97) order granting defendant's motion to require the court to establish the race, gender, and ethnicity of every prospective juror 06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

581 Order (98) order denying defendant's motion to restrict judicial rehabilitation of potential jurors regarding death and life qualification 06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

582 Order (99) order denying defendant's motion to require all juror notes to be made part of the record
06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

583 Order (100) order denying defendant's motion to permit defense to exercise peremptory strikes outside presence of members of venire 06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

584 Order (101) order denying defendant's motion to prevent restricting the jury to persons willing to impose the death penalty 06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

585 Order (103) order granting defendant's motion for individual voir dire and sequestration of jurors during voir dire 06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy

586 Order (117) order granting defendant's motion for juror questionnaire 06/04/2025 Anderson, Kathy


Kim:
Filings
Dkt# Doc TYpe Description Filing Date Filer
376 Order order granting the state's motions to depose witnesses 05/29/2025 Anderson, Kathy

377 Brief motion 4.22 b -post hearing brief on admissibility of expert testimony regarding cause and manner of death 06/02/2025 Studelska, Nathanial

378 Brief motion #4.22 - state's post--hearing response to daubert hearings on pathologist and forensic anthropologist findins and conclusions 06/03/2025 Barker, Christine S


Mark:
FIlings
Dkt# Doc TYpe Description Filing Date Filer
404 Brief motion 4.22 b -post hearing brief on admissibilyu of expert testimony regarding cause and manner of death 05/30/2025 Sincox, Allan

405 Brief motion # 87 -state's post-hearing response to daubert hearings on pathologist and forensic anthropologist findings and conclusions 06/03/2025 Barker, Christine S


for all:

Events
Event Type Event Description Court Date
Calendar criminal motion calendar - depositions for cpt. rick dailey and roy prater 10/14/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - various motions hearings 06/16/2025 09:00 AM

link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

 

[Niner]

docket updates - busy Judge!!

Elwyn:
Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
587 Discovery state's discovery disclosure 06/05/2025 Breedon, Matthew

588 Order rule 22 wsav-tv - order on rule 22 request- denied (wsav) 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

589 Order motion # 60- order denying def's motion to suppres statements and for jackson-denno hearing
06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

590 Order motion # 84 -order denying defendant's motion #84 to strike as unconstitutional the georgia statue providing for the imposition of the death penalty and their aplication to this case because the death penalty is arbitrarily applied 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

591 Order motion # 102 - order granting defendant's motion #102 for an order not to identify alternate jurors until deliberations begin 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

592 Order motion # 105- order denying defendant's motion #105 for compensation at current wages and reimbursement to primary caregivers for day care costs 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

593 Order motion # 107 - order denying defendant's motion #107 to bar improper closing argument by the state 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

594 Order motion # 108 - order denying def'endant's mption n to limit conversations between jurors and bailiffs 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

595 Order motion # 109 - order granting defendant's motion to administer bailiff's oath of office publicly and in presence of all jurors 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

596 Order motion # 110 - order denying defendant's motion for an order appointing non-law enforcement personnel as jury bailiffs 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

597 Order motion # 111 - order denying defendant's motion for instructions to prevent excessive displays of emotion in the courtroom 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

598 Order motion # 112 -order denying defendant's motion to prohibit effingham county sheriff and effingham county sheriff office employees from having contact with jurors 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

599 Order motion # 113 - order denying defendant's motion to prohibit prosecutorial misconduct and to limit the prosecutor's opening statement and closing argument 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

600 Order motion # 114 - order denying defendant's motion w# 114 for an instruction to the jury after selection regarding the trial process in a potential life without parole/deathpenalty casse 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

601 Order motion # 27 - order denying defendant's motion for an order requiring disclosure of all information regarding state experts, testing and examination 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

602 Order motion # 61 - order denying defendant's motion to suppress elwyn crocker's statements and motion for an order excluding involuntary admissions and conffessions 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

603 Order motion # 85 - order granting in part and denying in part defendant's motion #85 to prevent introduction of non-statutory aggravating evidence including victim impact 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

604 Order motion # 104 - order granting in part and denying in part defendant's motion #104 for venire that represents a cross section of the community; for personal service on jurors who do not respond to summons; and for all juror excusals to be determined by the court 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

605 Order motion # 106- order denying defendant's motion # 106 to disqualify all potential jurors who knew or were acquainted with the victdims or their families 06/05/2025 Anderson, Kathy

606 Order motion # 59 -order denying defendant's motion #59 to suppress all evidence obtained in the course of any illegal search and seizure 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

607 Order motion # 72 -order denying defendant's motion # 71 to invoke the rule of sequestration prior to voir dire, to prohibit witnesses from conversing, and to enjoin the district attorney from advising witnesses of previous testimony of witness 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

608 Order motion # 77 -order denying defendant's motion #77 in limine to preclude prejudicial information in the indictment, the indictment, and the na mes of the grand jurors from being revealed to the trial jurors 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

609 Order (77) order denying def's mil to preclude prej info in indictment 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

610 Order motion # 79 - order denying defendant's motion #79 in limine for pre-trial hearing on admissibility of any hearsay offered under a necessity exception or offered to explain conduct under residual exception 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

611 Order motion # 181 - order denying defendant's motion #81 in limine to prevent any state actor or state's witness from referencing or commenting on the exercise of any constitutional rights of the defendant
06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

612 Order motion # 82- order denying defendant's motion #82 to bar the introduction of victim impact evidence , or for the pre-trial hearing for the purpose of reviewing and limiting such evidence 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

613 Order motion # 116- order denying defendant's motion # 116 to compel the state to produce documents pursuant to the united states and georgia constitutions 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

614 Order motion #119 - order denying defendant's motion #119 to protect elwyn crocker's sixth amendment right to counsel and contesting any severing of an existing joint defense agreement 06/09/2025
Anderson, Kathy

615 Order motion # 13 - order granting defendant's renewed motion #13 for disclosure of any improper bias or prejudice, grounds for any legal claim or possible basis for disqualification of district attorney, court personnel, or other state actors involved in any way in this case 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

616 Order order granting defendant's unnumbered motion to enforce order granting discovery of facts and data underlying f.b.i. dna testing 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

617 Motion motion # 123 - motion to continue june 16 motions hearings 06/09/2025 Stangl, Kara

618 Miscellaneous EMAIL - email - email from judge hube's office - motion hearings scheduled for 06/16 moved to 06/30/25 06/10/2025


Kim:
Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
379 Discovery state's discovery disclosure 06/05/2025 Breedon, Matthew


Mark:
Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
406 Discovery state's discovery disclosure 06/05/2025 Breedon, Matthew

407 Order scheduling order- motion hearings 06/09/2025 Anderson, Kathy

408 Brief reply to state's response to post-hearing brief on admissibility of expert testimony regarding cause and manner of death 06/09/2025 Sincox, Allan


Elwyn:
Events
Event Type Event Description Court Date
Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion to depose 10/14/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion hearing : def.'s motion #91 and def.'s motion #115a - rescheduled for 06/30 06/30/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion hearing : def.'s motion #91 and def.'s motion #115a - rescheduled for 06/30 06/16/2025 09:00 AM


Kim:
Events
Event Type Event Description Court Date
Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion to depose 10/14/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - various motions hearings 06/16/2025 09:00 AM


Mark:
Events
Event Type Event Description Court Date
Calendar criminal motion calendar - depositions for cpt. rick dailey and roy prater 10/14/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 08/29/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 08/28/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 08/26/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 08/18/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 08/06/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 08/04/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - various motions hearings 06/16/2025 09:00 AM


link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

 

[Niner]

More docket updates!

for Elwyn:
Filings
Dkt # Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
619 Order (123) order granting def's mtn to continue june 16, 2025 hearing 06/10/2025 Anderson, Kathy

620 Order (69) order denying def's mtn to control prejudicial publicity 06/10/2025 Anderson, Kathy

621 Order (80) order denying def's mtn to amend order restricting extrajudicial statements to add as a party the ogeechee judicial circuit district attorney's office 06/10/2025 Anderson, Kathy

622 Motion MOTION - state's motion to reconsider ruling on dna evidence 06/12/2025

623 Order (58) order granting def's mtn for appointment of special master regarding the psychiatric and psychological records of minor son of elwyn crocker 06/12/2025 Anderson, Kathy


for Kim:
Filings
Dkt # Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
380 Order scheduling order - 10/27, 10/28, 10/29, 10/30/25 06/10/2025 Anderson, Kathy
381 Order order granting def's unnumbered motion to enforce order granting discovery of facts and data underlying f.b.i. dna testing 06/12/2025 Anderson, Kathy


for Kim - added court dates
Events
Event Type Event Description Court Date
Calendar criminal motion calendar 10/30/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 10/29/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 10/28/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar 10/27/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion to depose 10/14/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - various motions hearings 06/16/2025 09:00 AM


for Mark:
Filings
Dkt # Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
409 Order (85) order granting def's motion to enforce order granting discovery of facts and data underlying f.b.i. dna testing 06/12/2025 Anderson, Kathy


link: Document Access and Electronic Filing