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

[Niner]

Friday, Nov. 14th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Day 2 of 2) (@ 9am ET) - GA – Mary Frances Crocker (14) & Elwyn John Crocker, Jr. (‘JR’) (14) (Mary died Oct. 18, 2018, Elwyn died about Nov. 30, 2016 & both discovered Dec. 20, 2018 buried in backyard, Guyton) – *Mark Anthony “Tony” Wright (31/now 37) (bro of Candice) arrested (1/8/19), charged (1/29/19), indicted (3/12/19) & arraigned (4/17/19) & re-arraigned (2/19/20) with malice murder & felony murder in Mary’s death, 1 count of sexual battery, 2 counts of cruelty to children, 2 counts of concealing a death (Mary & Elwyn) & 1 count of false imprisonment. No bond. DA will seek DP. [DP taken off on 8/29/25 with plea deal]. Effingham County
Wright is brother of Elwyn Sr.'s wife, Candice & overheard a family discussion about Mary's death & called an aunt, who tipped off authorities. Judge F. Gates Peed has also imposed a gag order prohibiting attorneys and investigators from discussing the case outside court.
Judge Matthew K. Hube presiding. State attorney Matthew Breedon. Defense attorneys Melinda Ryals, Martha C. Hall, Craig S. Bonnel & Allan R. Sincox.
8/29/25: Plead guilty to all charges. Sentencing dates 11/12 & 11/14/25.
Court info from 12/20/19 thru 11/10/25 reference post #576 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ngham-cnty-20-dec-2018-arrests.406245/page-29
11/10/25 Docket update: [496] Defense memorandum in support of a minimum sentence.
11/12/25 Update: [497} Sentencing hearing day 1 of 3 with Judge Hube presiding. Robert Busbee, Matthew Breedon & Christine Barker present for the State. Allan Sincox & Melinda Ryals present for the defense. Defendant present, currently in Effingham Co. jail. WSAV present for pool camera. Witnesses present & testified: Joann Groover (Kim Wright's sister) & Robert Groover (Joann's husband). No hearing Thursday, 11/13/25, to resume on Friday, 11/14/25.
*Elwyn John Crocker, Sr. (50/now 56) (“father”) – Next Motions hearing re Rule 22 request on 12/3/25.
*Kimberly Rene Wright (50/now 56) (Step-grandma) – Plead guilty & sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on 9/16/25. Motions hearing on 10/27 thru 10/30/25.
*Roy Anthony Prater (55/now 61) - 10/24/19 Update: Plead guilty. Sentencing delayed until all defendants’ cases are complete. Will testify against the other 3 defendants.
*Candice Heather Crocker (33/now 39) (“step-mom”) - 10/21/20 Update: Plead guilty to 2 counts of malice murder, 2 counts of cruelty to child, to 2 counts of concealing a death & 2 counts of false imprisonment. Rest of the charges were Nolle Prosequi (dismissed). Sentenced to life without parole & credit for time served (12/20/18 to 10/21/20) to be served concurrently. In plea deal she must testify against the other 3 defendants.

 

[Niner]

Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
498 Miscellaneous
CLERKSHEARINGNOTES - clerkshearingnotes - sentencing hearing, day 3 of 3 before judge hube (no hearing 11/13)... court reporter sherry wages... robert busbee, matthew breedon, & christine barker present for the state... allan sincox & melinda ryals present for the defense... defendant present, currently in eff co jail... wsav present for pool camera... witnesses present/testified... 11/14/2025
[sentenced to 80 years in prison]

link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

https://www.wsav.com/crime-safety/crocker-case-childrens-step-uncle-sentenced/

Nov. 14, 2025
EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) — The step-uncle of the Crocker children was sentenced Friday after he plead guilty to several charges related to the deaths of his niece and nephew.
[.....]
“No case, nothing I was ever involved in, comes close to the depravity of this case,” said Judge Matthew Hube as he gave the sentencing.

He was sentenced to the maximum, 80 years in court Friday. A condition of the plea agreement is that the death penalty be removed from consideration.

 

[fsngruv]

Crocker Case: Mark Wright gets maximum sentence for his role in the deaths of his niece and nephew

A judge has sentenced Mark Wright to the maximum of 80 years in prison for his role in the deaths of two teenagers in 2018.

www.wtoc.com

 

[Niner]

Docket updates

Elwyn
Filing
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
671 Miscellaneous originaltranscript - 08.18.25 motion hearings: 58, 86(a), 91, and 115(a); effingham; judge hube 11/18/2025 Wages, Sherry


Mark
Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
499 Miscellaneous CLERKSWORKSHEET - clerksworksheet - sentencing information 11/14/2025

500 Order final disposition - straight-time sentence, 80 years 11/14/2025

501 Disposition merged - merged with count 1 11/14/2025

502 Sentence confinement - 30 years to serve cts since 01/08/2019 11/14/2025

503 Sentence confinement - 20 years to serve c/s to ct 1 11/14/2025

504 Sentence confinement - 10 years to serve c/s to ct 1 & 4 11/14/2025

505 Sentence confinement - 10 years to serve c/s to ct 1, 4, & 6 11/14/2025

506 Sentence confinement - 10 years to serve c/s to ct1, 4, 6, & 7 11/14/2025

507 Miscellaneous PRISONERSPERSONALHISTORYSHEET - prisonerspersonalhistorysheet 11/14/2025

508 Proceeding PROCEEDING - gdc receipt # 356927 11/14/2025

link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

 

[Niner]

for Elwyn

Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
672 Discovery state's discovery disclosure 11/23/2025 Breedon, Matthew
link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, December 3rd:
*Motions Hearing re Rule 22 Request (@ 9am ET) - GA – Mary Frances Crocker (14) & Elwyn John Crocker, Jr. (‘JR’) (14) (Mary died Oct. 18, 2018, Elwyn died about Nov. 30, 2016 & both discovered Dec. 20, 2018 buried in backyard, Guyton) – *Elwyn John Crocker, Sr. (50/now 56) (“father”) arrested (12/20/18), charged (1/29/19), indicted (3/12/19) & arraigned (4/17/19) & re-arraigned (2/19/20) with 2 counts of malice murder, 2 counts of felony murder for the deaths of Elwyn, Jr. & Mary, 1 count of sexual battery, 4 counts of cruelty to children, 2 counts of false imprisonment & 2 counts of concealing a death. Plead not guilty (2/19/20). No bond. DA will seek DP. Effingham County
Judge Matthew K. Hube presiding. ADA Matthew Breedon. Defense attorney Jerilyn Bell, Samuel Carlos Wood, Kara Stangl, Stephen R. Yekel & Mary F. Dayton.
Court info from 3/15/19 thru 7/30/25 reference post #533 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ngham-cnty-20-dec-2018-arrests.406245/page-26
8/6/25 Docket update: [664] Motion #115B-Particularized objection to photos the State noticed its intent to tender as evidence at trial filed by Jerilyn Bell. 8/8/25 Docket update: [645] Supplement to Motion #86A [motion to suppress electronics seized from home]. A Motions hearing on *8/18/25 @ 9am & motions hearing on 10/14/25 @ 9am.
8/15/25 Docket updates: [646] Amended order on Rule 22 request-granted (WSAV-TV) by Judge Kathy Anderson. [647] Order on Motion #58- order granting defendant's motion #58 adopting recommendations of special master & ordering dissemination of the psychiatric & psychological records of a minor son of Crocker to the parties by Judge Anderson. [648] Motion #115b-State's response to defendant's particularized objection to photos filed by Matthew Breedon. 8/17/25 Docket update: [649] Proceeding Motion #91-defendant's index of exhibits on Motion #91 filed by Kara Stangl.
8/18/25 Update: Motion hearing on outstanding motions held. Next Motion to depose hearing on 10/14/25 @ 9am. 8/19/25 Update: The motion to ensure mitigating circumstances are property weighed was denied by Judge Matthew Hube on Tuesday. Mitigating circumstances are factors that, while not justifying or excusing a crime, can lessen the severity of the offense or the degree of culpability of the offender. The motion questioned whether or not jurors are the best suited to decide a death penalty verdict. Crocker Sr. & two others could face the death penalty if convicted.
8/19/25 Docket updates: [650[ Order-Motion #58-Order on defendant's motion #58 overruling defendant's objection to the dissemination of the psychiatric & psychological records of minor son of Elwyn Crocker to the State filed. [651] Order-(86a) Order denying defendant's motion to suppress. [652] Order-Motion #91-Order denying defendant's motion #91 to ensure that mitigating circumstances are properly weighed filed by Judge Kathy Anderson. 8/19/25 Docket update: [653] Order re Motion #91-Denying defendant's motion #91 to ensure that mitigating circumstances are properly weighed filed by Anderson. 8/21/25 Docket update: [654] State's motion to destroy evidence filed by Breedon. 8/25/25 Docket update: [655] Motion 124-Crocker's response to State's motion for reconsideration of order granting defendants unnumbered motion to enforce order granting discovery of facts & data underlying FBI DNA testing filed by Jerilyn Bell.
8/25/25 Docket update: [656] Miscellaneous. Original transcript of 5-20-2025; Crocker motion hearings; Effingham Co; Judge Hube. Exparte hearing transcript filed under seal filed by Toni Carter. 8/28/25 Docket updates: [657] Motion #125-Motion to prevent disclosure of defense requested DFCs records to the state filed by Kara Stangle. Brief. State's response to Motion 125 & motion to enforce court's Order on 8/19/25 on Motion 58 filed by Christine S. Barker. 8/28/25 Docket update: [658] Motion #58-State's response to motion to prevent disclosure of DFCs records & motion to enforce this court's Order on 8/19/25 on motion #58 filed by Christine Barker.
9/6/25 Docket update: [659] Miscellaneous. Original transcript of 5/19/25, Effingham County; Crocker hearings. Motions hearing transcript filed by Toni Carter. 9/25/25 Docket update: [660] Order re-setting depositions of Captain Rick Dailey & Roy Prater [from 10/14/25 to 12/15/25 thru 12/19/25 all @ 9am by Judge Kathy Anderson. 9/26/25 Docket update: [661] Order setting motions [#55, 56. 58 & 125] hearings on 1/5/26, 1/6/26 & 1/7/26 all at 9am by Kathy Anderson. [Motion #55-motion for change of venue; motion #56-motion for separate hearing on change of venue; motion #58-motion for mental health records & appt. of special master [motion #58-order granting def's motion #58 for appointment of special master regarding the psychiatric & psychological records of minor son of Elwyn Crocker on 6/12/25; motion #58-State's response to motion to prevent disclosure of DFCs records & motion to enforce this court's order on 8/19/25 on motion #58 filed on 8/28/25]; motion #125-motion to prevent disclosure of defense requested DFCs records to the State filed on 8/28/25.]
9/30/25 Docket update: [662] State's motion to depose witness under OCGA 24-13-130 (Kimberly Wright) filed by Christine S. Barker. 10/11/25 Docket update: [663] Miscellaneous. Original transcript for 5/21/25; Effingham; Motions hearing filed by Toni Carter. 10/13/25 Docket update: [664] Leave of Absence filed by Matthew Breedon for 12/5-12/10/25. 10/15/25 Docket update: [665] Leave of Asence [June 12-23/26] filed by Kara Stangl.
10/31/25 Docket update: [666] Order granting the State's motion to dispose Kimberly Wright on 12/15/25 filed by Kathy Anderson. 11/3/25 Docket update: [667] Order setting hearing on Rule 22 request for 11/25/25 @ 9am. 11/4/25 Docket update: [668] Conflict Letter filed Kara Stangl [has another case on the same date & time as this one].
11/7/25 Docket update: [669] Order re-setting motions hearing on 11/25/25 regarding Rule 22 request was moved to 12/3/25 @ 9am. 11/8/25 Docket update: [670] Miscellaneous. Original transcript of 6/30/25 motions hearings; 86(a), 91, 115(a); Effingham; Judge Hube filed by Sherry Wages 11/18/25 Docket update: [671] Miscellaneous. Original transcript for 8/18/25 motions hearings filed by Sherry Wages.
11/23/25 Docket update: [672] State's discovery disclosure filed by Matthew Breedon.
*Kimberly Renee Wright (50/now 56) (“step-grandma”) – Plead guilty (9/16/25) & sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
*Mark Anthony “Tony” Wright (31/now 37) (bro of Candice) – Plead guilty (8/29/25) & sentenced (11/14/25) to 80 years in prison.
*Roy Anthony Prater (55/now 61) - 10/24/19 Update: Plead guilty. Sentencing delayed until all defendants’ cases are complete. Will testify against the other 3 defendants.
*Candice Heather Crocker (33/now 39) (“step-mom”) - 10/15/20 Update: Plead guilty to 2 counts of malice murder, 2 counts of cruelty to child, to 2 counts of concealing a death & 2 counts of false imprisonment. Rest of the charges were Nolle Prosequi (dismissed). Sentenced to life without parole & credit for time served (12/20/18 to 10/21/20) to be served concurrently. In plea deal she must testify against the other 3 defendants.

 

[Niner]

No filings updates yet.

Events
Event Type Event Description Court Date
Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion hearings #55 #56 #58 #125 01/07/2026 09:00 AM
Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion hearings #55 #56 #58 #125 01/06/2026 09:00 AM
Calendar criminal motion calendar - motion hearings #55 #56 #58 #125 01/05/2026 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - depositions - day 5 of 5 12/19/2025 09:00 AM
Calendar criminal motion calendar - depositions - day 4 of 5 12/18/2025 09:00 AM
Calendar criminal motion calendar - depositions - day 3 of 5 12/17/2025 09:00 AM
Calendar criminal motion calendar - depositions - day 2 of 5 12/16/2025 09:00 AM
Calendar criminal motion calendar - depositions - day 1 of 5 12/15/2025 09:00 AM

Calendar criminal motion calendar - hearing on rule 22 request for 12/15/25 (wjcl) 12/03/2025 09:00 AM

link: Document Access and Electronic Filing

 

[Niner]

Elwyn - docket update

Filings
Dkt# Doc Type Description Filing Date Filer
673 Miscellaneous CLERKSHEARINGNOTES - clerkshearingnotes - motion before judge hube..court reporter sherry wages..matthew breedon for the state..jerilyn bell for the defense..defendant present..rule 22 request for wjcl [for camera for depo hearings] denied 12/04/2025

674 Order order denying rule 22 request 12/04/2025 Balleck, Deana
[WJCL failed to appear for hearing]

link: Document Access and Electronic Filing