Sparks were flying Thursday between the prosecution and the defense in the case against a 17-year-old accused of shooting an infant boy in Brunswick, setting up a bond hearing Friday morning that promises to be contentious.
De’Marquise Elkins has a bond hearing scheduled Friday morning in Glynn County Superior Court. His public defender, attorney Kevin Gough, is seeking to use the hearing as an opportunity to glean more information about the state’s case and its witnesses. On Wednesday, Gough filed subpeonas for Louis Santiago and Sherry West, the baby’s father and mother, to appear at the hearing.
Only Santiago has been served, and his attorney, Jonathan Miller, filed a motion to quash that subpoena Thursday. The motion states Santiago has no evidence to offer at the bond hearing relevant to its purpose. Miller writes that the subpoena for his client is “nothing more than an attempt to harass, intimidate and bully the father of a 13-month-old murder victim who is still grieving the death of his child.”
The subpoena for West expired because a defense investigator was not able to serve her within 24 hours of the hearing.
The defense attorney has also subpoenaed representatives of the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, the Glynn County Police Department and the Brunswick Police Department and ordered them to bring the entire investigative file to court.
Glynn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson filed a motion seeking to quash those subpoenas. She is also asking the judge to order the public defender to “refrain from harassing [West]” and to hold Gough in contempt of court for misusing his subpoena powers.
Gough has accused police of putting Elkins on public trial through the news media and seeking to “discourage if not intimidate witnesses” who might otherwise come forward with evidence that could help exonerate his client.
“We remain convinced these crimes were not random acts,” Gough said Thursday.
Brunswick Police spokesman Todd Rhodes declined to respond to Gough’s comments.
The case’s many twists and turns have kept the nation’s attention riveted to the coastal city ever since 13-month-old Antonio Santiago was shot to death March 21 while his mother was walking and pushing him in his stroller.
Elkins, whom police have identified as the suspected shooter, and his alleged accomplice, 15-year-old Dominique Lang, were arrested a day later.
Brunswick City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem James Henry Brooks was arrested for allegedly interfering when police tried to talk to Elkins’ mother during a court appearance on March 25.
A day later, Elkins’ mother, Karimah Elkins, 36, and sister, Sabrina Elkins, 19, were jailed on charges of tampering with evidence for allegedly discarding the handgun used in the shooting into a salt marsh pond about two miles from the crime scene. Elkins’ aunt, Katrina Elkins, 33, and his mother are also charged with making a false statement for allegedly providing a false alibi for Elkins.
Concerned members of the Brunswick community were set to gather Thursday night for a Town Hall meeting. There, city officials said, they hoped to put residents’ minds at ease and disseminate more information about the city’s crime-fighting efforts.
“The biggest thing we need them to know is this is an ongoing investigation, and we need the community’s help,” Weeks said. “Law enforcement needs to finish connecting the dots. There may be people out there that can help them put the pieces together. Anybody who knows anything should come forward.”
About the Author
