RECAP: Latest coverage following Drummond’s arraignment Thursday
TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. — In our continuing coverage, we recap Austin Drummond’s arraignment as he’s accused of murdering four people and kidnapping an infant.
Thursday morning, Drummond appeared at the Lake County Courthouse to receive his formal charges.
We also received the official affidavit for Drummond, Branden Powell, and Dearrah Sanders.
Drummond faced the court Thursday morning to address charges including 4 counts of first-degree murder, 1 count of aggravated kidnapping, and multiple firearm offenses.
Drummond may be facing the death penalty according to district attorney of the 29th Judicial District Attorney Danny Goodman.
SEE ALSO: State seeking death penalty for Drummond in quadruple homicide case
He says it’s due to the nature of Drummond allegedly murdering the victims in Lake County, abandoning the baby in Dyer County, and being arrested due to a man hunt in Madison County.
This case will have two district attorneys.
“Yea, it is going to be more complicated because of that. Fortunately, I am the district attorney for two of the counties that it occurred in. So, that’s just going to leave just one other county with District Attorney Jody Pickens. He and I already talked and we’re going together for those,” said Goodman.
Due to not having an attorney, Judge Drew Cook entered a plea of not guilty for Drummond.
Bryan Huffman has now been appointed as his attorney. Drummond is being held without bond.
The mother of one of the victims shares her thoughts after Drummond’s arraignment.
“We’re happy. We’re happy he doesn’t have a bond. He doesn’t need a bond, he’s out on bond now. So why give him another bond? We’re very happy that he is not gonna be making his bond and walking out. None of them are, they all deserve to pay for this,” said Kim Hamil, mother of one of the victims. “It’s just a bad situation that we’re in here. It’s just, we know that we’re gonna get justice for our kids–for this whole family. So,we’re just trying to let justice take its course.”
Deearah Sanders and Branden Powell were also arraigned.
According to the affidavit, Sanders is facing one count of accessory after the fact.
“Sanders did knowingly commit the offense of accessory after the fact by the commission of a felony, with knowledge or reasonable ground to believe that Austin Drummond had committed the felony and with the intent to hinder the arrest, trial, and conviction of Austin Drummond.”
Sanders appeared in court with an attorney.
SEE ALSO: WBBJ obtains affidavits revealing more details in quadruple homicide case
Branden Powell also appeared in court.
He was not connected to helping Drummond following the four murders, however, he was allegedly connected to a delivery of contraband to an inmate in a local prison.
The affidavit shares he was delivering “marijuana tobacco, and an ear piercing kit to an inmate.”
This occurred on June 18-June 19 of this year. On June 19, an officer with Lake County tried to stop a car allegedly driven by Drummond, however, the car did not stop and objects were thrown from the car.
The affidavit says, in part, “11.7 ounces of marijuana, four packages of tobacco, a drone case, five cell phones, rings, and ear-piercing kit, and several mesh bags,” were recovered from the car Drummond allegedly drove.
It goes on to say, in part, “Branden Diego Powell conspired with Austin Drummond and three other individuals to deliver contraband into the penal facility in Lake County.”
Powell is facing one count of criminal conspiracy and possession of schedule VI with intent to manufacture, deliver, and sale. Drummond will appear in general sessions court on Thursday, August 14.
SEE THE FULL COURT HEARING AND MORE COVERAGE:
- FULL VIDEO: Murder suspect Austin Drummond appears in court
- WATCH: Victim’s parents speak out after Drummond’s arraignment
- Report details Drummond’s history of violence
Stay with us on air and online as we continue to bring you updates in this developing case.
For more local crime coverage, click here.
