Bonds set for accused accessories in quadruple murder case
JACKSON, Tenn. — Accused of helping a quadruple murder suspect after the fact, four individuals appeared in court Wednesday.
Giovontie Thomas
Dearrah Sanders
Erik Wise
Michell Ovelis
Four people charged with two counts of accessory after the fact appeared in the Madison County Circuit Court near downtown Jackson Wednesday.
Michell Ovelis, Dearrah Sanders, Giovontie Thomas, and Erik Wise have all been indicted for their alleged role in helping Austin Drummond.
Drummond is facing first-degree murder charges after authorities found four people killed in Lake County.
Thomas’ attorney, Joe Byrd, argued that his client had minimal involvement.
“The testimony was that after the vehicle came back to Jackson, that he was asked by [Tanaka] Brown and asked by Drummond to wipe the car down. He said he wasn’t wiping anything down and he didn’t. And he told the TBI that,” Byrd stated.
Judge Donald Allen took into account Thomas’ previous record and set his bond at $250,000.
Erik Wise’s bond was also set at the same amount.
According to TBI, Wise and Sanders are accused of supplying Drummond with a cell phone and duffel bag. Sanders also allegedly allowed Drummond to stay in her apartment while he was on the run.
The fourth suspect, Ovelis, is charged with helping Drummond evade authorities.
“The testimony was that she’s the one who rented the car for Drummond and was requested to do so by a third party,” said Byrd.
Ovelis’ bond was set at $100,000, while Sanders’ bail was set at $150,000.
Sanders, Wise, Ovelis, and Thomas are set to appear in court again on November 3. Wise will appear on September 29.
Click here to view the indictments.
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