On Feb. 12, James McCray Jr. was arraigned in front of Superior Court Judge Glen A. Cheney. McCray was indicted on murder charges. He is charged with the murder of his father on Aug. 12, 2018, and will be tried as an adult.
The teenager is accused of shooting and killing his father, James McCray Sr., inside his father’s Midway home. James McCray Jr. was 16 years old at the time of his arrest. Due to being a juvenile, if convicted on the charge of murder, McCray Jr. would be facing life in prison instead of the death penalty.
McCray pled not guilty to the charges, and a motion for the State’s Demand for Discovery was filed with the Clerk of Courts Feb. 19. AJ Balbo with Balbo and Gregg Attorneys at Law, is representing McCray.
Charles Nelson II was arraigned Feb. 20 on numerous drug charges in front of Superior Court Judge Jay Stewart. Nelson is the estranged husband of Hinesville City Council Member Vicky Nelson.
Charles Nelson is charged with eight counts, including: trafficking in illegal drugs; possession of a schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute; three counts of manufacturing, delivering, distributing, administering, selling, possessing with intent to distribute controlled substance; purchase possession manufacture, distribution, or sale of marijuana; possession of tools for commission of a crime; and affixing materials that reduce or increase light transmission of windows.
Nelson was arrested during a traffic stop on March 27, 2017, in Hinesville, when a Liberty County drug dog unit circled Nelson’s vehicle and discovered narcotics. He was stopped at the intersection of E.G. Miles and Veterans Parkway at the time of his arrest. Nelson has been out on bond since April 13, 2017. Bond was initially set at $50,000 cash or $100,000 property with a 7 p.m. curfew, according to public records.
Attorney Luke R. Moses with Jones Osteen Jones represents Nelson. On Feb. 20, a consolidated motion was filed with the Liberty County Clerk of Court, which will require a Copy of Indictment or Accusation; List of Witnesses; Motion for Disclosure and Inspection; Motion for Statement of Witnesses; and a List of Names and Information. The document also requests other defense motions to be completed before the trial.
Judge Stewart continued the case. The next court date is to be decided.
Co-defendants Tyler James McGriff and Hebert Roberts will be tried together Judge Glen Cheney ruled on Tuesday. It is alleged McGriff killed Shaun Williams July 14, 2016 and Roberts is suspected of being an accomplice to the murder.
Roberts faces charges of party to the crime of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm of knife during the commission or attempt to commit certain felonies. McGriff is charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission or attempt to commit certain felonies.
Roberts is out on bond, while McGriff remains in custody.