Murder suspect gets no bond
Pettaway escorted out of court after given no bond
A Mobile man wanted by the Atmore Police Department for the July 25 murder of Jatyrain Aquamini Tolbert, 22, of Atmore turned himself in to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton last Thursday and is being held without bond pending an Aniya's Law hearing scheduled for today (Thursday, Aug. 10).
Antonio LeMarcus Pettaway, 19, 1058 Houston St., Mobile, was charged with murder.
During a bond hearing last Friday before Escambia County District Judge Eric Coale, Pettaway said he understood the charges against him and told the judge he had already hired Mobile attorney Christine Hernandez to represent him.
Prior to setting bond, Judge Coale told Pettaway if he is released from jail he is to have not contact with the victim's family.
District Attorney Steve Billy requested no bond, noting Pettaway was out on bond in Mobile County for having a pistol on a school campus.
Judge Coale ruled Pettaway would be held without bond and ordered the Aniya's Law hearing for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 10.
"Why is that?" Pettaway questioned when given no bond. Judge Coale explained that a bond would be considered at Thursday's hearing.
Pettaway also told Judge Coale that he had been threatened inside the Escambia County Detention Center and Judge Coale said he would let Sheriff Heath Jackson know.
About 5:05 p.m. July 25, Atmore police were dispatched to a two-car motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Brooks Lane and King Street.
Police reported when they arrived they found one of the drivers, later identified as Tolbert, was unresponsive from a gunshot wound.
Tolbert was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and later died.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said that the police department's criminal investigation unit was dispatched to the area prior to the crash in reference to gunshots being heard by nearby residents.
Several days later the Atmore Police Department identified Pettaway as a suspect and obtained arrest warrants. Pettaway's photograph was submitted to multiple news outlets and Pettaway later turned himself in.
