A motion to reduce bond was denied Wednesday morning in Christian Circuit Court for one of the suspects charged in connection with the December, 2020 disappearance of Justin Tyler Sawyer in Oak Grove.
Defense attorney Michael Thompson argued that 23-year old Marquell Sims of Oak Grove learned his lesson when he was arrested after violating conditions of his release the first time and was jailed on a domestic violence charge and asked he be released on a $7,500 cash bond.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling argued that Sims’ crimes warrant a higher bond and Judge John Atkins agreed.
Kentucky State Police say Sims was in the car with 21-year-old Dawuan Davis and Sawyer on December 17 during a drug deal gone bad that led to Davis allegedly shooting Sawyer five times.
Sims reportedly got out of the car after the first two shots were fired and walked across KY 115 from the Shell Station to the Pilot gas station. Police say Davis later in the night used the help of 37-year old Gene Douglas Henry of Oak Grove to move Sawyer’s body from the back seat to the trunk of his stolen car.
Henry entered a guilty plea to tampering with evidence in October as part of a deal that comes with a recommended four-year sentence and he must testify at the trial of his co-defendants.
Sims is charged with complicity to assault, robbery and kidnapping.
Trial for Davis and Sims is scheduled for February 21.