Attorneys for the two men accused in the 2016 murder of 19-year old De’Andre Palmer in Oak Grove are mulling the potential of resolving their clients’ cases, as at least one deal has been put on the table.
Defense attorney Clayton Brown has been retained by Leonardo Miller and asked Judge John Atkins for another pre-trial conference before a potential trial to have time to look over the case in detail.
David Rye is representing Deqavion James and told the court he’s received an offer from the Commonwealth and is looking it over. He also intends to file a bond motion in the coming days.
Judge John Atkins scheduled a pre-trial conference for August 4 at 9 a.m. and encouraged Brown, Rye and the Commonwealth to work toward a resolution, if possible.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Boling says he received a proposed resolution from Miller in a letter through the mail and told Brown to tell his client he’s rejecting it.
Arrest warrants for James and Miller allege they fatally shot Palmer in July of 2016. Police say they took cash and other items from Palmer’s pockets before putting his body in a closet. Palmer’s body was later moved from the residence and it was discovered a few days later by an Oak Grove police officer near Ghost Bridge on Carter Road.
