Top single photo is Andrew Williams. Group Photo: Clockwise from top left in photos above are Melvin Barris, Hanna Qualls, Chandler Falks, and Devin Buckhannon.
BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Four of five people charged with attempted murder in Elmore County had their initial appearance in Court this afternoon before District Judge Glenn Goggans.
Present for the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office was Assistant District Attorney Mandy Johnson.
Chandler Falks, 21, of Eclectic has already made bond of $50,000 and is out of jail. He faces charges of attempted murder and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
The remaining four stood before Judge Goggans as their rights were explained to them, as well as the serious charges against them. They were advised they will be provided an attorney if they cannot afford one. They were also advised that they can request a preliminary hearing. They can also request a bond hearing to ask for a bond reduction.
Andrew Williams, 18, of Tallassee is accused of shooting Jacob Gillean early Wednesday morning on Williams Road, about two miles north of Wetumpka. Sheriff Franklin said it is believed he was also the driver of the vehicle. Gillean was struck multiple times when at least 10 rounds were fired, one striking him in the head. Afterwards, Sheriff Franklin said that Gillean was then run over by a Kia Sport as Williams, who was reportedly driving the Kia, fled the scene with his four passengers. Williams’ bond is set at $250,000 (cash only) as well as separate charges of possession of marijuana and paraphernalia for an additional $2,000 bond.
Passengers in the vehicle were identified as:
Devin Buckhannon, 20, of Tallassee who has a $250,000 bond (cash only) and a $2,000 bond for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Melvin Barris, 19, from Titus has a $50,000 bond for attempted murder and an additional $2,000 for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Hanna Qualls, 18, from Deatsville, has a $50,000 bond for attempted murder and an additional $2,000 for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
If convicted of attempted murder, each suspect could face anywhere from 10 to 99 years or life in prison. If convicted of the drug and paraphernalia possession, they each could face an additional year.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said the victim is Jacob Gillean. 20, remains hospitalized at UAB with severe injuries.
The events surrounding the shooting are still being investigated, but the Sheriff said it was a disagreement over a female.
The investigation began around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday when deputies responded to a shots fired call on Williams Road, about two miles north of Wetumpka.
The five accused were reportedly in a Kia Sport that went to a residence in the 2600 block of Williams because they were going to discuss the disagreement, Franklin said. But when they arrived, seven to eight people came out of the residence. Feeling they were outnumbered, Franklin said the smaller group got back into the vehicle and were leaving the scene when the shooting started.
“Aside from multiple gunshot wounds, Gillean suffered a crushed pelvis and broken left arm. Several of his injuries looked like abrasions and pock marks as well,” Franklin said.
When the suspects fled the scene, Sheriff Franklin said his deputies had quite an interesting time rounding them all up, but had the job done by mid-morning Wednesday.
Asst. DA Mandy Johnson said that it is unusual to have this many suspects in an attempted murder, but not unheard of. She said the DA’s Office will present the evidence to an Elmore County Grand Jury, perhaps as early as Sept. 15. The COVID-19 Pandemic affected the court system as well, and that date is the earliest possible. If the Grand Jury finds there is enough evidence to proceed, Johnson said the DA’s office will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.
Both Johnson and Sheriff Franklin said it is “miraculous” that the victim survived.
“Getting shot multiple times is bad enough, and then you get run over,” Sheriff Franklin said. “That young man is one of the luckiest people you will ever see in your life. The bullet that entered near his left eye did not penetrate the skull, but instead moved upward and exited out of the top of his head. Had it penetrated the skull, we would be here for murder.”
All suspects appeared before Judge Goggans in white and gray prison uniforms and handcuffed.
“You are not here today to make a determination of whether you are guilty or innocent,” Judge Goggans said. “At this point all I know is what you have been charged with.”
Under bond, the suspects cannot leave the state, participate in any criminal activity, or make contact with the victim.
“If you do make bond and you follow these conditions of bond, then you are going to be OK with me,” Goggans said. “But let’s say you get out there and they say you did a new charge, I will get the District Attorney to file a motion to revoke your bond.”
Asst. District Attorney Johnson said the state is satisfied with the current bond settings. “Some of them have holds in place out of other counties and other states.”
The Judge then asked each suspect if they understood the bond amounts and their rights, with all saying this did understand. They were led from the courtroom back to their jail cells until, or if, they make bond.
