The third suspect in a Monday murder is in jail and a fourth suspect is sought.
Cortez Williams, 26, of 515 18th St. N., was discovered hiding at 716 19th St. S. Friday afternoon. He was arrested by Columbus Police Department patrol officers shortly after 4 p.m. He is the suspected trigger man in the shooting death of Eddie Terrell Bankhead Monday night at Bankhead”s 2018 1/2 College St. home.
As of Saturday afternoon, the CPD was preparing a warrant on a fourth suspect to present to a judge.
Williams and his alleged cohorts, Derrick Bankhead, 33, of 901 11th St. S., who is the victim”s cousin, and Omar Beard, of 815 13th St. N., are all charged with one count of murder. Despite sharing the same charge, Williams was denied bond while Beard”s bond was set at $1 million and Bankhead”s bond was set at $350,000.
The CPD could not comment on the bond amounts except to say that the head of the investigation division and the chief investigator on the case recommend bond amounts to the judge.
Williams” next court date is scheduled for Aug. 18.
The investigation into the murder is ongoing and additional charges may result. Attempted robbery was initially reported as the apparent motive for the killing.
Williams was discovered at the 19th Street house hiding in a closet. At this time, no charges for harboring a fugitive have been pressed against the owners of the home.
WCBI-TV reported that Williams complained of chest pains shortly following his arrest and was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle for treatment. The CPD couldn”t comment on Williams” condition due to patient privacy laws, but confirmed he was in custody at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center Saturday.
Williams was previously arrested in 1999 and charged with statutory rape. Beard was arrested for felony false pretense in 2004. Bankhead was charged with kidnapping in 2009 and has been previously arrested for burglary of a dwelling and malicious mischief.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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