Indictment planned in slaying of child
Tue, Mar 20, 2007
By MARY STARRand EMILY STRANGERThe Brunswick News The district attorney of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit says he will seek indictments against the four suspects police say are connected to the disappearance and death of a 6-year-old boy March 8.Stephen Kelley said he will convene the Glynn County Grand Jury Wednesday and seek indictments against George Edenfield, David Edenfield, Peggy Edenfield and Donald Dale. All four are charged in the disappearance of Christopher Michael Barrios Jr.George Edenfield allegedly told police following his arrest on a probation violation that he killed the C.B. Greer Elementary School kindergartener.
A law enforcement official approaches the mobile home of George, Peggy and David Edenfield in Canal Road Mobile Home Park during a search, Wednesday. All three and family friend Donald Dale are suspects in the killing of Christopher Michael Barrios Jr. (The Brunswick News/File)
| Christopher's body was found Thursday in a trash bag that had been left near Canal Road, a week after he disappeared, and about 2 miles from his residence at 150 Horseshoe Lane in the Canal Road Mobile Home Park."I've also assembled a prosecution team that includes me, John B. Johnson and two others from my office," Kelley said. Johnson is the assistant district attorney.All four suspects have court-appointed lawyers. Peggy Edenfield is represented by James Williams Jr., David Edenfield by Bart Altman, Donald Dale by John Wetzler and George Edenfield by the public defender's office.Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering has released few details about the ongoing investigation since holding a press conference and answering questions Friday."We are evaluating the physical evidence, reviewing statements from witnesses, processing evidence, and consulting with the district attorney," Doering said Monday.As of Monday afternoon, no one had been charged with murder, although it is "forthcoming, I assure you," Doering said.Glynn County Coroner Jimmy Durden has declined to release details of the autopsy, saying it is part of a criminal investigation and in the hands of police.The coroner, who is an elected official independent of a police department, is bound by state law to release autopsy information to the public.Durden said the autopsy is ready but that he does not feel comfortable releasing details without Doering's approval.Doering said he will not make the information public."Because this is an ongoing pending investigation, the requests are not subject to open records," Doering said.David Hudson, a lawyer in Augusta that advises the Georgia Press Association on issues of public access, said he believes an autopsy report is a public record which must be disclosed when it is requested. The News is seeking the autopsy report under Georgia's open records law in order to report factually on a issue of public interest that is filled with speculation – how Christopher died.The autopsy is not part of a police investigation that would disclose identities of witnesses or lead to disclosure of an investigative strategy, the newspaper contends.
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