Published Tuesday, June 03, 2008 in Local
Indictments include three high-profile cases
The Times-Herald
Several cases went before a Coweta County grand jury Monday for indictment -- including cases involving a shaken baby, child molestation and drug charges.
Indictments were handed down against Michael Gene Eskew, the 25-year-old accused of shaking an infant to the point of permanent brain damage; Gregory Graham, 34, the former law enforcement officer accused of having sexual intercourse with a juvenile female relative; and 21-year-old Christopher Deon Fendley, who was recently found not guilty in the Nov. 23, 2007, shooting death of Bill Williamson Sr. only to now face drug charges from a 2005 arrest.
Eskew was indicted Monday and is scheduled to be arraigned on June 10 at the Coweta County Jail, where he is being held without bond, according to Senior Assistant District Attorney Ray Mayer.
Eskew was arrested April 4 and charged with two counts of aggravated battery for allegedly physically abusing a then-6-month-old baby boy. The infant, who was not breathing, was taken to the hospital on April 1.
According to Mayer, the investigation has concluded that the baby had been shaken violently causing a skull fracture that resulted in "profound disabilities and irreversible brain damage, including blindness and loss of voluntary motor functions."
Graham was also indicted on Monday and faces arraignment at the jail on June 10, according to Assistant District Attorney Kevin McMurry.
Graham, a Coweta County resident and former law enforcement officer with the Fulton County Police Department, is charged with three counts of child molestation, two counts of incest, statutory rape -- all with the 15-year-old female relative -- and possession Schedule II drugs and possession Schedule III drugs (anabolic steroids). He was arrested April 4 at his Sharpsburg residence after investigators from the Coweta County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant. The alleged abuse was reported by the alleged victim's mother and later confirmed to police by the alleged victim.
Graham was scheduled to have a petitioned second bond hearing on Monday, but since it didn't occur before his case was indicted by a grand jury, "any reconsideration would be by Superior Court judges," according to McMurry.
From a 2005 arrest, Fendley is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was indicted on Monday and will be arraigned at the jail June 10.
Fendley was recently acquitted of charges that included felony murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Fendley had been accused of killing Williamson during a botched home invasion robbery on Roberts Road east of downtown Newnan.