Site Map ·  First Alert ·  Talk to 12
Home  ·   News  ·   StormTeam 12  ·   News 12 Sports  ·   On Your Side  ·   Community  ·   Contests  ·   12 on TV  ·   12 Anywhere  ·   The News 12 Team  ·   Jobs  ·   What's On
EducationTeam12 · HealthTeam12 · CrimeTeam12 · Politics · Entertainment · Traffic · Buzz on Biz · Your Money Matters · Home and Family · Special Coverage
Call 803-278-3111 with news tips
School Crimes
In Plain Sight: Sex Offenders Near You
Download News 12 First Alert
CSRA's Most Wanted
Crimes by Zip Code
Teenage murder suspect surrenders to investigators Save Email Print
Posted: 9:51 AM Oct 13, 2008
Last Updated: 6:27 PM Oct 13, 2008
Reporter: Lynnsey Gardner
Email Address: lynnsey.gardner@wrdw.com

A | A | A

News 12 at 6 o'clock, October 13, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga -- 16-year-old murder suspect Cornelius Moore turned himself in to Richmond County investigators around 9 o'clock this morning.

Sgt. Calvin Chew says the teenager's mother brought him down to the Law Enforcement Center at 401 Walton Way.

Moore had been on the run for nearly a week after jumping out of a window at his home last Tuesday (October 7) in his effort to escape from deputies. Investigators say the teen then stole a car and managed to be on the run for six days. A massive manhunt ensued last week in the Cherry Tree Crossing and Milledgeville Road areas. During the manhunt, deputies locked down two schools and searched cars looking for Moore.

Sgt. Chew says Moore is facing charges of murder and armed robbery as an adult. Moore also faces a number of other juvenile charges relating to the home invasion on Royal Street on October 2nd.

23-year-old Jezreel Hammond was shot to death after investigators say several men broke in the back door of a home he and his grandmother shared. His grandmother was not hurt in the attack.

"Terrible. Yes ma'am, can't help but cry...I hate it happen and i hate they got my son mixed up in it, but like i said before, i don't think he did it." Mother Jacqueline Johnson says not only were the murder allegations tough to handle, but so was his daring escape and week on the run.

"I was just was stressed out about it, i was depressed. I couldn't stop crying because i believe my brother's innocent." says his older sister Latasha Moore.

Still this sister and mother encouraged Moore to stop running.

"I feel safer with him in there than out here running the streets. I told him it's be best to turn himself in and so we can get a lawyer and prove he's innocent." adds Johnson.

Ian Bonner is also charged with Hammond's murder. He was arrested last week. Deputies still looking for a third person in connection with the murder, but they have not revealed his identity.

26-year-old Kenneth Rodriguez Gaines was arrested on October 4th. He's charged with armed robbery as well as firearm and drug charges related to the deadly home invasion.

Click Pictures to Enlarge
More Stories
Traffic stop nets thousands in drugs

Children's identities at risk, just like adults'

Two arrests in murder of Burke County High School student

First on 12: Burke County High School student murdered

Driver flips truck into Augusta Canal

Off-duty work dangerous for local sheriff's deputies

Five 'smash and grabs' in one night on Washington Road

Drug bust in Clearwater

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: me Location: sunset on Oct 24, 2008 at 09:36 AM
la man and ian were both the triggerman they need to give they a** the death penalty. that aint the only lick jed done put them boys on thats why he gettin him a lawyer to keep them from telling the role he played in it. justin elmore your day will be coming soon

Posted by: SUNSET Location: AUGUSTA on Oct 16, 2008 at 08:13 AM
MAN LIL MAN DID NOT DO IT OR LAN SO FREE MY HOMEBOYZ

Posted by: Another mother Location: Aiken on Oct 14, 2008 at 04:04 PM
well said "Anonymous". I think it's the mother's fault as well.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I've heard the same thing every day for the last 5 years from the mouths of mothers... "It's not my son's fault, he didn't do it, he's innocent". Wake up and smell the gunsmoke.... stop enabling your son/daughter. Being a mother myself it's absolutely disgusting and despicable having to listen to these kinds of excuses day after day. Mothers like her are the weakest link in our urban young men's lives. She should have been there and punished her child if she knew he was doing the wrong things and also guided him to better decisions. But no, she let him run lose and gave no structure and reason to do better. And because of her ignorance this young man will never EVER be a productive member of society. Anyone who's been in law knows this. He's forever programmed to be a thug and the chances of rehabilitating him are almost nonexistant. It is as much her fault her child is in this mess and she should be held accountable too.

Posted by: Mona Location: Not here, thank God on Oct 14, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Let's just go ahead and get this over with....put all the thugs in one confined area with padded walls and lock them up. Then they will either kill each other or learn to live with each other. I really don't like thugs. I'd sleep alot better at night knowing they were all put away.

Posted by: To Several Location: Georgia on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:47 AM
To Michele: Your right--appears to be a smirk! To Mary: Family values and morals are a big thing--seems to be none! To Jean: right, why run if you did nothing? Excuse will be I was scared! To Travon: Learn to spell, learn proper English, get a job but mostly GROW UP! To Quez: Do you need to be in jail also? His actions make him seem guilty.

Posted by: Michele Location: Evans on Oct 14, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Is it just me, or does it appear that young Mr. Moore is smiling in his mug shot? Thug. I feel sorry for his poor mother. I also feel sorry for the victims family. May God be with you all.

Posted by: Mary Location: Anywhere but Augusta on Oct 14, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Where should I start? First of all, it's a real shame that these young people are killing each other and my heart goes out to the victim's family. I don't understand why there is a lack of respect of human life with alot of young black males. What are they being taught in the homes they live in? Why do they hate other black people so badly? And then as I read these other comments I am shocked at the hatred. Revenge is never the answer. Voilence is never the answer. They need knowledge. Education. Family values and morals. I mean, just read some of these comments. Do they realize how stupid they sound? They don't even know proper grammar. They need to be more focused on overcoming ignorance than seeking revenge for their "homie". Give me a break.

Posted by: JEAN Location: Augusta on Oct 13, 2008 at 09:40 PM
No mother wants to believe her son could be a murderer, let's let a jury decide that. Why run if you're innocent?

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Another young life down the drain.I pray for his mom his family for the family that he took the life from. Lastly I pray for him. Traveon I pray for you as well. A tear drop shouldnt make you rise and shine. It should be a symbol of shame not a symbol of good. Sounds like drugs and gangs. Traveon turn your life around now it sounds like you need it.

Posted by: traveon d calloway Location: agusta,ga on Oct 13, 2008 at 04:46 PM
free mi homie

Posted by: traveon d calloway Location: august ,ga on Oct 13, 2008 at 04:45 PM
lil man i hope you do right for they let you out early for i can my **** again come out with raintear because shot somebody

Posted by: faithyes on Oct 13, 2008 at 02:42 PM
My comment i s in reference to prioner voting. A person is innocent until proven guilty so i believe that the person should have the right to vote.

Posted by: Me Location: Augusta on Oct 13, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Thats Great! You going down ***!

Posted by: BREE026 Location: AUGUSTA, GEORGIA on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:16 PM
IN RESPONSE TO QUEZ OF CHERRYTREE CROSSING,.... MAYBE YOU SHOULD JOIN HIM IN JAIL...............................

Posted by: BREE026 Location: AUGUSTA, GEORGIA on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:13 PM
THANK YOU GOD...................

Posted by: quez Location: cherry tree croosing on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:47 AM
free my homie

CrimeTeam 12 Links
Forthcoming Judicial Opinions
Click here to see a list of upcoming opinions from the Supreme Court of Georgia.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Richmond County Sheriff's Office
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
Search Incident Reports
Click here to search for and view incident reports from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Aiken County Sheriff's Office
Sex Offender Information