Friday, Dec. 2, 2011

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The bond hearing for 17-year-old Michael Everidge has been continued.

He was never seen in the courtroom. This comes after he was not transported for his own bond hearing two weeks ago. The state blames a paperwork mix-up.

It's now been more than 20 days since the GBI charged Everidge with Jade Holder's murder. The 19-year-old from Sylvester, Ga., was fatally beaten inside his cell at Augusta's YDC last month.

First, they want a preliminary hearing to learn the evidence against Everidge. The teen was less than two months away from being released after a purse snatching conviction in 2011.

Everidge's mother has told News 12's Lynnsey Gardner exclusively she believes a "cover-up" is behind her son's arrest.

The day after Holder died, Sgt. Marlon McCreary was fired by the DJJ for failing to lock the doors inside unit 43 the night of the beating. The termination letter said that allowed the youths to move from cell to cell and fatally beat an inmate in the custody of the DJJ and the state of Georgia.

Four days after the beating, a captain over security, Victor Martin, was suspended with pay. He is being investigated for "employee misconduct."

The DJJ says they can't comment because of the ongoing criminal investigation.

Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to announce Friday or Monday he has appointed a new interim director for the Augusta YDC. Our sources say Sardis Police Chief Gary Jones will take the job for 90 days.

The GBI is still investigating. We are told they have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests.