A preliminary hearing for Nathaniel David was held Wednesday, November 17, in Emanuel County Superior Court. Prosecuting the case for the State of Georgia was Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney Tripp Fitzner. Tobe Karrh from the Office of the Public Defender Middle Judicial Circuit served as David’s public defender. The case was presided over by the Honorable Judge Robert S. Reeves. Swainsboro Police Department Detective Ashley Riner was present and gave on information discovered during the investigation process regarding the September 8 murder of David’s landlord, Connie Mercer-Webb.
Following arguments heard from both sides, Karrh requested a reasonable bond be set for David. District Attorney Fitzner argued against the bond request, stating that the brutal, heinous murder of Webb was planned in advance. District Attorney Fitzner noted to the court that David was previously on bond when the murder took place for another case that included two counts aggravated assault with a firearm involved.
Judge Reeves denied the bond request.
District Attorney Fitzner commented the Friday after the preliminary hearing, “I appreciate the hard work that Swainsboro Police Department has put into the case. We’re going to try to have this case brought to court and tried as expeditiously as possible. It was presented to the grand jury today.”
