An Augusta woman facing a murder charge in the death of her husband whose body was found buried at their home was denied bond Thursday, Jan. 27.
Sandra Dales, 57, has pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court. She is accused of killing her husband, 55-year-old Edward K. Cruey, who last communicated with his family in Virginia on Nov. 19, 2019.
Cruey’s father questioned Dales about her husband’s whereabouts and even traveled to Augusta in December 2019. She told him that Cruey left in November, saying he wasn’t coming back, Assistant District Attorney Dre’Kevius Huff said during Thursday’s bond hearing.
Eddie Cruey reported his son missing to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 17, 2019.
Dales admitted to a neighbor that she had killed her husband and claimed it was self-defense. On Feb. 3, 2020, sheriff’s deputies found Cruey’s body curled in a fetal position in a 3-foot by-3-foot hole next to the couple’s carport on Jeanne Road. The body was inside a black, plastic bag covered with a white substance later determined to be lime, Huff said.
[adrotate banner=”25″]
Dales told investigators she killed Cruey with a stake from a horseshoe game after he chased after her with a weapon, Huff said.
Cruey had no history of domestic violence arrests in Richmond County, but Dales had a family violence charge pending since July 27, 2019, when she was accused of hitting Cruey in the head with a hammer.
Defense attorney Rachel Dolly told the Judge Jesse Stone Thursday that she is gathering evidence of domestic violence in other states, such as Nevada where Dales said Cruey abandoned her at a truck stop.
Dales has no history of felony convictions, she has lived in the Augusta area for 40 years, and she is on disability for poor health, Dolly said. She can’t be considered a flight risk because she doesn’t drive and doesn’t own a car, her attorney said.
Judge Jesse Stone denied bond and urged the attorneys to get the case ready for trial. Dales’s case had yet to be scheduled for a trial. It is tentatively set for trial in March.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
