The father of a severely disabled man found dead more than three years ago was granted bond on a charge of murder Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Antoin Hawes, 54, has pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court. He is accused of causing the death of 28-year-old Antoin Hawes Jr. on May 13, 2018.
The deputy coroner called to the Hawes’ Kissingbower Road home, a former homicide detective, notified the Sheriff’s Office about the death. He was disturbed by what he saw at the home, Richmond County Assistant District Attorney Timothy O’Brien said during Hawes’ bond hearing.
The room where young Hawes lived was basically destroyed, O’Brien said. The windows were covered with boards, the door locked from the outside and nothing was in the room but a couch cushion covered with a trash bag, O’Brien said. The victim’s body was emaciated, and there were ligature marks on limbs, the prosecutor continued.
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Antoin Hawes Jr. died of pneumonia. Visitors to the home in the weeks before his death described hearing banging which the father said was just the victim acting up, O’Brien said. Antoin Hawes Jr. was autistic.
Defense attorney Sean Gamble told the judge Hawes’ son was non-verbal and autistic but as recently as two months before his death was described by his medical doctor as being well nourished and in good health. Antoin Hawes and his wife, Stephanie Hawes, who died in August 2018 in the county jail, took the best care of their son as they could. He had to be confined in the house because he would run outside and get into dangerous situations such as running in traffic, Gamble said.
Judge Amanda Heath agreed to set bond for Antoin Hawes at $75,000. Mental health evaluation and any prescribed treatment will be a condition of bond.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter with The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
