Friday, January 8, 2021

Elderly exploitation suspect to remain in jail

by Sandy Hodson

A woman jailed three years ago for multiple charges of neglect and exploitation of an elderly adult will remain in custody because she hasn't been able to post the $20,000 bond.

Attorneys for Julia Hunter, 63, tried to persuade the judge during a Richmond County Superior Court bond hearing Tuesday that her situation is unfair. She has been jailed for three years because she has no money of her own or family able to make a $20,000 bond. If and when she could stand trial is unknown. The chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court suspended all jury trials in the state last month because of the worsening pandemic.

Hunter has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against her in a 15-count indictment.

She was arrested Dec. 25, 2017, about a month after she was found in the home of an 88-year-old retired medical school professor. The smell of chemicals from the manufacturing of methamphetamine combined with the smell of dirt, mold and rotting food made the home unbearable, according to the officer who responded to the family's and neighbor's request for a welfare check on the elderly man.

Two other people – John Unger, 32, and Grace McCarthy, 26 – also face charges in the same case. They have each pleaded not guilty and are free on bond.

Hunter has no history of felony convictions. The prosecutor consented to the $20,000 bond, but objected to Hunter's request to be released on her own recognizance. Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. rejected the request for an own-recognizance bond in August 2019 and again Tuesday.

Defense attorney Andrew Williams found a 12-week in-patient rehabilitation program for Hunter. Assistant District Attorney Tom Watkins opposed the request for the OR bond Tuesday.

Blanchard said Tuesday that he might reconsider bond if the defense can convince him of Hunter's stabilityto reduce chances of possible flight or harm to the community.

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