Suspects in Hinesville hotel shooting make court appearance

HINESVILLE, GA (WTOC) - Three suspects involved in the shooting death of Markese Mahone at the Days Inn on Oglethorpe Highway on Thursday, October 2nd were in court on Monday.

James Stumps and Derrick Harvey were charged with murder and criminal attempt to commit an armed robbery. Liberty County Judge Jimmie Bowmar denied bond for both of the men.

The third suspect Julous Mathenia has also been charged with murder according to Liberty County Detective, Chuck Woodall.

Mathenia was the alleged driver and not at the location at the time of the shooting but was charged as the others under Georgia law.  He is also charged with criminal attempt to commit an armed robbery.

The men were arrested on Saturday and taken into custody by the Liberty County Sheriff's Office.

According to Liberty County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dustin Rushing, Mahone was found lying outside of two rooms in a pool of blood. He said Mahone was lying face down and was unresponsive.

An employee with the Days Inn told WTOC Mahone was a guest at the hotel, and was staying in a room close to where he was shot. He said that particular building normally holds long term or permanent renters instead of overnight guests.

An autopsy was performed Friday morning, which confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the left shoulder.

The men, Derrick Harvey, age 19, James Stumps, age 20, and Julous Mathenia, age 22 were initially arrested for criminal attempt to commit armed robbery.

The suspects are from Hinesville and surrounding Long County area.

Further investigation determined that the original action by the three was to rob the victim, during the robbery he was shot and killed as a result of his injuries.

The investigation is continuing, with valuable evidence and information being gathered and presented to the District Attorney's Office.

If anyone has information regarding this case, please call us at the Liberty County Sheriff's Office.