Fourth person charged in killing of Glennville historian

TATTNALL COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - A fourth person has been charged in the killing of Glennville historian Bobby Kicklighter on Saturday, January 30, 2021.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has charged Nathan Weekes, 25, an inmate with the Georgia Department of Corrections, after their investigation found Weekes had participated in contraband smuggling at Smith State Prison. Weekes is charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony (Murder) and Party to a Crime in connection with the killing of Kicklighter. He is currently serving time for multiple counts of Armed Robbery.

GBI says the investigation into contraband smuggling is related to the murder investigation.

Weekes has also been charged by the Georgia Department of Corrections with 19 contraband related warrants, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, two counts of Unauthorized Possession of Weapon by Inmate and 16 counts of Items Prohibited for Possession by Inmates without the Consent of the Warden.

On Monday, GBI announced the arrests of three people in connection with the murder investigation. GBI says Christopher Reginald Sumlin, 31, of Newton; Aerial De Shay Murphy, 23, of Vidalia; and Keisha Janae Jones, 34, of Ludowici were arrested after obtaining arrest warrants in late July.

Sumlin was held in Clayton County on unrelated charges. Murphy was arrested in Detroit, Michigan and has been extradited to Georgia. Jones was arrested in Long County. All three are being held at Tattnall County Jail, according to GBI.

GBI is continuing their investigation and expects additional arrests. Charges are listed below:

• Christopher Sumlin charged with Murder, Home Invasion-1st degree, Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony (Murder), Tampering with Evidence, Party to a Crime, Hindering Apprehension or Punishment of a Criminal, False Statements or Writings, Elder Abuse, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
• Aerial Murphy charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony (Murder), Tampering with Evidence, Party to a Crime, Hindering the Apprehension or Punishment of a Criminal, and False Statements and Writings.
• Keisha Jones charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony (Murder), Tampering with Evidence, and Party to a Crime.

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