Arson suspect denied bond

March 19, 2010

Patti Dozier The Times Enterprise Fri Mar 19, 2010, 09:34 PM EDT

THOMASVILLE — The subject of a criminal investigation was denied bond Friday in another case.

Thomas County Chief Magistrate Andy Seery denied bond Friday for Elijah James, 35, on charges of first-degree arson and bringing stolen property into the state.

James’ public defender, Don Lyles, told Seery it is “uncommon” not to set bond in arson cases.

James allegedly was with Danielle Brown, a Tallahassee, Fla., woman, on the night she disappeared in early February. The case is now considered a homicide.

Brown’s vehicle, a silver 1994 Buick LeSabre, was found partially burned at the Pavo dump, resulting in the Thomas County charges.

The woman’s body has been the subject of two Thomas County searches, along with searches in nearby Florida.

James told Seery he had lived in Leon County, Fla., all his life. However, the address in James’ Thomas County Jail booking information is North Roberts Avenue in Pavo.

He said that after being released from jail last year, he had worked for a concrete business.

Lyles told Seery he had looked at a number of previous arson cases in which bonds of no more than $5,000 were granted.

Jim Prine, assistant district attorney, countered that defendants in the former cases, unlike James, were not the subject of a criminal investigation.

“We believe he is a risk to flee,” Prine said, asking the court to deny bond.

Lyles said James has not been charged with murder and does not have a record of “running from any court.”

“On the seriousness of the charges and the prior criminal history, I am denying bond,” Seery said.

James may petition Superior Court for bond.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.