MACON, Ga. — Former Bibb Schools deputy superintendent Edward Judie was back in Bibb Superior Court after he was arrested last week for an outstanding warrant from 2021. Judie's defense said when he was indicted the grand jury recommended he face multiple charges.
One was felony murder and another for distributing the cocaine that killed his wife, Joyce Judie. There were two warrants issued for one murder, but Edward received a bond only for the felony murder charge.
The outstanding warrant for cocaine distribution put him back in the courtroom Friday afternoon. Joyce's daughter, Ebonie Toye, and sister, Angelia Fox-Dallas, spoke at the hearing trying to get his bond denied.
"We was hoping what we had to say would touch the judge's heart that they revoke the bond and he would stay in jail until he went to trial," Angelia said.
Edward's defense argued he was not a flight risk. Judge Philip T. Raymond III agreed and said Edward had not violated the terms of his current bond.
"We just need to allow this to proceed as it was. Let him be booked in under that," Raymond said.
Edward will be back on the streets pending trial. Duany Dallas is Joyce's brother-in-law. He said he understands due process takes time, but not this much time.
"If she died back in 2019 and we're in 2024. When will we get justice," Duany questioned.
Angelia said ten days after she lost her only sister, one of her brothers died of a broken heart.
"We ended up having a double funeral for my sister and my brother and it has been so devastating for our family," Angelia said.
Judge Raymond agrees a trial date needs to be set.
"That needs to happen. These folks need closure. The court needs to close this," Raymond said.
Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard explained they're waiting for the green light from the courts.
"What I'm saying to the court is the state is ready, but we are not in control of when cases are tried," Howard said.
Angelia and Duany said they drove to Macon from Tampa just to attend the hearing. Angelia said even though they didn't get what they'd hoped, she was glad she made the trip.
Edward was Bibb's deputy superintendent of student affairs from 2011 to 2015.