Donnie Russell Rowe appeared in Putnam County Superior Court for a preliminary hearing. Rowe is one of two men accused of killing Sgt. Christopher Monica and Sgt. Curtis Billue on a transit bus in June.
Court started promptly at 10 a.m. District Attorney Stephen Bradley notified Rowe that the state is seeking the death penalty in this case. Surrounded by officers, Rowe entered the courtroom wearing a white jumpsuit, handcuffs, and shackles.
The state and defense teams did not discuss any motions, but District Attorney Stephen Bradley handed the defense team five boxes and an envelope of evidence.
On June 13th, 2017, 33 inmates and two Georgia Corrections Officers were traveling from Hancock State Prison towards Eatonton. Investigators say Donnie Rowe and Ricky Dubose got into the driver's compartment and shot and killed Sergeants Christopher Monica and Curtis Billue. After a 3-day manhunt, Rowe and Dubose were captured in middle Tennessee.
Nearly nine months after the shooting, Sgt. Curtis Billue's family was inside of the courtroom carrying a message in their hands and their hearts. “We are Curtis' voice and we will be his voice until the very end,” said Denise Billue, Sgt. Billue’s sister.
On April 17th, Rowe will be back in court for an arraignment hearing. That's when he will formally enter a plea of guilty or not guilty in this case.
The other man in this case, Ricky Allen Dubose, pleaded not guilty to all charges back in April.
Trial dates have not been set for either court case.