Fayetteville murder suspect remains jailed without bond

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

Several friends and family members wept softly as the man accused of killing a beloved Fayette County businessman, husband and father was led handcuffed and shackled into the courtroom Friday.

The sobbing grew louder as the proceedings continued. Some friends and family feared murder suspect 46-year-old Charles Sangster of Fayetteville would be granted bond in the case.

But he wasn’t.

Sangster faces charges of felony murder and malice murder for allegedly gunning down his business partner, 43-year-old Robert Groninger of Fayetteville, with an SKS 7.62 mm assault rifle.

Groninger was murdered July 6 in the parking lot of their business at 1479 N. Ga. Highway 92. Groninger and Sangster co-owned Big Tree tree service, officials said. Groninger also owned Perimeter Services, a courier service, alone.

Fayette County Sheriff Randall Johnson, who was the first on the scene, and a deputy, Sgt. Mike Jones, collared Sangster as he tried to flee the business. Sangster was taken into custody without further incident. The murder weapon also was recovered, officials said.

Sangster said little during his first appearance. But his tone appeared short as he addressed Fayette County Magistrate Judge Charles Floyd Jr. When the judge asked if he had an attorney, Sangster said “No,” sharply.

Sangster responded in the negative again when Floyd asked him if he wanted to continue without an attorney.

Floyd disrupted the 2 p.m. bond hearing to allow the businessman to procure an attorney from the public defender’s office. Public defender Joe Saia appeared with Sangster when the proceeding resumed at 3 p.m.

Floyd told Sangster that he could not grant bond and his attorney would have to petition the Superior Court for bond. Magistrate judges cannot grant bond for suspects accused of committing one of the “seven deadly sins.” Those crimes are murder, rape, kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery and aggravated child molestation.

Saia asked the judge to schedule a preliminary hearing for Sangster.

Floyd agreed. Sangster’s next court appearance will be Aug. 2.

Saia said he doubted bond would be granted to the murder suspect. That’s why he asked the judge to simply schedule a preliminary hearing.

If convicted, Sangster could face life in prison or the death penalty.


		Friday, July 15, 2005