EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. () — The father accused of killing his two children in 2017 and 2018 at their home in Guyton was back in court this week.
On Monday, Elwyn Crocker Sr. attended court for numerous motion hearings. His accused accomplices, Kimberly Wright and Mark Wright, are also charged in connection with the murders of Elwyn Crocker Jr. and Mary Crocker. The prosecution is pursuing the death penalty for all three defendants.
Mary was only 14 years old when she died. Elwyn Jr. is believed to have been deceased for two years by the time his body was discovered in 2018, at which point he would have been 16 years old.
Click here for background on the case.
Candice Crocker, the children’s stepmother, and Roy Prater, Kimberly Wright’s boyfriend, took plea deals in the case in October 2020.
Discussion of evidence
Monday marked the beginning of three days this week during which Judge Matthew Hube will review motions from both the defense and the prosecution. Elwyn Sr. was present in court as evidence was presented, including photographs, text messages, and even internet search histories from other family members.
It’s been over 6 years since the bodies of Elwyn Jr. and Mary Crocker were found at their home in Guyton. The prosecution said this case has gone on too long.
“This week is the week to hear all remaining motions to get this case moving forward where it needs to be, because six years is unreasonable,” Assistant District Attorney Matthew Breedon said.
Over a dozen motions were heard, many of them about the evidence to be presented during the trial. Defense Attorney Jerilyn Bell stated several times that the defense wanted a list of the photos and videos the prosecution would be presenting at the trial.
“We are making sure that there are not jurors that should not be on this jury based upon what we know is going to be coming,” Bell said.
The prosecution said they don’t have to disclose specifics.
“There is no requirement for the state, nor has there ever been, to list each and every exhibit that we are going to present at trial. Not only list the exhibit, but to lay out our theory of the case for the defense as to why this photograph is relevant,” Breedon said.
In another motion, the defense also wanted to stop the prosecution from presenting some evidence from electronic devices found in the Crocker home with no specific owner. Also being considered is the internet history of Mark Wright, the children’s step-uncle.
“[Mark Wright] was searching for signs of concussion. And you saw there was a message where Mary had been hit in the head too many times,” Breedon said. “[Searches also included] ‘modern CPR,” yellow pill of death,’ ‘yellow pills that kill’ and ‘the effects of drinking Clorox.’ Now, he did make some internet searches that were pretty disturbing as far as pornographic material dealing with minor children.”
The state said the internet searches point to the conditions the children were in, particularly Mary, who was reportedly malnourished, sexually assaulted and forced to sleep in a dog kennel.
Shockingly, prosecutors said Elwyn Sr. was texting his wife while burying his daughter’s body.
“He tells Candice Crocker that he is knee deep in the hole where he’s burying his daughter. She says, ‘Alright, got to go way deeper.’ And he says he’s at his hips now,” Breedon said.
Motion hearings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday as well. Wednesday, a medical examiner is expected to discuss and determine what autopsy photos will be presented at the trial.
Motion to recuse Ogeechee Circuit District Attorney’s Office
Another motion by the defense was to recuse the DA’s office from the case altogether, citing that years ago, the office went through the wrong channels to get Elwyn Sr.’s medical records. Whether the DA’s office will be recused is up to Judge Hube.
