The Hall County Sheriff’s Office and Gainesville Police Department were called to the Hall County courthouse Friday night after verbal disputes between spectators broke out during a murder trial.
The sheriff's office released a statement Monday, saying the incident started during the victim impact portion of the trial of Deon Altron Ellison, who was convicted in the murder of his cousin Jeremiah James Bonds on Nov. 1.
Ellison reportedly began to shout during the reading of statements, which led to additional verbal disputes from the gallery. Tensions began to escalate in the courtroom and courthouse deputies requested aid from patrol deputies and Gainesville officers in clearing spectators from the building.
Spectators were asked to leave the premises, with deputies monitoring their departure.
None of the verbal arguments turned physical, according to the statement, but one woman reportedly suffered a panic attack in the incident. A medical unit was called to the scene, but the woman refused transport.
No one was arrested in the incident.
Ellison, of Gainesville was convicted of shooting and killing Bonds in August 2023. Bonds’ body was discovered in a vehicle just off of the entrance ramp from Jesse Jewell Parkway to Interstate 985 northbound. A witness told authorities at the time of the investigation that Bonds had been driving the vehicle exiting I-985 northbound at Jesse Jewell Parkway when Ellison and Bonds began arguing. The argument escalated and Ellison pulled out a handgun and shot Bonds in the head.
Ellison Fled the scene but was later found and arrested. He was convicted Friday on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Judge Kathleen Goslin sentenced Ellison to life with the possibility of parole, plus five years on Monday, Nov. 4.
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