Attorney seeks bail for client accused of two Athens murders

By Joe Johnson

An attorney representing a man accused of murdering two people in downtown Athens has filed a motion that seeks to have his client released from jail on bail.

Mark Anthony DeSousa is facing murder charges for fatally shooting Dylan Bentley and Clayton Adams last March in a parking lot off North Jackson Street.

A third victim, Landon Skinner, survived being shot in the face.

According to court filings, Bentley was killed execution style when Desousa walked up to him from behind and shot him in the head.

Desousa has been jailed without bail since his arrest the day of the shootings.

His defense attorney has filed a motion that asks a judge to grant him a bond not to exceed $50,000.

Kim Stephens states that if granted bond, DeSousa would live with his parents in Jefferson and continue operating his company that provides such services as auto body repair and window tinting.

The motion states that DeSousa needs to be able to work in order to pay for his legal defense.

Stephens also claims that his client’s safety Is at risk at the county jail.

“Specifically, an allegation has arisen of an officer with the Athens-Clarke County Sheriff’s Office having association with members of the lofcally affiliated Bloods and using that connection to organize (DeSousa) being jumped,” Stephens states in the motion.

A hearing on the motion has been scheduled for June 3rd.