Judge denies bail request by downtown Athens killer

By Joe Johnson

A Superior Court judge this week denied a request for bail by a man who killed two people and injured a third in downtown Athens

Following a hearing on Wednesday, Judge H. Patrick Haggard denied bail to 32-year old Mark Anthony DeSousa on grounds that he was a flight risk and posed a significant danger to the community.

In custody since March, DeSousa is facing murder charges for fatally shooting Dylan Bentley and Clayton Adams 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 from behind and shot him in the head.

The killer’s attorney in April filed a motion that asked Haggard to grant him a bond not to exceed $50,000, because DeSousa needed to be able to work and earn money for his legal defense