Additional charges have been filed in two recent Hall County shootings – one a week ago and the other over the weekend.
Gainesville Police Thursday confirmed that Pablino Garcia who was charged with aggravated assault in the critical wounding of a 15-year-old boy March 6 on the east side of town has now been charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. A second aggravated assault charge has also been added but police have not said what it relates to.
And the motive for the incident which occurred at Wee Willy’s convenience store?
A police spokesman said it is “still unknown.” Earlier reports said a “transaction” was involved. Asked Thursday if it was a drug deal gone bad, he did not elaborate beyond what he had already said.
MURDER CASE
The 61-year-old woman who was charged by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) early Saturday with the shooting death of her live-in boyfriend is now facing a tampering with evidence charge.
However, a spokesman said he could not elaborate on the charge, that it is “self-explanatory,” adding “What I can tell you is that this crime does relate to the murder case. Because of the ongoing and active nature of this investigation, the Public Information Office is not releasing additional information on this latest charge. As the investigation moves forward and the case moves through court, we anticipate more details will emerge.”
In addition to felony murder, Suzanne Renee Mericle (pictured) had already been charged with aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. James David Barron, 68, was found in a bedroom of the couple’s Bayridge Drive home.