Tiptonville, Tenn.–The state indicated it intends to seek the death penalty for the man charged in the quadruple murder of a West Tennessee family last week.
A zoom arraignment for Austin Drummond, age 28, was held this morning in Lake County Court.
Due to the capital charges, Drummond will be held without bond and in the custody of Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
A warrant charged Drummond with four counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Kidnapping, four counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.
During the hearing, Drummond was also given a non contact order and restraining order preventing him from having any contact with any of the victim’s family members or with the infant that was left in the resident’s yard.
Austin Robert Drummond was arrested Tuesday morning in the woods in Jackson after residents saw him and called 911. He is a convicted felon with alleged ties to a violent street gang who was out on bail on an attempted murder charge and dating one victim’s sister, officials have said.
Drummond’s next court appearance will be August 14 at 9 a.m. in Lake County Circuit Court.
Three others, Giovontie Thomas, 29, Tanaka Brown, 29, and Dearrah Sanders, 23, were all arrested and charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder. Brown is also facing a Tampering with Evidence charge.