Anitra Gunn’s friend who cops say lied to them and concealed her death appears in court
One of slain college student Anitra Gunn’s friends, who authorities say was also the friend of the boyfriend accused of strangling Gunn on Valentine’s Day, made his first appearance in court Friday on charges he helped conceal her death.
Jaivon Thomas Abron, who in the past has lived in Peach County and who most recently was living in Valdosta, went before a magistrate here, where he was informed of the accusation against him. The judge did not set bond.
Abron, 21, was arrested Wednesday after allegedly making false statements to detectives on two occasions in Lowndes County in the wake of Gunn’s slaying.
Gunn, a 23-year-old senior at Fort Valley State University, vanished Feb. 14. Her body was found Feb. 18 in some woods in southern Crawford County, roughly five miles north of the college campus.
Gunn’s boyfriend, Demarcus D. Little, 23, an Army sergeant stationed at Fort Gordon, was charged with murder on Feb. 21.
At Friday’s hearing, which lasted about four minutes, Abron, who had yet to retain a lawyer, requested a court-appointed attorney.
Abron said he wasn’t sure if wishes to in the coming weeks have a commitment or probable-cause hearing on the death-concealing charge, which is the lone accusation he faces in Peach County. If convicted of that charge, Abron could face up to 10 years in prison.
Peach District Attorney David Cooke opposed bond for Abron, in part, because he said the authorities, who continue to gather alleged evidence in the case, believe that if Abron were granted bond that Abron “could compromise the integrity of that evidence.”
“Furthermore, your honor,” Cooke said, addressing Judge Laurens C. Lee, “we believe there will probably be some threats against (Abron), and quite frankly we fear for his safety should he be out on bond.”
Cooke, while not elaborating on such potential threats, said, “Given the weight of the evidence that we have against him at this point, we believe that he could be a threat to flee given the seriousness of the charges ... and the likelihood that we would prevail at trial.”
Law enforcement officials have yet to divulge publicly what led them to suspect Little or Abron, nor have the officials revealed whether they know the circumstances that led to Gunn’s death.
This story was originally published February 28, 2020 at 9:41 AM.