Clash over phone records stalls Bibb County murder trial

A dispute over inmate phone calls slowed the trial of a Bibb County teenager who’s accused of killing a 16-year-old.

Testimony continued Thursday evening in the trial of Jedarrius Treonta Meadows Jr., who’s charged with murder in the shooting death of Damian Bernard “Little Petey” Clayton at a ball field in February 2014.

Meadows is also charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and violating the state’s gang act.

Clayton was found shot five times at the Macon Little League ball field on Anthony Road, across from Henderson Stadium. He died later at a hospital.

The trial was delayed for several hours Thursday -- and nearly ended in a mistrial -- after an investigator’s discovery Wednesday night of several recorded Bibb County jail inmate phone calls.

Prosecutor John Regan said the calls contradicted Meadows’ assertion that he wasn’t at the ball field when Clayton was robbed and shot to death.

Jay Davis, one of Meadows’ lawyers, argued against admitting the calls as evidence, contending that prosecutors acted in “bad faith” by not turning over five 15-minute phone calls before trial.

The calls were recorded between March 2014 and September 2014 and were available to prosecutors, he said.

Regan said he only became aware of the calls Thursday morning and immediately informed Meadows’ defense team.

Superior Court Judge Howard Simms ruled against Davis’ “bad faith” contention and said he’d allow the calls into evidence.

Simms asked Meadows if he wanted a mistrial or if he wanted the trial to continue.

Meadows initially said he wanted a mistrial -- which would have given him a new trial at a later date, but after meeting with his lawyers, he said he wanted the trial to proceed.

Roland Rah’saun Watson, a 17-year-old who also was charged with murder in the case, was called to testify Thursday afternoon.

Watson took a plea bargain in the case last month.

At the outset of his testimony, Watson denied knowing Meadows.

In response, Regan played a video of his statement to police to “refresh” his memory.

In the video of his Feb. 24, 2014, statement, Watson admitted exchanging text messages and phone calls with Clayton on the day of the shooting. He also admitted to investigators in the video that he knew Meadows.

Testimony is set to continue Friday afternoon.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.