Friday vigil to memorialize Augusta murder victim in wake of suspect receiving bond
A man suspected of fatally shooting Anthony Lee Flowers this summer was released from jail on a signature bond.
Flowers' mother, Sophia Christian, said her family is left wondering when they will gain justice for the 33-year-old victim that Frederick McNeal, 62, allegedly shot in the head and neck on July 26 at the C Corner Convenience Store on Wheeless Road.
McNeal is charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was granted bond on Aug. 26.
Christian hopes to find some measure of justice at a midday vigil planned for Friday.
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'He was a sweetheart'
Christian said her son was a sweetheart and never had trouble with anyone. She added he loved music, dancing, reading the bible and the Dallas Cowboys.
"He loved music – R&B, rap, reggae – and he loved to dance," she said through tears. "He also loved reading the Bible and Harry Potter. He has the whole collection of all the Harry Potter books."
After losing her son, who she said worked for McNeal, Christian said life hasn't been the same.
"Every day I remember," she said. "I just had a birthday and Tony usually called me like, 'Mom, it's your birthday. Happy birthday, mom.' He called me pretty much every day and now it's just like an empty hole."
'The justice system really failed us'
Judge Daniel J. Craig granted McNeal a signature bond, which means a person is released on their "own recognizance." They provide a signature and no money is involved.
Christian said she feels Craig did not give an adequate explanation on why he was released, only stating McNeal has a medical condition.
With McNeal free, Christian said she fears for the community's safety.
"Who knows if he's going to come to court," she said. "You've been charged with malice murder and felony murder and you're out walking the streets. ... The justice system really failed us."
Augusta District Attorney Jared Williams said his office asked the judge to deny bond.
"The District Attorney's Office opposed this defendant's release," Williams said. "This is a murder case. There is a victim, a grieving family, a community deserving of safety. Despite our opposition, whether to grant or deny bond is solely the judge’s decision.”
Vigil planned for Friday
The Augusta chapter of Moms Demand Action has planned a vigil for Flowers in front of the Augusta courthouse, located at 735 James Brown Blvd., at 1 p.m. Friday.
"[Flowers' family] told us that they felt like they are not being heard by the judge and their representatives in congress," said Niki Gunter, communications lead for Augusta Moms Demand Action. "I think they just really want to do something with their grief and they want their voice to be heard. ... This one situation is really a microcosm for a bigger problem in Augusta and nationwide."
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Moms Demand Action, representatives from March for Our Lives Augusta and the family will be in attendance, according to Gunter. She said they are hoping for a large community presence.
The event is scheduled midday because McNeal is set to be arraigned Friday morning.
"Justice has got to be served somehow, some way," Christian said. "I don't want to wait two years for justice to be served. That is just so unfair."
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Family of Anthony Flowers angered that murder suspect got bond
