Husband Killed his Wife in front of their Children, Arrested in Georgia after being on the Run for almost a year
Dallas, GA: The authorities in Georgia arrested a man who skipped a court hearing and spent more than a year on the run. It is alleged that he murdered his wife in front of their young children in 2017.
Jonathan Bates, 44, was apprehended by the Dawson Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service, as stated in a recent Facebook post. Bates faces a range of serious charges, including felony murder, malice murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and cruelty to children.
According to records, Bates has had a warrant for his arrest since he did not appear for a court hearing in October 2022.
A tragic incident occurred in May 2017 at the home of Bates in Dallas, Georgia, where his wife Cynde Bates, 28, lost her life. Based on the indictment, it is claimed that he forcefully pushed her, resulting in her falling and hitting her head on a love seat. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of the couple’s young children, aged 4 and 7.
Cynde Bates passed away at a hospital after being declared brain-dead, according to court documents.
According to reports, Jonathan Bates reportedly admitted to pushing a police officer who attempted to embrace him. She had previously made allegations of domestic violence against him and informed her family members of her intentions to initiate divorce proceedings.
He was arrested by the police, but in June 2017, a judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the murder charges. Instead, the case was only moved forward for simple battery. Cynthia Bates’ family members were deeply angered by the decision.
According to a report by WSB, it was revealed that the judge had connections to Jonathan Bates’ family. He eventually decided to remove himself from the situation.
Jonathan Bates was later indicted by a grand jury, resulting in the reinstatement of the murder charges. He posted a $16,500 bond and subsequently missed the October 2022 court hearing. His lawyers argue that his wife’s death was unintentional.
Following his apprehension, law enforcement officers transferred Bates to the Dawson County Jail before extraditing him to the Paulding County Jail on Wednesday. There is no bond in place. The timing of his next court appearance remains uncertain.
