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A bond and preliminary hearing were held Dec. 11 at the Escambia County Courthouse for an Atmore man who is accused of murder.

According to the Atmore Police Department, Gelonte Giles, 31, has been charged with the murder of Rakeem Phillips, 32, also of Atmore.

Public Information Officer Sgt. Darrell McMann said on Dec. 6 at approximately 10:55 p.m., APD officers responded to an apartment in Point Escambia Apartments in reference to a subject who had been shot. He added that officers found Phillips suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

“Phillips was transported to Atmore Community Hospital, and then flown to a trauma center where he passed away due to his injuries,” McMann said.

McMann said officers were able to locate the suspect, Giles, and took him into custody.

“The investigation revealed that Giles and Phillips were involved in an altercation when Giles produced a firearm, and fired between three to five rounds striking Phillips multiple times,” McMann said.

District Judge Eric Coale presided over the hearing.

District Attorney Steve Billy led the prosecution. Attorney Jim Hart is representing Giles.

The hearing, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, included the calling of one witness by the prosecution.

Billy called APD Lt. Shevie Stewart, the lead investigator on the case.

Stewart was the on-call investigator, and testified that when officers responded to the scene, they found Phillips unresponsive in front of Apartment 21.

Stewart said from their investigation, Giles and Phillips got into an argument, adding that at some point afterward, he allegedly shot Phillips.

Stewart testified the gun that was used was a 12-gauge shotgun. She said three spent shell casings were found at the scene.

Later in the testimony, Stewart said Giles was found at his residence sometime after the shooting.

She said the APD went to his residence, officers surrounded the perimeter for their safety, and found the shotgun under a shed in his backyard.

Stewart said they spoke with Giles, and he said he felt threatened for his family and himself, and had no choice but to shoot.

Billy asked what the argument between Giles and Phillips pertained to, and Stewart testified it was a matter over some missing melatonin.

Stewart testified that Phillips was unarmed.

Billy asked about Giles’ criminal history.

Stewart said Giles was arrested as a juvenile and was later adjudicated as an adult in Indianapolis, Ind. on a robbery I charge with bodily injury.

Stewart said the apartment next to Phillips residence received several holes.

“I feel like this wasn’t a justification for shooting somebody,” Stewart said. “My recommendation is to hold Giles without bond.”
There was some testimony on whether or not Giles had the gun on his person when he confronted Phillips or if he went back out to his car to retrieve the gun once arriving on scene.

Hart asked Stewart who was present on scene, and she testified the APD officers, apartment residents and other officials were present.

She was asked about if she believes Giles went back out to his car to get the gun.

“I don’t know, I’m not clear on that,” she said.

Hart asked Stewart if Phillips had any longstanding arguments with anyone in the community and if anyone received any threats from the victim.

“According to Giles, Phillips threatened his wife and himself over the phone,” Stewart said.

On redirect, Billy asked about Phillips’ injuries.

“According to officers on scene, he had injuries to his head,” Stewart said.

Stewart also testified that the shell casings were found 15-20 yards away from the victim.

“In my opinion, he had an opportunity to remove himself of the situation,” she said.

Hart asked Coale to set a reasonable bond.

Billy said based on the alleged premeditation and his history, Giles should be held without bond.