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Inmates Accused of Killing Guards Face Murder Charges

Rutherford County Sheriff's Office via AP

Two inmates accused of killing their guards on a Georgia prison bus have been brought before a judge on charges including murder, felony escape and hijacking a motor vehicle.

Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Stephen Bradley said it is very clearly a death penalty case.

Multiple news outlets report that Donnie Russell Rowe, 43, and Ricky Dubose, 24, appeared in court in Putnam County, southeast of Atlanta, on Wednesday.

The judge declined to set bond, citing the nature of the charges.

The two men are accused of disarming and killing sergeants Christopher Monica 42, and Curtis Billue, 58, while escaping from the prison transfer bus on June 13, then carjacking a motorist to get away.

Credit Rutherford County Sheriff's Office via AP
Donnie Russell Rowe

They were arrested two days later in Tennessee following an intense manhunt. A rural Tennessee homeowner held them at gunpoint, June 15, 2017, until reinforcements arrived.

Credit Tennessee Bureau of Investigation via AP
Donnie Rowe and Ricky Dubose captured

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