Assault suspect faces charges in robbery, home invasion

A match between shell casings found at what was believed to be three unrelated crimes tied an Augusta man to the string of violence, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Pennington said the state extremely opposed Byron Harris’ request for bond. At the conclusion of a Richmond County Superior Court bond hearing, Judge Ashley Wright denied bond.

Harris, 26, is currently only charged with aggravated assault and weapon charges in a Sept. 21 incident that started with the robbery and beating of a man suspected of stealing from a friend of Harris’ while the two were in jail, Pennington said. The charges, however, relate to Harris’ alleged participation in the shooting of a teen while trying to make him “dance,” she said.

Pennington said she will take two new cases to the grand jury – a home invasion in which a man was shot, and the shooting of a clerk at a Tobacco Road Family Dollar store in August.

Sheriff investigators believe the three crimes are related because 40-caliber shell casings found at each scene match, Pennington said. Victims identified Harris through photographic lineups, she said.

Harris has prior convictions for burglary and interference with government property in 2012 and shoplifting in 2015. He also has a pending theft charge.

Defense attorney Khary Talley asked the judge to only consider the case in which Harris has been indicted for – the aggravated assault and weapon charges. Harris has a self-defense claim in that case, Talley said.