Augusta man denied bond in murder case

An Augusta man accused of nearly decapitating a woman three years ago must remain in jail pending trial, a judge ruled Friday.

William Burum, 50, has pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to charges of murder and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime. Judge Ashley Wright denied bond Friday, finding he posed a danger to the community.

When Richmond County sheriff’s deputies entered the Economy Inn room to check on Shakera Baxter, they saw a scene out of a horror movie, Assistant District Attorney Klaxton Wilson told the judge. Baxter was face down on the floor, and blood was on the floor, walls and ceiling. Baxter had been stabbed 55 times, and the cuts to her neck nearly severed her head, Wilson said.

Security video captured Burum as the last person leaving that room April 27, 2017. Employing search warrants, investigators searched Burum’s vehicle and home. Blood on the driver’s seat was determined to be Baxter’s, andinvestigators found a bloody knife next to Burum’s bed , Wilson said.

Burum gave various accounts about what happened, settling with self-defense, Wilson said.

Burum’s criminal history includes armed robbery.

Baxter’s mother, Racquel Baxter, asked the judge to deny bond, saying Burum left two children motherless.

“I want justice,” she said. “I want this animal to be held accountable for the hole this has made in my family.”