Drummond’s bond revoked in attempted murder charge

TIPTONVILLE - Austin Drummond’s bond related to an attempted murder charge and drug possession while serving time in the Northwest Tennessee Correctional Facility has been revoked.

Drummond was released from the Tennessee Department of Corrections facility in September of 2024 after his sentence was served for an aggravated robbery charge in Jackson in 2014.

But before his release, he was charged with the two charges while in prison but was out on bond when the bodies of James Matthew Wilson II, Adrianna Williams, Braydon Williams and Cortney Rose were discovered on Carrington Road just north of Tiptonville on July 29.

Two days later, Drummond was identified publicly as a suspect, placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list and was considered armed and dangerous.

He was apprehended in a residential area in North Jackson on Aug. 5.

Danny Goodman Jr., the District Attorney General for the 29th Judicial District that includes Lake County, filed a motion for Drummond’s bond to be revoked for the prior charges.

His bond in the quadruple murder was already denied by Lake County General Sessions Judge Andrew Cook.

On Monday, Aug. 25, Drummond appeared in Circuit Court before Judge Mark Hayes, who heard the case from Goodman and Drummond’s attorney, Drew Farmer, from Jackson.

TBI Special Agent Matt Harper, who investigated the quadruple murder, was a witness for the state.

He explained one reason why Drummond is the suspect in the case.

Farmer asked Harper why Drummond was the suspect.

“How much time do you have?” Harper replied.

An objection by Goodman delayed the conversation, but Hayes indicated that while the entire trial wouldn’t be heard in the hearing, Harper should answer the question enough to determine the fate of the bond.

Harper indicated there were multiple phone numbers attributed to Drummond that were on the scene of where the bodies were found on Carrington Road on July 29.

Harper also indicated when asked that while TBI announced the discovery of the four bodies about 8 p.m., the murders were indicated to have happened “that morning.”

They also analyzed security footage video from Aug. 3 of Drummond allegedly trying to get in the doors of Cornerstone Community Church while carrying an AR pistol.

That video was the reason for two more charges being added to Drummond’s list of accusations: Attempted burglary and unlawful possession of a weapon.

When asked about identifying Drummond on the video, Harper indicated he’s seen Drummond enough to know him when he sees him even though he didn’t look directly at the camera at the church.

Farmer asked about the gun, and Harper indicated information from Tanaka Brown, who was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 1, for accessory to murder after the fact, that Drummond had dropped off the gun with him the day before the homicides.

Then on the day of - July 29 - Drummond’s cellular data indicated he went to the scene where the bodies were found, left and went elsewhere then returned to the scene before going to Madison County.

According to Harper, the information law enforcement had that week before he was apprehended, Drummond was in Jackson at different places as they were searching for him.

After about 30 minutes of Harper’s testimony plus presentations and debate from Farmer and Goodman, Hayes ruled that revoking Drummond’s bond would be appropriate for public safety.

Drummond will appear next in court for this charge on Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.

One other thing Farmer brought up during the hearing was the media coverage of Drummond’s case as while Farmer was discussing the case with Drummond before the hearing, Farmer was alerted to a video circulating on social media with alleged leaked security footage of the incident from which his attempted murder charges stem.

“I’m concerned about videos like this being leaked,” Farmer said, to which Goodman immediately said his office did not do. Farmer said he didn’t think Goodman’s office would do that, but he wanted to note on record that this is an apparent issue in this case.

Farmer declined to comment on the video after the hearing.

Goodman said the state feels like it has plenty of evidence linking Drummond to the murders including a motive.

Drummond’s preliminary hearing for the quadruple murder is Sept. 4.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news