Suspects In Bobby Tillman's Party Beating Death In Court

A pair of men accused in the beating death of an 18-year-old faced a judge Friday moing. It was their first court appearance since the Douglas County district attoey announced plans to seek the death penalty against them.

Georgia Newsday went to the Douglas County Courthouse where Emmanuel Boykins and Tracen Franklin faced a judge. The two are accused of beating and stomping Bobby Tillman to death outside of a Douglasville house party in November.

Tillman’s mother and supporters were in the courtroom Friday as the judge urged for the case to move forward as it is more than a year old. He set a trial date for next year.

”The trial is on June the 1st 2012, and if y’all are not ready by then, we'll just have to address your inability to be ready by then as that trial date approaches, Judge Maclain said.

The next court date, a motion hearing, for Boykins and Franklin is scheduled for Nov. 17. Two other teens were charged in the killing, but they are not facing the death penalty.

Emmanuel Benjamin Boykins appeared first before a Douglas County judge.

Each of the 4 co-defendants was handcuffed and shackled

Prosecutors say Boykins stomped, punched and kicked Tillman to death.

Quantez Devonta Mallory appeared second this moing.

Mallory wipes his eyes during the hearing.

Family members break into tears during the hearing.

Horace Damon Coleman is the third suspect in the death.

Coleman and the others spoke very little, only answering the judge's questions with "yes, sir."

Tracen Lamar Franklin is the fourth suspect in the beating.