3 arrested in quadruple homicide arraigned Dec. 9 in district court

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Three Jacksonville men charged in connection with a July 20, 2021, quadruple homicide in New Summerfield have each pleaded ‘not guilty’ to capital murder charges, according to officials.

Jesse Pawlowski, Dylan Welch and Billy Phillips entered their pleas through their respective attorneys Dec. 9 during an arraignment hearing before 2nd District Court Judge Chris Day, said Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson.

The case goes into pretrial next, he said, noting that an investigation remains ongoing.

The men were indicted Oct. 6, and charged in the shooting deaths of John Clinton, 18; Amanda Bain, 39; Ami Hickey, 39; and Jeff Gerla, 47.

Bonds for each were set at $1 million with all three initially held in Cherokee County Jail. Phillips was released to the Angelina County Jail on Sept. 23.

According to CCSO reports, the shootings were motivated by robbery. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call early morning on July 20, when a body was reportedly found in a driveway. Three more victims were then found in a mobile home behind the main residence on the property.

The defendants will be tried separately in the case, Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth said previously.