Bond Denied for Suspect in Lavonia Murder

In Franklin County, a man accused in the 2016 murder of a Lavonia businessman is denied bond.

Last week, Franklin County Superior Court Chief Judge Thomas Hodges denied a bond request by Rayfondia Rashan Craft.

The hearing took place Wednesday, November 1 in Franklin County Superior Court in Carnesvillle.

Craft’s attorney requested a “reasonable” bond be set.

His attorney told the Judge his client is a not a danger to the public and is not a flight risk.

Under the bond request proposal, Craft would have been under house arrest, living with his mother in Hartwell, and would have worn an ankle monitor.

During the bond hearing, Craft’s attorney said his client should be granted bond because
they had not received copies of requested discovery from the District Attorney’s office despite repeated requests.

Additionally, Craft’s attorney told the Judge Craft has not had a hearing in the seven months since requesting discovery and has not been officially charged since his arrest on August 11, 2016.

Howevver, Northern Judicial District Attorney Parks White maintains Craft’s attorney had requested and received a four-page police report.

White also stated his office is still waiting for investigation reports from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and cannot provide disclosure until they are in possession of the documents.

In September 2016, a Franklin County Grand Jury handed down a true bill on eight felony counts against 45-year old Rayfondia Rashan Craft of Hartwell and 30-year old Kristen Odister of Bowersville.

Craft and Odister were each indicted on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Burglary in the First Degree, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery and Kidnapping.

Authorities say the couple beat the 82-year old Harbin to death sometime on August 8th 2016 after entering his home on Gilmer St. in Lavonia.

The indictment alleges the couple broke into the home, then bound Harbin with duct tape and beat him in the head, and then robbed him of a number of household items.

An autopsy by the GBI Medical Examiner ruled Harbin died of blunt force trauma to the head.

The District Attorney is seeking the death penalty for both Craft and Odister.