The trial proceedings for Lee Allen Mayhew, who is accused of murdering Bulloch County native Bonnie Lanier Rushing in October of 2020, will begin this week in the Superior Court of Bulloch County.
Motion hearings took place on Friday, January 27, during which Mayhew filed a motion to replace his public defender. That motion was denied. Jury selection will begin at 9am on Monday, January 30. The trial will proceed immediately following jury selection in Judge Lovett Bennett's courtroom.
Mayhew is charged with the following: one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, one count aggravated assault, two counts burglary (1st degree; felony), one count possession of a firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, five counts theft by taking (felony), and one count receipt/possession or transfer of firearm by convicted felon or felony first offender.
He will be represented by a public defender.
History of the alleged crime
Around 5pm, Thursday, October 22, 2020, a victim in the area of Old River Road South arrived home to discover a suspicious vehicle parked in his carport. The homeowner realized that his home had been burglarized and items, including firearms, were missing. He notified the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department, who identified Lee Allen Mayhew, a criminal with outstanding warrants for firearm violations, as the prime suspect.
They began searching for Mayhew with the sheriff’s K9 team, supported by the Georgia State Patrol Air Unit and the U.S. Marshal Service.
After several hours, they called off the search for Mayhew.
Rushing home burglary and murder on Friday, October 23
The following day, on Friday afternoon, Mayhew is believed to have broken into Bonnie Rushing’s home, which was approximately five miles from the initial burglary report on Thursday. At some point, he apparently made contact with Bonnie Rushing and shot her, killing her.
He then allegedly stole her vehicle and fled the scene. He was tracked to Florida, where he was arrested without incident that same Friday night in Columbia County, a few counties west of Jacksonville. The following day, he faced charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by taking motor vehicle, and burglary.
The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the GBI with the murder of Rushing and the burglaries.
Extensive criminal history
Prior to this alleged crime spree, Mayhew was wanted by the United States Marshal Service for federal firearms violations, which led to members of the U.S. Marshals’ Fugitive Task Force joining in the search.
Mayhew has a lengthy record of offenses in Tennessee, dating back to 1996, when he was 20 years old.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Mayhew also served time in Florida. In 1999, Mayhew was charged with burglary in Volusia County and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was incarcerated in June 1999 and was released in March 2003.
In 2008, Mayhew was convicted on five counts of aggravated burglary, and received five concurrent 10-year sentences.
In 2016, Mayhew was charged with vehicle theft, DUI, resisting police, and driving without insurance in Nashville, Tennessee. He had been convicted the previous month on two counts of auto theft and received two three-year probated sentences.
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