Judicial District 6 Assistant District Attorney Keith Werner did announce in Halifax County Superior Court today that the death penalty would not be sought in the August 4 murder.

All three defendants were brought into the courtroom today so the state could announce its intentions on how it would proceed in the cases against Dalonte Bradley, Semaj Clanton and Teddy Keith Anderson.

Werner noted that each will have separate trials.

Anderson's attorney revealed some of the motive behind the case as he sought a reduced bond for his client.

Michael Driver, a Raleigh attorney representing the 19-year-old Anderson, asked for a reduced bond for his client because he had no criminal convictions. “His mother and sister are in court. If he is released Mr. Anderson would live with his grandmother in Roanoke Rapids.”

Driver said two other shooting victims that evening have prior convictions. He identified one of them, Wilson Green, as a gang member.

He said a search warrant noted the events that led to the shooting death of Garner and the wounding of Green and Calvin Robinson on The Strip in Weldon were part of an arranged shootout to settle differences. “I believe $250,000 bond is adequate to assure his appearance in court.”

Werner argued, however, that the shooting of Garner led to retaliation “and a baby was killed. I don't believe anyone involved in any of the murders should be released.”

Hinton denied a reduced bond for Anderson.

Meanwhile, Werner announced the state would seek the death penalty for Victor Mallory, one of the four charged in the shooting death of 2-year-old Dy'Uanna Anderson, the toddler who was killed in retaliation, authorities believe, to the Garner murder.

Werner announced in December the state would seek the death penalty for three of the four charged in the child's murder, saying then the state would seek death for Semaj Short.

The third person the state plans to seek the death penalty for in the case remains unknown.