Amherst County man facing murder charge denied bond

Justin Davis was denied bond Thursday. He faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of 19-year-old Justin Baumgardner.

By: Aaron Lee | New Era Progress
Published: June 12, 2008

AMHERST — An Amherst County deputy’s son was denied bond Thursday on a first-degree murder charge.

Justin Baumgardner (above) was found dead the morning of May 4.

Virginia State Police last month charged Justin Davis, 25, of Amherst, in connection with a May 3 shooting that left 19-year-old Justin Baumgardner dead.

Baumgardner was found dead in his pickup truck in a driveway off Elon Road the morning of May 4.

Authorities arrested Timothy Wayne Wright Jr., 21, two days later.

According to a search warrant, Davis told police he was with Wright when Baumgardner was shot and that Wright stole his Cobra .380 semi-automatic handgun used in the shooting. The gun has not been recovered.

Wright was initially charged with abducting Davis, the son of Amherst County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Davis. That charge has since been dropped.

Davis was charged with murder after Amherst County Sheriff Jimmy Ayers turned over the investigation to state police to avoid a conflict of interest.

Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney Marsha Garst was also appointed to handle prosecuting Davis to avoid conflicting interests with Amherst Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Maddox’s office.

Thursday’s hearing was held in Amherst General District Court and was presided over by Judge Harold Black.

Davis is being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Lynchburg. Lynchburg-based attorney Scott DeBruin is representing him.