MARIETTA, Ga. — A local police department is working to get a murderer off the streets, but they need some help.
Marietta police told Channel 2’s Dave Huddleston that Jose Badillo is violent and they consider him a danger to the public, so they’ve added to Georgia’s Most Wanted, an exclusive partnership between WSB-TV, the FBI and local law enforcement agencies.
Badillo is accused of beating a man to death with a baseball bat in 2010.
Marietta homicide detective Shane Merrit has been on the case since the day it broke.
Merritt took Huddleston to the Franklin Road apartment complex where they found the body of Boydrick Powell. Merritt said two suspects beat Powell in Sept. 2010 with a bat in a second story apartment, then tossed his body over the balcony.
“It was a pretty horrific scene,” Merritt said.
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He said another person in the apartment heard the murder and was able to help police catch one of the suspects, Jesus Perez Hernandez
“He gave a full confession as to what happened,” Merritt said.
Hernandez is now behind bars, but Badillo, his alleged accomplice, is still on the run.
“We don't have any leads as to where he might be,” Merritt said.
Badillo has tattoo's on his wrists and a large build.
For years, Merritt has worked the case, even canvassing the apartment complex but has gotten nowhere.
"This case has bothered me ever since it was one of my first ones in 2010 and I would really like to see this case put down,” Merritt said.
Merritt said Powell went to the apartment to sell drugs to the suspects, but he still didn't deserve to die.
If you have any information on Badillo’s whereabouts, contact CrimeStoppers at 404-577-8477. You can remain anonymous.