COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne has learned a College Park mom charged in her son's death planned an alleged escape from jail.
A mother charged with second-degree murder is now accused of trying to escape from custody.
Latoya Tilson is in the Fulton County Jail on charges that she accidentally shot her son, 15-year-old Pierre Tilson in the head while trying to break up a fight.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne talked to prosecutors about what they called an elaborate plan to escape during her son’s viewing.
A Fulton County Jail commander said if an inmate listens she should be able to tell that someone is listening on the call.
“They can review those recorded phone calls and video visitations at their leisure from their office,” Col. Mark Adger with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said.
A public defender told Channel 2 Action News she is waiting to see what charges the district attorney’s office will seek from a grand jury. She anticipated Tilson will plead not guilty.
“The plan included an unidentified female arriving at the funeral home, with a vehicle to aid in her getaway,” the report said. It is apparent inmate Tilson assumed she had been approved for a compassion visit to view the body of her deceased son.”
Jail officials told Winne Tilson was never approved for a compassion visit nor had she filled out an application for one.
In a statement to Channel 2 Action News, District Attorney Paul L. Howard said:
"Sheriff Ted Jackson and his staff have been enormously sensitive to the requests of inmates desiring to attend funeral proceedings for deceased relatives. We believe this is a good practice that should be continued whenever reasonable and practical.
We were disappointed to learn that an inmate recently attempted to jeopardize this most benevolent courtesy. In the process, she could have potentially placed the victim's family and friends as well as sheriff's deputies in harm's way.
We are thankful that we were able, with the assistance of the sheriff's office, to thwart this plot. We hope it will dissuade others from making similar attempts."
College Park police charged Tilson with the death of her son 15-year old Pierre Tilson. Pierre Tilson died at Grady hospital three days after the shooting.
With her father's permission, 12-year old Lashae Tilson explained what happened at that Godby Road apartment complex Friday evening. She said she, Pierre and her sister Coco were attacked by a group of people after they mistakenly believe the three had made fun of one of their friends. Lashae said Pierre defended his sisters then ran inside and told his mother what had happened. She said her mother put a gun in her pocket and stepped outside to confront the group.
"She just came outside, but this time, she came protected," said Lashae. "She knew something was going to go down, so she came protected."
Lashae said the group started beating up Tilson. When she got her hands free, Lashae said she attempted to shoot her attacker.
"So they were jumping on her," said Lashae. "She came up. When she realized her hands were free, she came up off the ground shooting. The boy that she was trying to shoot, he ducked, and my brother was in the way. He got hit."
Police said Pierre suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. They also said Tilson fired another shot wounding another person, though that injury was not thought too be life threatening.
WSBTV
