Liberty County judge grants bond for all four suspects in daylight slaying of Hinesville man

Four suspects charged with the murder of Devin Copeland in Hinesville were granted bond. The victim's mother claims she was not allowed to speak in court.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 7:19 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from WTOC

Judicial Determinations in a Broad Daylight Homicide

A major development in the investigation of the killing of 26 year old Devin Copeland has emerged as all four primary suspects were granted financial bonds by the court. Copeland was fatally shot on December 3 near a busy traffic circle in downtown Hinesville, an incident that occurred at noon and left him dying in his vehicle. The legal decision to allow bond for those accused of such a violent crime has intensified the emotional stakes of the case. While the judicial system allows for bond based on specific flight risk and safety criteria, the move has been met with immediate criticism from observers who view the severity of the murder and armed robbery charges as grounds for continued detention.

Suspect Profiles Include Active Duty Military Personnel

The group of individuals facing charges includes 22 year old Laron Joseph McDonald, who was serving as an active duty soldier at Fort Stewart at the time of his arrest. Military records indicate McDonald had been stationed at the Georgia base for over a year with no prior combat deployments. Alongside McDonald, two teenagers from Jesup, 17 year old Daivion Bell and 18 year old Dalcarri Dashawn Roberson, were also granted bonds set at $400,000. Each of these three men remains charged with murder and armed robbery, reflecting the prosecution's theory that the shooting was part of a larger criminal enterprise.

Victim’s Mother Alleges Procedural Slighting in Court

Elizabeth Strodder, the mother of the deceased, has voiced formal complaints regarding her treatment during the bond hearings. Strodder claims that while the families of the suspects were permitted to testify and offer reasons for their relatives' release, she was explicitly told she could not address the court. This perceived imbalance in the courtroom has left the family feeling marginalized during a critical phase of the legal process. Strodder also expressed frustration over a lack of communication from the District Attorney’s office, noting she was never notified when the fourth suspect, Jared Elmore, secured his release on a lower $100,000 bond.