Macon triple murder case bond hearing abruptly canceled

Victims' families left frustrated as judge removes suspect from schedule before proceedings could begin

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:49pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the gritty details of a violent crime investigation.The sudden halt to the bond hearing leaves victims' families seeking answers and justice in a triple murder case that shook the Macon community.Macon Today

A bond hearing for Julius Milner, the 20-year-old accused of killing three people in a February shooting in Macon, Georgia, was abruptly canceled on Thursday morning. Milner faces three counts of murder and five counts of aggravated assault, but the judge removed him from the bond schedule before the hearing could start, leaving the victims' families frustrated and without answers.

Why it matters

The sudden cancellation of the bond hearing has added to the grief and frustration felt by the families of the victims, who were hoping to get some closure and see the judicial process move forward. The triple homicide was part of a violent weekend in Macon that left four people dead and nine others injured across eight separate shootings, highlighting the ongoing challenges the city faces with gun violence.

The details

Julius Milner was scheduled for a bond hearing at the Bibb County jail on Thursday morning, but the judge removed him from the bond schedule before the proceeding started. The court did not immediately explain the decision, although the defense apparently withdrew its motion at the last minute. Milner faces three counts of murder and five counts of aggravated assault in connection with the Feb. 22 shooting deaths of Charleston Burnett, 25, Jordan Gardner Sr., 25, and Willie Cain, 26.

  • Milner was arrested on Feb. 23, one day after the shooting.
  • Milner's attorney filed a motion on March 31 requesting that the court set bond.
  • The bond hearing was scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Julius Milner

A 20-year-old man accused of killing three people in a February shooting in Macon, Georgia.

Charleston Burnett

One of the three victims killed in the February shooting.

Jordan Gardner Sr.

One of the three victims killed in the February shooting.

Willie Cain

One of the three victims killed in the February shooting.

Tamika Fluker

The public defender representing Julius Milner.

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What they’re saying

“No one said anything. No one came in. We weren't greeted. Nobody said, not even a 'Hi, how are you doing?' or 'my condolences.' No one said anything.”

— Passion Bryant, Aunt of victim Jordan Gardner Sr.

“It's sad, it's honestly sad, and Bibb County must definitely do better. There are families out here that are really, really hurting. And these guys deserve justice for their lives.”

— Passion Bryant, Aunt of victim Jordan Gardner Sr.

“He took someone who was just so loving and caring and such a hard worker and will go above and beyond for anyone. If you were having a bad day, Jordan would put the biggest smile on your face and just brighten your day for you.”

— Passion Bryant, Aunt of victim Jordan Gardner Sr.

What’s next

The court has not yet provided an explanation for the sudden cancellation of the bond hearing. It is unclear when the case will proceed to the next stage.

The takeaway

The abrupt cancellation of the bond hearing has added to the grief and frustration felt by the victims' families, who are seeking justice and closure. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges the city of Macon faces in addressing gun violence and ensuring a fair and transparent judicial process.