Atmore murder victim’s family responds to suspect arrested while under house arrest

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – It has been over a year since Jatyrian Tolbert was shot and killed on Brooks Lane in Atmore.

Investigators say Tolbert was in his car when he was shot multiple times. Tamarra Tolbert, Jatyrian’s mother, said her son leaves behind two young daughters. His two daughters just celebrated their birthdays.

“It’s not fair that I can only see my son through a picture. It’s not fair that my son isn’t there when I walk in the room,” Tolbert said. “They are a day apart, so we celebrated one yesterday and one today. They were successive emotions. With everything going on, it was an emotional day.”

Antonio Pettaway of Mobile was charged with murder in connection with Jatyrian’s death and was indicted last November.

Court records show Pettaway’s bail was originally set at $500,000, but over time a judge repeatedly lowered the bond. Court documents show Pettaway was released in May on a $75,000 payment and placed under house arrest.

Just this week, MPD said Pettaway allegedly opened fire on Holcombe Avenue in Mobile last Friday. No one was hit, but an empty vehicle was struck. Jatyrian’s mother says she wants to see justice for her son.

“We would like to take him away. We would like to see him charged with murder,” Tolbert said. “This is a person who was with another firearm and was trying to kill someone else. So how many chances will they give him before he kills someone else’s son or daughter?”

According to Escambia County, Alabama District Attorney Stephen Billy, a status hearing for Pettaway was held on October 17. Billy says Pettaway’s lawyer just responded that the case isn’t ready for trial yet.

“Several motions to reduce bail were filed and each was granted despite the state’s objection,” Billy said. “Pettaway was out on bail in another firearm-related case in Mobile when he committed this offense and his sentence was reduced anyway. He was supposed to be under house arrest in Mobile, which we objected to because there was no way to monitor him.

Pettaway has a bond hearing scheduled for Monday.

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