Trevor Nuckles of Canton is accused of shooting his 19-year-old girlfriend Dejanirra “D.J.” Elrod to death in the doorway of her relative’s home July 15.
The 11-page indictment handed down Oct. 10 charges Nuckles with malice and felony murder.
Nuckles, whose criminal history includes nine arrests in Cobb County since 2008, was also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a first-offender probationer. Nuckles was placed on felony probation April 14, 2011.
The indictment identified Nuckles’ Smith and Wesson 9 mm semiautomatic handgun as the murder weapon, although it states he had another Cobra handgun on his person at the time.
Other charges include five counts of cruelty to children in the third degree for committing the murder in front of minors present at the home, with one of those charges connected with a battery charge under the Family Violence Act.
The grand jury also charged Nuckles with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Additionally, Nuckles is charged with battery, as Elrod sustained injuries to her face “by choking and slapping … with the hands of (Nuckles),” the indictment states.
The case also includes sealed files determining Nuckles’ competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility, as determined by Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Frank Mills on Oct. 24.
At the time of the shooting, Lt. Jay Baker with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said Elrod died after being taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital.
A total of six shots were fired at the victim, but an autopsy report completed showed she was shot three times, according to Maj. Ron Hunton, head of criminal investigations for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Baker said no one saw the shooting, but the relative who owned the home told investigators Nuckles had recently left the home.
“When the homeowner tried to call 911, Nuckles grabbed her phone and threw it to the ground before leaving the scene on foot,” Baker said.
A Canton police officer arrested Nuckles less than 2 miles away as he was walking near the River Ridge apartment complex where he lived with Elrod, Baker said at the time of the arrest.
“With the assistance of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team, investigators searched the woods between the crime scene and where Nuckles was apprehended,” Baker said. “A 9 mm handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was located approximately 50 yards from the crime scene in the woods off Pine Grove Road.”
Nuckles’ criminal history includes a Cobb arrest last Christmas Day after he allegedly punched a relative twice in the right side of the man’s face during an argument with Nuckles’ mother, according to an arrest warrant obtained by the Tribune.
He was also arrested in June 2010 on a felony drug charge and misdemeanor charges of obstruction and giving a false name, according to an arrest warrant.
In November 2010, Nuckles was also charged with felony aggravated battery. According to an arrest warrant, Nuckles allegedly kicked a man twice in the head and then stood on the victim’s head, leaving him unconscious and bleeding.
The incident reportedly began when the victim yelled at Nuckles, who was allegedly kicking a car.
In April 2011, Nuckles pleaded guilty to battery and was sentenced to time served in prison and three years probation, according to information from the Cobb County Superior Court clerk’s office.
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