JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A Neptune Beach teen accused of murdering his grandmother has been extradited back to Jacksonville from New York Tuesday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Logan Tyler Mott, 15, was booked on a second degree murder charge, as well as a theft of a motor vehicle charge in the Duval County Jail. He wasn't eligible for bond. The Public Defenders Office confirms Charlie Cofer is representing Logan Mott.
Mott and his 53-year-old grandmother, Kristina French, were reported missing by Mott's father, Eric Mott on November 22 after Eric Mott came home from vacation to find his Seagate Avenue home ransacked.
Days later, the Neptune Beach Police and JSO found a shallow grave in the backyard. They discovered that there was a body buried in the grave and positively identified the body as French. Authorities also said the body had gunshot and stab wounds. According to reports, French had died as a result of a gunshot wound.
Mott was detained by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for trying to cross into Canada on the Peace Bridge near Buffalo, N.Y. He was found with three guns and a knife covered in what appeared to be blood, police said.
According to Mott's arrest warrant, the 15-year-old was spotted on camera in Pennsylvania at an ATM machine. Video showed the teen using the victim's debit card.
Affidavit states pain meds also missing from home along w/ guns & grandmother’s car. Autopsy reveals Kristina French killed by gunshot. #GMJ pic.twitter.com/8xhrXmvXRx
— Shelby Danielsen (@NewsShelby) December 6, 2017
JSO issued a murder arrest warrant for Mott in regards to French's murder.
Mott made his first court appearance in Duval County Wednesday morning. He appeared in an orange jumpsuit and was represented by Public Defender Charlie Cofer.
Cofer, a former Duval County judge, told First Coast News he plans to represent Logan Mott himself with the help of Alan Chipperfield, the chief for his homicide division. Cofer said part of the reason he chose to run for public defender was to get involved in more cases, and he decided on this one.
When asked how Logan Mott was doing, Cofer said: “appropriate for his circumstance.”
According to JSO, Mott is being held in an isolation cell for his own safety and will remain there until he is sentenced. He has the same privileges as other inmates but is housed by himself.
Cofer said Mott’s father, a corrections lieutenant, will likely be reassigned.
State Attorney Nelson released the following statement:
Almost two weeks after an initial missing persons case shifted to a murder investigation, Logan Mott is back in Duval County. Mott has been charged as an adult with second-degree murder and grand theft auto.
I’d like to thank the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County Youth Services, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Neptune Beach Police Department, Buffalo Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies along the East Coast that have assisted in bringing Mott back to Jacksonville.
We understand this is a case of great interest, but because it is pending we will not be providing further comment.”
Mott Exemption by Meilin Tompkins on Scribd
Mott, Logan 17CF066515AD_R_Redacted (1) by Meilin Tompkins on Scribd