Indictments Issued In Harbin Murder

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A Franklin County Grand Jury has indicted the couple charged in the murder of Lavonia businessman Sam Harbin.

Last week, that Grand Jury handed down a true bill of indictment on eight felony counts against 45-year old Rayfondia Rashan Craft of Hartwell and 30-year old Kristen Odister of Bowersville.

Craft and Odister were each charged with Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Burglary in the First Degree, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery and Kidnapping.

Authorities say the couple beat the 82-year old Harbin to death sometime on August 8th after entering his home on Gilmer Street in Lavonia.

According to the indictment, Craft and Odister were armed when they allegedly went to Harbin’s house with the intention of robbing him.

The indictment alleges the couple broke into the home, then bound Harbin with duct tape and beat him in the head.

An autopsy by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Medical Examiner ruled Harbin died of blunt force trauma to the head.

According to the indictment, Craft and Odister then allegedly took a number of items from his house, including a television, stereo speakers, telescope, and a vacuum cleaner.

Harbin was found later that day by his secretary after he failed to make his usual morning call to her at the Pointe South Mobile Home Park in Lavonia, which he owned.

Craft and Odister were arrested several days later in Bowersville after an intensive, around-the-clock investigation by Lavonia Police, the GBI, and the Franklin and Hart County Sheriff’s offices.

The couple is being held without bond in the Franklin County Detention Center.

So far, no trial date has been set.