New Birth Break-In Anthony Boyd Appears in Court

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Prosecutors call it a routine burglary, but nothing is routine when the victim is Bishop Eddie Long and the defendant shows up to court in a Cadillac, accompanied by a limo driver. Anthony Boyd told FOX senior I-Team reporter Dale Russell he is not guilty, while the district attorney says he has the evidence to prosecute the case.

A former New Birth Missionary Church security guard, Boyd arrived at the DeKalb County Courthouse in a Cadillac Escalade on Tuesday, accompanied by his limo service driver. When asked about his arrival to court in a limousine, he said, “First time for everything.”

Nothing seems out of the ordinary when it comes to Bishop Eddie Long. In this case, it’s the ongoing prosecution of a young man accused of breaking into Bishop Long's church office.

Boyd told Russell he is innocent of the charges against him. When asked if he did it, he said, “No, I did not.”

The break-in took place a year ago, before the filing of the sexual misconduct lawsuits against Bishop Eddie Long. Those suits have now been settled for an undisclosed amount of money.

The I-Team has already reported that sources say the reason for the break-in was to gather evidence against Bishop Long for the upcoming law suits. The bishop's iPhone and iPad along with jewelry were stolen. Boyd told the I-Team he agrees that the motive for the break-in was to gain evidence against Long.

Two young men wearing masks were caught on a church security camera. Soon after, police arrested Maurice Robinson and Anthony Boyd on burglary charges. Robinson has entered a pre-trial diversion program in exchange for having charges dismissed.

Boyd appeared in court on Tuesday, looking relaxed and surrounded by his parents and family. His attorney, David Fife entered a plea of not guilty. Outside the courtroom, Fife says his client-- who was not involved in the sexual misconduct lawsuits-- also was not involved in the burglary.

District Attorney Robert James, who inherited this case from the previous district attorney, says it is a routine burglary, even if the defendant arrives at court in a Cadillac and the victim is Bishop Eddie Long.

Before Robert James became district attorney, a top prosecutor in the office said Bishop Eddie Long did not want to prosecute Maurice Robinson-- who would go on to sue him for sexual misconduct. The I-Team tried to ask Bishop Long how he feels about the prosecution of Anthony Boyd, but the bishop had no comment.