Georgia Criminal Defense Blog

A Cobb County judge ordered the suspect in a shooting spree at a Kennesaw truck rental company to be held without bond. An official of the company, Penske Truck Rental and Leasing, said that four of the five shooting victims were employees, and one was a customer. He said the victims were apparently chosen at random.

Police say the suspect opened fire at the truck rental company on January 12, killing two men and critically wounding three others. The suspect faces two counts of murder and five counts of aggravated assault.

Workplace violence is not new in Georgia. The Atlanta area has dealt with workplace violence on a much larger scale. In 1999, day trader Mark Barton shot 22 people, killing nine, at two different metro locations, this while also murdering his wife and two children.

Continue reading "Bond Denied for Suspect in Cobb Shooting Spree" »

According to a wsbtv.com report, a 21-year-old man has been arrested for murder and aggravated assault in Atlanta. The man is considered the only suspect in a shooting that took place on the campus of Spelman College on September 3, 2009. Apparently, police believe the man fired six shots into a large group of people, and that one of the gun shots killed a 19-year-old female student from Missouri. Police think that the arrested man was mixed up in a fight on campus at the time of the fatal shooting. The report also mentioned that the slain woman was most likely not an intentional target and was probably hit by a stray bullet.

This shooting incident has sparked concern amongst college officials in regards to the security on campus and the safety of teachers, staff, and students. However, law enforcement officials say that the death of the 19-year-old appears to be an isolated incident. Police also stated that although the Spelman College campus does border neighborhoods known for having high crime rates, the campus does not have history of violent crime, nor do any of the other nearby college campuses have such a history.

The article stated that it is not known at this time whether or not the arrested suspect has obtained an attorney, although it is safe to assume that it is in his best interest to seek the legal advice and representation of a skilled Atlanta violent crime defense lawyer as soon as possible. The fact that police do not believe this particular man deliberately meant to shoot and kill the deceased woman is a factor that may hold great strength in his potential case.

Continue reading "Man Arrested in Spelman College Shooting" »

A 25-year-old mother was shot and killed nearly three months ago by a disguised attacker whom investigators believe they now know the identity of. The Snellville Police Department stated in a report that they are “very close” to making an arrest and are waiting for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to analyze evidence that could bolster the strength of their case regarding the violent crime.

A witness to the murder in Georgia said that the shooter was wearing a wig and mustache as a disguise, and shot the young mother after they briefly got into a loud argument. Based on surveillance footage from the Target shopping center where the woman was killed, the shooter may have been a woman. Evidence that was sent to the GBI related to a truck belonging to the victim’s mother-in-law. Police said the mother-in-law drives a pickup truck comparable to the one that was seen at the location of the homicide.

According to the United States Uniform Crime Report, there were 47,075 violent crimes reported in Georgia in 2007, with 717 of those crimes being labeled as murders. Violent offenders are treated with some of the harshest penalties that exist. Being arrested for any type of violent crime is a serious matter and can very often leave the accused feeling overwhelmed, frightened, and confused regarding his or her future, as well as which rights he or she is entitled to under the U.S. Constitution.

Continue reading "Investigation Hints at Arrests in Snellville Shooting of Mother" »

In what may be looked at by some as a desperation shot or even a “hail mary” attempt, the defense lawyers of a convicted hit-man called in a neuropsychologist and director of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to testify that the convicted man functions at the level of a 12 year old child. Additionally the ajc.com report stated that the neuropsychologist findings explained that the accused had a temper and was reckless, and even had difficulty understanding transportation. Criminal defense lawyers are hoping that the findings will sway the jury to sentence the man to life and not to death.

The alleged hit-man was found guilty of choking and stabbing a 22 year old woman, all this while being watched by her crying baby, for the amount of $10,000 dollars. Shockingly the person who wanted this young woman dead was apparently her father-in-law. The woman’s father-in-law is a native of India who apparently was willing to do whatever it took to end his son’s marriage to an African American.

The law calls that when a case involves the death penalty, a jury can take into hand the convicted murderer’s young life, their families, and life events. The jury can also weigh the brutality of the killing and the consequences it has caused to the friends and family of the victim.

Continue reading "Hitman’s Lawyer Argues Client Functions at the Level of a 12 Year Old" »

The nydailytimes.com website reported in a story on February 11th, that Manual Gaspar Latuna Sanchez, a cargo van driver, inadvertently struck and picked up a body that had already been hit, dragging it for 17 miles. According to police reports an SUV first hit a man trying to cross at 108th St. in Corona, Queens and ended nearly an hour later when someone finally was able to get the van driver’s attention.

Smelling something burning Sanchez did pull over to check the van but did not notice anything wrong. Raymond Kelly, police commissioner, said that the driver continued driving for nearly an hour until finally waved down in Brighton.

Kelly said, “People were signaling him to stop the vehicle. That’s when the body is discovered under his car.”

The dead man’s body was severely damaged and unable to be recognized. Crime scene investigators believe that the body got stuck in the van’s chassis, making it difficult for the driver to see when he checked if something was wrong.

Maria Diaz exclaimed, “Oh my God, how could a body be dragged that far? That’s terrible.”
Police were going to go back over the van’s route to see if any body parts or clothes could be found.

Joe Palmeri said, “I don’t believe it. How could you not feel a body under your car driving that far? Just the initial hit you had to feel, right.”

Although this case appears to be an accident, the driver may face homicide charges. Homicide is a situation in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in New York or Georgia you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive Georgia or New York homicide defense lawyer right away. There is a lot at stake, and depending upon your situation, you may be facing a life sentence, which is why you are in desperate need of accomplished and skilled legal representation. Please call Conaway & Strickler, PC at 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

A nydailenws.com report from February, 11th stated that Rosario Prestigiacomo, 64 was killed with a knife while inside his apartment in Ridgewood on Green Ave. According to police reports, Prestigiacomo was the landlord there and family relatives said that he owned the apartment. Police were investigating and did not know if Prestigiacomo knew his killer.

Rosa Adele was distraught in her Florida home and said, “It is a real big shock.”

Aggravated assault is a crime in which a person illegally attempts to and is able to commit violence against another individual. Listed below are some examples of crimes which may constitute assault in New York:

• Assault with a deadly weapon


• Assault with intent to cause serious physical pain


• Physically attacking an individual


• Threatening to cause physical harm


• Causing fear in others by threats or endangerment


• Intention to commit battery

Amongst the severest violent crime is homicide; this is a situation in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in New York or Georgia you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive Georgia or New York violent crime lawyer from Conaway & Strickler, PC right away. There is a lot at stake, and depending upon your situation, you may be facing a life sentence, which is why you are in desperate need of accomplished and skilled legal representation. Do not attempt to represent yourself, there is just too much at risk. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

The website ajc.com reported in an account on March 13, 2009 that Rhonda Sosebee Young, 43 was apprehended in Gordon County and charged with the murder of her husband. Young’s husband Stephen Young, was found lifeless in his own home. According to Howard Ensley, Sheriff, detectives say Rhonda Young had traveled extensively across the country including Missouri, Utah, and Tennessee, just within the last couple of weeks.

Upon finding out that the cops were hot on her trail, Rhonda Young jumped in her vehicle and tried to escape, but local, state, and federal officers were faster and got their in time to block her car resulting in her arrest for the homicide in Georgia. Ensley stated that Rhonda Young received treatment for a gunshot injury received prior to her arrest. Bond was denied and she is being held at Murray County Jail.

Homicide is a situation in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in Georgia you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive and experienced Georgia criminal defense lawyer from Conaway & Strickler, P.C. right away. There is a lot at stake, and depending upon your situation, you may be facing a life sentence.

At Conaway & Strickler, P.C. their skilled Georgia violent crime defense attorneys aggressively defend the rights of clients throughout Georgia, and are nationally recognized for their successful case outcomes. For more than a decade, their lawyers have successfully defended clients charged with various violent crime felony and misdemeanor charges. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

The gainesvilletimes.com website reported in an account on March 13, 2008 that Cornelio Zamites will plead guilty to the rape and homicide in Georgia of a 4 year old girl. Zamites agreed in order to avoid the death penalty and the district attorney agreed on this plea in order to secure a conviction.

Through an interpreter Esmeralda’s father Jesus Lopez Rios told Judge Kathlene Gosselin, “I live blaming myself sometimes because my daughter needed me as a father and I could not help her.”

The girl’s killer, Cornelio Rivera Zamites, 28, pleaded guilty Thursday to murder, rape, kidnapping with bodily injury and other offenses and was sentenced by Gosselin to life without the possibility of parole, plus three consecutive life sentences, plus 20 years.

Zamites agreed in writing that he would never appeal his Georgia sex crime and murder sentence. He declined to address the court.

Continue reading "Hall County Murder and Rape of 4 Year Old, Defendant Pleads Guilty " »

The nydailynews.com website reported in a story that there is a correction from their original story on March 13, 2009 that Officer Rafael Lora faces first degree manslaughter charges in New York for the deadly shooting of Fermin Arzu, 41, in May 2007.

According to reports Arzu was driving while intoxicated and hit parked cars outside Lora’s Longwood home. Awoken by a loud bang, the off duty Manhattan traffic officer went outside with his glock 26 to investigate. He claims to have identified himself as an officer as he approached the vehicle.

Lora said, ‘I saw a dark colored minivan with steam coming out of it."

Lora’s account states that when he opened the passenger door Arzu attacked him in the face with something he had gotten from the glove box. Then Arzu attempted to close the door and drive away.

Lora testified, "He squeezed me to the frame of the door. He put the car quickly into gear and drove away. I fired my weapon and was released from the vehicle."

Continue reading "Bronx First Degree Manslaughter Charge against Officer" »