A Georgia man imprisoned for a 2013 drive-by shooting faces ongoing delay as the jury failed to reach a verdict after a lengthy murder trial. His attorney filed for a speedy trial dismissal.
Currently, Georgia man Jimmerson is facing a series of charges including felony murder, aggravated assault, possessing a gun during a felony, and involvement in street gang activity. (Photo: Way Out)
Georgia Man’s Murder Trial Faces Ongoing Delay as Jury Fails to Reach Verdict
Georgia man Maurice Jimmerson has been awaiting trial for over 10 years in connection with a shooting incident that claimed two lives and left several others injured.
According to the Associated Press, following a two-week trial in Dougherty County the jury assigned to Georgia man Maurice Jimmerson’s case was unable to reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a hung jury.
Georgia man Jimmerson was sent back to jail in Albany where the drive-by shooting occurred.
Currently, Georgia man Jimmerson is facing a series of charges including felony murder, aggravated assault, possessing a gun during a felony, and involvement in street gang activity.
His lawyer, Andrew Fleischman of Atlanta, revealed that Georgia man Jimmerson is being held on a steep bail amount of $400,000.
Additionally, Jimmerson is also being held without bail on a separate charge relating to an incident within the Dougherty County jail.
Georgia Man’s Attorney Fights For Speedy Trial Dismissal
According to the U.S. News, in an attempt to secure his release from jail, Georgia man Jimmerson’s attorney has requested a lower bail amount to allow his client a chance at freedom while awaiting a retrial.
Superior Court Judge Victoria Darrisaw has scheduled a hearing for August 8th to deliberate on this matter.
Georgia man Jimmerson’s attorney has made a motion to dismiss the charges entirely. He is citing U.S. Supreme Court rulings that suggest cases can be thrown out if the state takes too long to bring them to trial.
Georgia man Jimmerson’s attorney points to a 1990 Supreme Court decision where an eight-and-a-half-year delay for a defendant not in jail was deemed excessive, violating the constitutional right to a speedy trial.
He argues that justice demands that individuals should be convicted of a crime before facing punishment and emphasizes that this case centers on core constitutional rights – the right to a speedy trial and due process.
One of the main arguments put forth by Georgia man Jimmerson’s attorney is the lack of sufficient evidence for a conviction. Fleischman points out that a jailhouse witness, who emerged three years after the shooting, has since confessed to lying about Jimmerson’s involvement in the crime.
This revelation has raised doubts about the validity of the prosecution’s case.
In response to questions about the significant delay, Dougherty County District Attorney Gregory Edwards cited various factors, including the impact of the pandemic and a courthouse flood. However, he assured the public that every effort was being made to expedite the trial of the Georgia man.
