Big SWGA trials set to go to court in a few weeks
Horace "Chucky" Ross III taking the stand in October. (Source: WALB)
By Asia Wilson | December 30, 2019 at 6:21 PM EST - Updated December 30 at 6:21 PM
SOUTHWEST, Ga. (WALB) - A retrial is in the works for a Pelham man accused of killing two men and injuring another last December.
The high profile case is set to start in two weeks.
Horace “Chucky” Ross III will be on trial for the deaths of Denarrius Johnson and Steven Freeman.
They were shot off of Cannon Street.
Ross was on trial back in October, but a mistrial was granted due to a hung jury.
He originally faced two counts of malice murder, aggravated assault and possession of a gun during the commission of a crime.
Steve Freeman, was shot in killed in Pelham back in December 2018. (Source: WALB)
After over 15 hours of deliberations, Ross was found guilty of only the aggravated assault and possession of a firearm charges.
Prosecutors said they’ll pick a new jury and Ross will be tried for the murder charge again.
“The point is there was a hung jury, so at that point, the prosecutor then can decide whether or not they want to go forward with another retrial. And in this case, I anticipate that we will, in fact, retry the defendant in this January term,” said Joe Mulholland, South Georgia Judicial Circuit district attorney.
Prosecutors said jurors had the option to find Ross guilty, not guilty or give him involuntary manslaughter for the murder charges.
The retrial will take place on Jan. 13 at the Mitchell County Courthouse.
Armed robbery suspect to stand in trial in Baker Co. for big multi-county scheme
A Thomasville man will stand trial in Baker County for a multi-county armed robbery scheme.
Prosecutors said Kealeeon Miranda is facing charges for robberies in Thomasville and Valdosta and then expanded to Baker and Decatur counties.
Prosecutors said Darrel Perry was also involved. Perry is serving two life sentences. He pleaded guilty in July to two counts of armed robbery.
Prosecutors said the armed robbery spree was massive.
“I mean it was like multiple, like three, four or five armed robberies,” Mulholland said.
Mullholland said crimes were committed in North Florida and in other Georgia counties as well.
Miranda will be on trial starting the week of Jan. 27.