In Session: Woman found guilty in Shawntray Grant murder appeals to Georgia Supreme Court
This column is part of a weekly round-up of notable grand jury indictments and court decisions, following through on cases reported by Savannah Morning News public safety reporter Drew Favakeh. If there are cases you're curious about, email Drew at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.
Public defender files motions on behalf of father accused of murder his 4-year-old son in 2020
From Jan. 30 through Jan. 31, Chatham County public defender Bob Attridge filed three separate motions on behalf of Michael Angelo Mitchell, charged with murdering his 4-year-old son on April 23, 2020, at the Motel 6 on 201 Stephenson Ave.
One motion involved a petition for Superior Court Judge Benjamin Karpf to review records from the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to determine whether their disclosure is required for Mitchell to receive a fair trial. Attridge also filed a motion to sever two counts against Mitchell: possession of an illegal weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The weapon, according to the motion, was a sawed off shotgun. Attridge claims that those counts have no relevance to prove the other charges, and thus, are “improperly joined.”
The third motion attempts to limit evidence found in the motel room, including a 9 MM CPX-1 Firearm and Magazine, 10 9MM Luger Rounds, five Winchester 12-Gauge Rounds, a baggie of unknown green leafy material, and approximately $2.000.
Jury trial is scheduled for April 15.
Suspicious Death: Savannah police investigate death of 4-year-old at hotel
Defense attorney files motion to suppress statements to police investigators
On Jan. 31, defense attorney Bob Attridge filed a motion to suppress statements Marcus Speaks Jr. made to Savannah Police detectives in connection to the murder of Leopoldo Corona on Nov. 21, 2019.
Attridge argued in the motion that “the statements obtained by officers at the Savannah Police Department on November 28, 2019, was result of an unlawful detention of the Defendant and should be suppressed.”
Attridge alleges that Speaks' statements "were involuntary and induced by the slightest hope of benefit and/or remote fear of injury."
Attridge requested a pre-trial to determine whether the statements were made voluntarily.
Jury trial is scheduled for March 4.
Nelaunte Grant's attorney files appeal for guilty verdict in murder of Shawntray Grant
The defense attorney for Nelaunte Grant, who was found guilty for the 2018 felony murder and armed robbery of Shawntray Grant, filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia in January. Shawntray "Puff" Grant, no relation to the accused, was the 32-year-old leader of the Bullhorn Crew. He was ambushed, robbed and fatally shot upon returning to his home on Randolph Street at The View on Oglethorpe after winning $12,000 on a Brunswick gambling ship.
Verdict: Dunham sentenced to 2 life sentences plus 315 years in Shawntray Grant slaying
On Jan. 15, 2020, a Chatham County jury found Nelaunte guilty of felony murder and armed robbery for setting up the ambush with Osha Dunham, who was sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms without the possibility of parole plus 315 consecutive years incarceration for a 2018 crime spree that took the life of Shawntray Grant and Robert Lee Jr. Prosecutors used cell phone information to form a link between Nelaunte to the ambush of Shawntray .
She was sentenced to life in prison and subsequently filed a motion for a new trial. A written order denying her request was entered on Jan. 23, 2024, according to the motion, which was filed by Grant's defense attorney, Amanda Walker with the Chatham County Public Defender's Office.
A motion hearing is scheduled for March 26.
Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Chatham County GA grand jury indictments, court updates Feb 1 2023
