In session: Judge denies self-defense claim for man who shot Raphael Warnock canvasser
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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@Gannett.com.
Jury reaches verdict in Xavier Peeples case
On April 15, a Chatham County jury reached a verdict in the State of Georgia vs. Xavier Peeples, finding him guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Peeples was a Savannah High Student who allegedly shot and killed Alphonso Dickerson on Sept. 24, 2021.
Last week, the trial reached a standstill when one of the jurors said that he couldn’t make a decision for moral reasons. He held that opinion since jury selection, but did not make the court aware, though it’s unclear why, said Chatham County Superior Court Judge Benjamin Karpf.
As a result, Chatham Public Defender Bob Attridge requested a mistrial. Chatham Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Lyle Burnham, however, requested the juror be removed, and another put in his place. Karpf sided with Burnham and replaced juror number six with juror number 13.
“Nothing we have heard suggests that the issue is that this juror has a different opinion than what the rest of the jurors have,” said Karpf. “Everything that we have heard suggests that this juror is not willing to consider the evidence at all, and is therefore not discharging his duty and function as a juror.”
Sentencing is scheduled for May 14.
More: Chatham County jury acquits man of murder charges; judge considers motion to suppress
More: Police: Savannah teen shot through closed door while campaigning for Sen. Raphael Warnock
Judge denies self-defense claim for man who allegedly shot Raphael Warnock canvasser
Chatham County Superior Court Judge Penny Freesemann denied a self-defense claim by attorneys for Jimmy Paiz, who is charged with shooting and injuring a Black teenager who approached his door in December 2022 while canvassing for Sen. Raphael Warnock, according to news reports.
On Dec. 1, 2022, Paiz, who was 42 years old at the time, shot Javontae Vann, 15,outside of his Hartridge Street home while Vann was campaigning for Warnock in the runup to the 2022 run-off election. The suspect fired a shot through the closed door, striking the teen. Around 5:35 p.m. officers responded to find Vann, 15 at the time, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. He was transported to Memorial Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Officers quickly identified and located Paiz at the residence. Paiz was booked into the Chatham County jail on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery. On May 31, 2023, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Paiz for the same charges.
In a phone call, the defense attorney for Vann, David Utter of the Claiborne Law Firm, denied comment.
No hearings are scheduled yet in the case.
Two men face murder charges for 2023 shooting on MLK Jr. Boulevard
On April 17, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Izell Jackson and Laronta Morrell for malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit a felony, and three counts of a possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Prosecutors charge that on Nov. 27, 2023, Jackson and Morrell shot and killed Fundicia McQuaige at West 40th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, according to news reports.
No hearings are scheduled yet in the case.
Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: chatham county ga court updates for week of April 20 2024
