On March 3, 2026, the Honorable Ben J. Miller of the Upson County Superior Court accepted a blind plea of guilty by Joseph V. Roberts on the charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault and criminal damage to property in the second degree. Roberts argued for a sentence of 30 years to serve 10; however, Judge Miller accepted the State’s recommendation of 15 years to serve followed by 15 years on probation. The State was represented by Senior Assistant District Attorney Audrey D. Holliday with the assistance of Senior Assistant District Attorney, John McAbee, Investigator, Rick Reeves, Victim Advocate, Bailey Middlebrooks and Legal Assistant Earielle Mullins. Investigator Marcus Denson and the Thomaston Police Department investigated this case.
Had this case gone to trial, the State would have shown that on July 12, 2025, the Defendant entered the Southside BP in Thomaston, Georgia where he went to the drink cooler and took a Budlight Lime. He then stopped, waited for a customer to leave the counter, and withdrew a hatchet from his pants. He proceeded to go behind the clerk’s counter where he raised the hatchet at the clerk demanding that he be given the money. The clerk was able to jump over the counter and get away. The Defendant then smashed up the cash register and monitors, stealing $678.00 and the Budlight Lime before fleeing the store. The Defendant subsequently led officers on a chase into Taylor County and back into Upson County where he was apprehended.
“This case could have been so much worse. We are thankful for the witnesses that were able to provide great information on what the Defendant was wearing and driving and for keeping the police informed of his location. We are grateful there were no further injuries and that Judge Miller accepted the State’s recommendation due to the severity of this crime,” said ADA Holliday.
“This type of dangerous, lawless behavior will not be tolerated by the citizens of Upson County. My office, along with our Law Enforcement officers will relentlessly pursue justice for victims who are traumatized by violent crime,” said Acting District Attorney David J. Studdard.

​Assistant District Attorney Wendy Carlyle took on the role of the prosecutor today in the Upson County Adult and Youth Leadership Mock Trial program. The program members played the roles of jurors, witnesses, defendant, and assisted the prosecution and defense. Pictured with ADA Carlyle is attorney Billy Maddox, who represented the defendant. The Honorable Benjamin D. Coker presided over the trial. Thank you to the Upson County Adult and Youth Leadership Program for the opportunity to participate in this training.

​This week the Griffin Judicial Circuit Victim Witness Advocates attended the 2026 VWAP Conference held in Peachtree City, hosted by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia.
Acting District Attorney David Studdard offered the following observations on the Victim Witness Advocates role and this important training. "Training is vital to the operation of the District Attorney's Office. Our Victim/Witness assistance personnel provide a crucial service within our office. They are often the first contact a victim has with our office and the relationship of trust and confidence that our Victim Advocates build with victims carries through the prosecution process. We simply could not function without them. I'm very thankful for the training opportunities provided for our Victim Advocates. Thank you to PAC and their training division for hosting this yearly conference."
Pictured are Griffin Judicial Circuit Victim Witness Advocates along with Advocates from the Fayette County Solicitor's Office.

​On January 30, 2026, a Spalding County jury convicted Kaomarion Lashaun Kendrick of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault (2x), Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Handgun by Person Under 18 years of Age, and Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (3x). The Honorable Benjamin D. Coker of the Spalding County Superior Court sentenced the Defendant to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole followed by eighty-five years in prison. The State was represented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Lenhard and Assistant District Attorney Wendy Carlyle along with the assistance of their team, Investigator Misty Gresham, Victim Advocate Maricarmen Dobson and Legal Assistant Adie Rivera. The Griffin Police Department investigated this case.
The State presented evidence that on the afternoon of September 30, 2023, following the rivalry football game between Griffin High School and Spalding High School, the victim, Emmanuel Dorsey, was fatally shot by the Defendant. The Defendant fled the scene and spent eight days on the run before being apprehended by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office in Henry County, Georgia.
Acting District Attorney David Studdard said of the jury’s verdict – “I am incredibly proud of our office for bringing justice to this defendant and perhaps some degree of closure and comfort for Mr. Dorsey’s family. This case rocked our community and, today, a Spalding County jury, through their verdict, declared that we will not tolerate this type of lawlessness and violence. My personal message is that my office will relentlessly pursue those who commit violent crimes in our community and will bring them to justice.”

​Acting District Attorney David Studdard attended the District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia’s inaugural Prosecutor Day breakfast at the State Capitol on Thursday, January 29th. He met with fellow prosecutors and some of our legislators to discuss issues that will impact our circuit in this year's legislative session. Pictured are the District Attorney Association of Georgia members.

​Today, Acting District Attorney David Studdard had the pleasure of presenting Senior Victim Advocate Denise Miller with an award celebrating her 20 years of service to the State of Georgia and to the District Attorney's Office. Chief Judge Scott L. Ballard hired Denise in 2006 when he was District Attorney. Congratulations Denise!

​Congratulations to Senior Assistant District Attorney John McAbee and Assistant District Attorney Wendy Carlyle, who were sworn into the Georgia Supreme Court today by Justice Andrew Pinson.

​Senior Assistant District Attorney Kate Lenhard was appointed as Chief Assistant District Attorney by Acting District Attorney, David Studdard. The Honorable Fletcher Sams administered the oath of office to Kate. Congratulations Chief Lenhard!

The Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office officially welcomed our newest Investigator to the agency in a swearing-in ceremony today. Superior Court Judge Rhonda Kreuziger administered the oath to Investigator Tim Ledbetter.
Investigator Ledbetter is assigned to the Upson County District Attorney Office. Welcome to our team!