​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.