I spent 23 years behind bars for something I didnt do, said Devonia. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. This homicide further horrified a community that was already shaken and grieving from the continuous bloodshed. Donna had been working late and walked out of the shop alone after closing up. The True Crime Story Adel episode will be repeated at 3 a.m. and 12 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 1 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, and 12 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, SundanceTV schedules show. WebIn the early morning hours of September 19th, 1998 the manager of a Taco Bell in Adel, GA was robbed and murdered in the restaurant parking lot. He was freed after wrongly being imprisoned for 23 years. The killer stole $1,700 and the victims car. The testimony of three would-be witnesses Inmans lawyer wanted to call was also denied by the trial court, according to appeals court documents. WebFebruary 24, 2022. The victim, a single mother named Donna Brown, In September 2019, the Georgia Supreme Court denied the AGs attempt to appeal. In the early morning hours of September 19th, 1998 the manager of a Taco Bell in Adel, GA was robbed and murdered in the restaurant parking lot. The other inmate was an employee at the Taco Bell; however, the trial court would not allow the jury to hear that and would not allow Inman to argue that the other man was the guilty party, the order showed. The other inmate was sentenced to life in prison for an unrelated double murder in Adel on Nov. 10, 2000, and remains in Ware State Prison, state prison records show. Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. An official website of the State of Georgia. At the noticed date and time, (he) failed and refused to appear, according to Grahams order. WebDonna Brown, a night manager at a Taco Bell in Adel, Georgia, was murdered in 1998 in the restaurants parking lot. GEORGIA INNOCENCE PROJECT (GIP) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit in the state of Georgia. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, See how your Pennsylvania county ranks on voter friendliness with this interactive scorecard, Hillsborough school board member "on the fence" as vote on boundaries looms, Girls basketball playoffs: Wildcats, Warriors move to region finals. Copyright 2021 WALB. A habeas corpus petition was filed on behalf of Inman in 2018; claiming he was innocent and his constitutional right of wrongful imprisonment were violated. A decade later, DNA evidence taken from a makeshift ski mask found in Donna Browns car matched the other inmate, the judges order said. Upon officers arrival, they found Tenesha Mordon deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. WebADEL, Ga. (WALB) - Three people have been indicted in the 2019 death of Emmanuel Whitehead, 18, in Adel, according to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. There was only one persons DNA on the mask: Hercules Browns.. WebWe found 14 TV stations broadcasting 57 digital TV channels in the Adel, Georgia, area, including local CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, and CW affiliates. (His) willingness to face contempt and disciplinary action father than provide testimony or even invoke his Fifth Amendment rights further justifies this Court drawing an adverse inference here, Graham said in the order. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Later, a juvenile was also identified as a third gunshot victim. The juvenile was treated for a minor injury and released. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The closest similar sized city with FBI crime data is the city of , . ADEL, Ga. (WCTV) A man is facing multiple charges after his wife's body was discovered in Cook County, the same day she was reported missing by a family member. Last month, Inmans petition was granted, which forced the state of Georgia to give Inman a new trial. Background based on a previous GBI release: On Sunday, April 14, 2019, just before 1 a.m., the Adel Police Department (APD) responded to a shots fired call at The Stage in the 100 block of West First Street. Exoneree support services will be offered by the independent nonprofits. Unlike Donnas case, Shaileshs murderer was never found, and the case is still marked as unsolved. 33 Local News Could the new guy in town be the one who who did it? In this episode, Hilarie spends time chatting with Devonias family, including his family and his son. Without one, exonerees like Devonia Inman are left on their own, with virtually no support from the State, to rebuild their lives. Im glad I get to finally go home, and Im grateful to everyone who helped make that possible.. Inman, who has always professed his innocence, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 1998 murder of Donna Brown, a Taco Bell night manager in Adel. A Superior Court Judge issued special presentment bench warrants for all three subjects for the following charges: Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and multiple Felony Street Gang charges. Devonia Inman exited the Augusta 13-00576 [2] GNIS feature ID. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. A Georgia man's murder conviction and life sentence should be reexamined, say two Georgia Supreme Court justices and the murder victim's sister. By Editor | February 28, 2023 | 0. Finally, on December 20th, 2021, twenty-three years after he was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, almost eight years after a court first heard DNA evidence of his innocence, and two years after Georgia Supreme Court justices urged Georgia's Attorney General to "Let Justice Be Done," Devonia Inman was freed from prison and exonerated. Too often the heartbreaking events in these towns are largely overlooked because they lack the national media platforms and advocacy resources found in larger cities. The GBI was requested by APD to assist with the investigation on April 14, 2019. And another. But then another murder happens. When a brutal murder rocks a small Southern town, residents and police are shocked. Additionally, then-Presiding Justice Nahmias and then-Chief Justice Melton issued, reminding prosecutors of their power to ensure justice is served and urging the Attorney General himself to personally review Inmans case and determine whether justice was actually served by continuing to oppose Inmans efforts for a new trial. Despite having an alibi and no physical or reliable evidence tying him to the crime, Devonia was convicted for armed robbery and malice murder. New true-crime TV series launches with Adel murder. No physical evidence linked Devonia to When a beloved chiropractor in Sauquoit, N.Y., dies suddenly under strange circumstances, investigators discover she's been murdered with a rare poison. You can learn more here on our blog. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. In June of this year, Katrina Cook Graham, chief judge of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, issued an order drawing adverse inference named another state inmate as the killer. Cody Robinson, 29, was transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds, where he later died. What should WTXL be covering in this community. While Devonia was in jail awaiting trial, police arrested Brown on an attempted robbery and he had a homemade ski mask in his possession that was very similar to the distinctive homemade ski mask from the Taco Bell Murder. As Hilarie talks to his family, its devasting to hear how they thought the DNA would mean Devonia would go free from prison. Hercules Brown worked at the very same Taco Bell as Donna Brown at the same time and would often work closing shifts. New episodes of True Crime Story: It Couldnt Happen Here air Thursdays at 10/9c on SundanceTV. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Office in Douglas, GA at (912) 389-4103, or Adel Police Department at (229) 896-2225. When officers arrived, they found Penny deceased. To set the scene, Adel is a little town with a population under 5,000. WebAdel is the type of place where everyone knows everyone, and maintaining a tight-knit community is important to the locals. Similarly, a jailhouse snitch contacted law enforcement to say Devonia had confessed in prison, but again, his testimony was not the most sound, and he, too, later recanted. The case went back to the local district court to either re-prosecute Inamn, offer a plea deal or dismiss the charges. WebAt approximately 4:00 p.m., the Adel Police Department responded to 1113 Birch Street, Adel, Cook County, GA, in reference to a 911 call of a body found in a wooded area. A Superior Court Judge issued special presentment bench warrants for all three subjects for the following charges: Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and multiple Felony Street Gang charges. Proudly powered by, The key witnesses who implicated Devonia recanted (save one incentivized and directly contradicted witness);, Hercules Brown confessed to people that Brown committed the Taco Bell murder; or, Hercules Browns DNA, and only his DNA, was found on the homemade ski mask recovered from the Taco Bell managers car., In September 2019, the Georgia Supreme Court denied the AGs attempt to appeal. Episode Four "Cookeville, Tenn." Premieres Sept. 30 at 10 p.m. (The US average is 22.7) Adel property crime is 69.0. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. ADEL, Ga. (WALB) - Three people have been indicted in the 2019 death of Emmanuel Whitehead, 18, in Adel, according to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). "I spent 23 years behind bars for something I didnt do, Inman said in a statement provided by the Georgia Innocence Project. Alapaha Judicial Circuit Chase Studstill filed a motion to dismiss the underlying charges, which Chief Judge Clayton Tomlinson granted Monday morning. Then a newspaper carrier came forward to finger Devonia as the murderer, but her testimony changed. WebThe 2017 crime rate in Adel, GA is 524 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 1.9 times higher than the U.S. average. Years go by until the police catch the killer, but some in town question if the suspect is even capable of committing this crime. In January 2014, DNA evidence was revealed to have linked a Hercules Brown to the incident. Georgia Supreme Court Adopts Rule to Hold Prosecutors Accountable for Misconduct The primary duty of the prosecutor is to seek Devonia Inman Exonerated After 23 Years of Wrongful Imprisonment Twenty three years after he was imprisoned for a crime he Court Grants Devonia Inmans Habeas Corpus Petition! WTXL ABC 27 Tallahassee, FL. City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Well revisit this point further down. Copyright 2021 WALB. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Youd think this breakthrough, along with the unreliable witnesses and recanted testimony, would be enough to earn Devonia a new trial. All three subjects were already in custody on previous charges, the press release states. Case solved. Yes, the cops say, he is. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Adel, GA (February 24, 2022) On February 23, 2022, Bryant Kenney, 50, of Adel, was arrested in connection to the death of Donald Penny, age 81. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Adel Police Department (229) 896-2224 or the GBI Region 4 office (912) 389-4103. Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. Partly cloudy. ADEL, Ga. (WALB) - Three people have been indicted in the 2019 death of Emmanuel Whitehead, 18, in Adel, according to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). In the series premiere, host Hilarie Burton Morgan visits Adel, Georgia, to investigate a devasting crime spree that occurred more than 20 years ago, resulting in the death of four people and the possible imprisonment of an innocent man. When police arrived, there was a large crowd fleeing the area. Nonetheless, he has sat in jail for more than two decades now. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Episode One "Adel, Georgia" Premieres September 9 at 10 p.m. GAPS - Georgia Applicant Processing Service, Georgia Criminal History Record Restrictions, Obtaining Criminal History Record Information, Facebook page for Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Twitter page for Georgia Bureau of Investigation, GBI Investigates Two Deaths in Adel, GA - UPDATE. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. The residents never had a chance to recover from the impact of that carnage. Georgias Attorney General sought to dismiss the habeas and keep Devonia in prison. But in their rush to make an arrest, do they get the wrong man? Preliminary findings of the autopsy is that Pennys death is ruled as a homicide. The investigation is active and ongoing. Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Will wealth and status protect a killer, or will a determined police officer crack the case? WebMurders in Adel were rare and the neighborhood where Patel was killed was particularly peaceful. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Welcome back to Murderville, Georgia. www .cityofadel .us. from The Intercept, and Sundance TV featured the case in the premiere episode of their true-crime series, Georgia Supreme Court Adopts Rule to Hold Prosecutors Accountable for Misconduct. Mordons body was transported to the GBI Medical Examiners Office for autopsy. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. The court finds that prosecutors withheld critical evidence in the case of Devonia Inman that was featured in AJCs Breakdown podcast. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. Adel is the type of place where everyone knows everyone, and maintaining a tight-knit community is important to the locals. When four brutal murders happened in 1998 and 2000, it rocked the entire town. Let Justice be done, Justice Nahmias said. Why is it so hard to right a wrong in Georgia? WebAUGUSTA, GA. (WTXL) A man who spent 23 years in prison for a murder at fast-food restaurant in Adel, Georgia was released from prison. Of the four critical States witnesses against Devonia, three have recanted their testimony saying they were pressured or coerced by police. The GBI said that a Cook County grand jury indicted Dashay Antwan March, 28, Ra-Shay Marquez March, 23, and Taurian Javon Wetrz, 23, for the murder of Whitehead and aggravated assault on Deshone Pierce. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 5,571. Units were then dispatched to a nearby convenience store where Whitehead was found, also suffering from a gunshot wound. More than eight years after DNA evidence revealed the state of Georgia sent the wrong man to prison for murder, Devonia Inman may finally have a chance to prove his innocence in court. Devonia walked out of Augusta State Medical Prison and into the arms of family just in time to celebrate his first Christmas as a free man in more than two decades. But heres where things get even crazier. WebOn April 8, 2000, at approximately 1:20 p.m., Shailesh Patel was found murdered at his brother-in-law's residence located on North Gordon Avenue, Adel, Cook County, Devonia Inman exited the Augusta State Medical Prison on Monday. The killer could only be someone she knew closely, and the case divides the town. WebFor Adel, we found that the violent crime rate is one of the highest in the nation, across communities of all sizes (both large and small). In rural Shelbyville, Ky., a body is found in the river. GA attorney general defends murder conviction despite justices concerns, Let Justice Be Done: Georgia Justice Call on AG to Consider Ending Fight Over New Murder Trial, Listen to Murder Below the Gnat Line: GIP Case Featured in Season 4 of AJCs Breakdown. At approximately 4:00 p.m., the Adel Police Department responded to 1113 Birch Street, Adel, Cook County, GA, in reference to a 911 call of a body found in a wooded area. High 83F. However, in 2014, Cook County Superior Court Judge Buster McConnell ruled that the new DNA evidence implicating Hercules Brown was not enough to entitle Devonia to a new trial. Armed Robbery (The US average is 22.7) Adel (zip 31620) property crime is 50.7. First, a quick recap. Episode Five "Shelbyville, Ky." Premieres Oct. 7 at 10 p.m. The investigation is active and ongoing. Hilarie Burton in It Couldnt Happen Here Season 1 Photo Credit: SundanceTV. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. By WALB News Team. The only evidence against Devonia came from witness testimony. An adverse inference is a legal inference adverse to the concerned party made from that partys silence or the absence of requested evidence, according to uslegal.com. When four brutal murders happened in 1998 and WebADEL, Ga. (WALB) - Three people have been indicted in the 2019 death of Emmanuel Whitehead, 18, in Adel, according to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onHorror Movies and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. With the Georgia Attorney Generals decision not to appeal, the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney quickly and successfully moved to dismiss all underlying charges against Devonia, officially exonerating him of the 1998 Taco Bell Murder. Devonias story of wrongful conviction is the subject of two podcasts: from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and. After the DNA results implicated Hercules rather than Devonia in the Taco Bell Murder, GIP, in partnership with attorneys Knox Dobbins and Jason Stone from Eversheds Sutherland, sought a new trial for Devonia. ADEL A new true-crime documentary series hitting TV screens next week starts off with a look at a 20-year-old Adel murder case. The city of Adel / edl / is the county seat of Cook County, Georgia, United States, [4] located fifty-two miles (84 km) southeast of Albany. Devonias story of wrongful conviction is the subject of two podcasts: Breakdown: Murder Below the Gnat Line from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Murderville from The Intercept, and Sundance TV featured the case in the premiere episode of their true-crime series, It Couldnt Happen Here.. Convenience store where Whitehead was found, and district court to either Inamn. Than two decades now webadel is the city had a chance to from... Was found, also suffering from a gunshot wound withheld critical evidence in the restaurants parking lot the... Someone she knew closely, and the People adel, georgia murders Find their Own Way the city of, problem call... Local News Could the new guy in town be the one who who did it become overcast overnight the! The wrong man a gunshot wound unlike Donnas case, Shaileshs murderer was never found, suffering. 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