Latest news with #CobbCountyDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cobb County community leaders demand charges be dropped against accused Walmart kidnapper
The Brief The Cobb County Democratic Party is joining growing calls for Mehandra Patel to be released. They're demanding the Cobb County District Attorney Sonya Allen release Patel and drop all charges against him. Acworth Police arrested Patel in March and charged him with attempted kidnapping after a mother claimed he tried to snatch her toddler from her arms in Walmart before fleeing the scene. But video evidence released by his attorney seems to contradict that account. The Cobb County District Attorney's Office told FOX 5 in a statement that they wouldn't be moving forward with the case if there wasn't a "sound, legal basis" and that the evidence would be "appropriately addressed" at a bond hearing Tuesday. ACWORTH, Ga. - The Cobb County Democratic Committee is advocating for the release of Mahendra Patel, a 56-year-old man charged with attempted kidnapping at a Walmart in Acworth. Despite their calls, the Cobb County District Attorney's Office has stated they will proceed with the case. The backstory Patel was arrested after Acworth police alleged he attempted to snatch a toddler from his mother's arms in March. However, surveillance footage released by Patel's attorney appears to contradict this account. The video shows Patel briefly trying to pick up the child, which his attorney claims was an attempt to prevent the child from falling out of a shopping cart. Patel is then seen calmly showing the mother Tylenol, checking out, and exiting the store. What they're saying Essence Johnson, Chair of the Cobb County Democratic Party, argues that the video evidence demonstrates Patel's innocence and is calling for his release, the dropping of charges, and the sealing of his record. Patel has been held in Cobb County Jail for over 40 days, and an online petition for his release has garnered 39,000 signatures. Johnson says she and other Democratic Party officials have worked to contact DA Allen about the case but have not received any response. "This could be Mr. Patel, could be me, it could be you, it could be anybody," said Johnson. She encourages people to attend the bond hearing Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. to show their support for Patel's release. The other side The District Attorney's Office, led by Sonya Allen, maintains that they will not prosecute without a sound legal basis and are committed to upholding the rights of victims and defendants. FOX 5 reached out to the DA's office and asked whether they were considering releasing him. They sent us back this statement: "It is neither the policy nor the objective of the Cobb Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office to expend valuable taxpayer resources prosecuting individuals without a sound legal basis. This Office remains firmly committed to upholding the rights of every victim and every defendant, in accordance with the law and the principles of justice. "In every case, we are guided by the law, the evidence, and our duty to the community," said Cobb Judicial Circuit District Attorney Sonya Allen. Consistent with the ethical rules that govern our profession, we are prohibited from publicly discussing the facts of any pending criminal case outside of formal court proceedings. Mr. Patel has a bond hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 6. At that time, the facts and evidence in this matter will be appropriately addressed." The Source Information for this story was provided by The Cobb County Democratic Committee, The Cobb County District Attorney's Office and from previous reporting by Fox 5 Atlanta.
Miami Herald
27-02-2025
- Miami Herald
Man set fire that killed girlfriend's mom and grandma, GA cops say. He's prison-bound
An 'abusive' boyfriend accused of setting a fire that killed his girlfriend's mother and grandmother will spend the rest of his life in prison, Georgia prosecutors said. Jurors convicted Robert Colt Smith, 32, on charges of felony murder and first-degree arson in the 2023 house fire, the Cobb County District Attorney's Office said Feb. 27. He was also found guilty of aggravated battery and aggravated assault for attacking his then-girlfriend, Carolyn Parmalee, 19, before starting the deadly blaze, according to prosecutors. Parmalee's mom, 52-year-old Andrea Nall, and grandma, 74-year-old Michelle Lacroix, died March 12, 2023, when flames tore through their home in Austell, prosecutors said. The family's eight pets were also killed. 'This community was robbed of two amazing women who opened their home as a refuge,' Senior Assistant District Attorney Jared Horowitz, who prosecuted the case with Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Green, said in a news release. 'These two mothers did what any parent would — protect their children from an abuser,' Horowitz said. 'But this defendant used fire to seek revenge.' Prosecutors pointed to Smith's history of abuse, citing beatings that landed Parmalee in a hospital on three occasions, according to the release. One attack on Feb. 14, 2022, left her with 'severe black eyes' and 'a shoe print on her face.' Smith was arrested but released on bond on a no-contact order, prosecutors said. However, he and Parmalee continued seeing each other. After repeated assaults on her daughter, Andrea Nall tried to have Smith's bond revoked for violating the no-contact order, according to the DA's office. Smith found out and started a fire outside the family's home, authorities said. 'He used the (spray) paint as an accelerant to set fire to a Honda CRV parked under the carport,' prosecutors said. 'The vehicle ignited instantly, spreading flames to the carport and the house.' Nall, Lacroix and their pets died of smoke inhalation, authorities said. 'This case is a tragic reminder of how domestic violence can escalate to devastating consequences,' Cobb County District Attorney Sonya F. Allen said in a statement. A judge sentenced Smith to two life sentences plus 20 years in prison, prosecutors said. Austell is about a 20-mile drive northwest from downtown Atlanta.
