Latest news with #CobbCountySuperiorCourt
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
A man spent 45 days in jail, accused of trying to abduct a child at Walmart. A judge granted a bond after lawyer shows video
Mahendra Patel, who is facing attempted kidnapping and other charges after a mother accused him of trying to grab her 2-year-old son from her at a Georgia Walmart, has been granted a $10,000 bond after being held in a Cobb County jail for 45 days. 'I'm going to grant this man a bond. He's entitled to a bond,' Cobb County Superior Court Judge A. Gregory Poole said in court Tuesday. Patel was released later in the day, his attorney told CNN. Patel's lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, presented her case as to why he should be released by showing the judge a compilation of security footage that she subpoenaed from Walmart and shared with media outlets including CNN. They show the March 18 incident at a Walmart in the city of Acworth, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. Merchant said Patel was just trying to make sure the boy didn't fall from a scooter his mother was riding on with him in her lap. Patel had the support of numerous people who were in another room at the courthouse, including friends, relatives and neighbors, the attorney told the judge. The footage is somewhat grainy and Patel's back obscures part of what is happening. Mahendra Patel is seen interacting with a woman at a Walmart. CNN has highlighted a portion of this image. - The Merchant Law Firm P.C. Prosecutors argued the video shows Patel grabbed the child, he shouldn't have and he fled after the incident. Merchant contended Patel did not flee the scene, and that he has strong ties in the community, such as property ownership, a wife and daughters, volunteering at local nonprofits and being a member of organizations such as the Kiwanis Club. Cobb County Chief Assistant District Attorney Jesse Evans said Patel was previously convicted of a felony for a financial scheme and was arrested on suspicion of DUI. 'I'm not worried about that. I don't believe he poses a risk to the community,' said Poole. 'The evidence from the video, and I won't comment on what I think the video really shows, as far as guilt or innocence. It's not my job today. But the facts do show me that he hung around, and I don't find that he's a flight risk based upon what I saw in the video,' Poole said. Caroline Miller, 26, told police Patel asked for help finding Tylenol at the Walmart. She said Patel tried to grab her 2-year-old son from her, but she pulled the child back. CNN has attempted to reach Miller, who previously has spoken publicly about the incident, for comment. When reached by phone, a family member told CNN that Miller declined to comment. A grand jury indicted Patel on April 3 on charges of criminal attempt to commit kidnapping, simple assault and simple battery, according to court documents. Patel, 57, spent his birthday in jail, according to his attorney. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cobb Superior Court clerk repaying $84K in passport fees
Cobb County Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor is going to repay thousands in passport shipping fees that she collected over her first two years. The Cobb County Commission voted on Tuesday night to a check from Taylor's office to repay the funds. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] An Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation found that the amount Taylor would need to repay is close to $84,000. State law allows superior court clerks to keep the $35 processing fee when someone applies for a passport as a way to supplement their salary. But Cobb County officials say Taylor also kept a $24.70 expedited shipping fee that should have gone to the county. TRENDING STORIES: Gene Hackman death: Gas company assisting with investigation; Hackman, wife found in different rooms Police say Atlanta rapper's 'cowardly' actions led to innocent teens' birthday party murders Search teams say they're getting close to finding missing teacher who vanished in Lake Oconee The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found Taylor collected more than $425,000 in passport fees in 2021 and 2022 combined, in addition to the $170,000 salary she receives. Libby Blackwell, Taylor's chief operating officer, said they have been prepared to return the money for the last two years, and they have already returned $43,750 for expedited passport fees collected in 2023 and 2024. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
