Atlanta mall shooting suspect found guilty of felony bail, awaiting trial

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Jeremy Malone, the man accused of shooting several people Tuesday in the food court of downtown Atlanta’s Peachtree Center mall, was awaiting trial on criminal charges unrelated at the time of the incident.

Police had arrested Malone for two felonies more than three years ago, but according to court records uncovered by Atlanta News investigates for the first timehis case never went to trial.

Police arrested Malone for possession of a knife during the commission of a felony and aggravated assault in April 2021.

A judge set bail the next day and he was released shortly after. One of the conditions of the bond shows that Malone was not authorized to carry weapons.

It took the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office two years and seven months to bring his case to a grand jury, which indicted him last December. Nearly seven months later, he was arrested while still out on bail for the Peachtree Center shooting.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens shared his frustration.

“Yesterday’s tragic events reflect a breakdown of the criminal justice system and our social structures on many levels,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “We need our courts to be accountable and ensure that individuals like these receive the sentence they deserve, which reflects the harm and nature of the violence they can cause in our community. »

Last year, Atlanta News investigates for the first time found at least 13,787 people arrested for crimes but not formally charged with crimes because their cases were not brought before grand juries.

Atlanta News investigates for the first time contacted Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis for comment.

Willis has previously said cases can sometimes be delayed because her team must conduct a thorough investigation before recommending an indictment, something she said her predecessor, Paul Howard, did not do.

If there’s anything you’d like Atlanta News’ premier investigative reporter Andy Pierrotti to examine, send an email [email protected].

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