GA - TRIAL OF Ryan Alexander Duke & Bo Dukes - Tara Grinstead, 29, Ocilla, 22 Oct 2005 *Guilty/Not Guilty*

After years in prison, the man convicted of concealing Tara Grinstead's death is asking a judge to throw his remaining charges out over how much time has passed.




7.13.2023

BANKS COUNTY, Ga. - Bo Dukes, the man convicted of concealing the murder of Georgia teacher Tara Grinstead is set to appear before a judge for a hearing Thursday.

Dukes was convicted in 2019 of concealing a death by covering up the murder of Grinstead, who was last seen the night of October 22, 2005, when she attended a beauty pageant and barbecue in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Investigators say she went home to Ocilla and was never seen again.
 
Okay - late to the game - but will post this anyway to keep my notes straight! And I can shorten them up a bit. :)

Thursday, July 13th:
*Motions Hearing (@ 9am ET) - GA - Tara Faye Grinstead (29) (Oct. 22, 2005, Ocilla) - *Bo Dukes (21 @ time of crime/38) indicted (6/1/22) with hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal, concealing death of another & tampering with evidence. Ben Hill County
Trial was set to begin on 6/22/22 has been continued to late September, but continued with no date announced. Article stated trial will start either on 6/22/23 or 6/27/23 which were cancelled.
Court info from 6/1/22 thru 9/9/22 reference post #680 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-22-oct-2005-guilty-not-guilty.430005/page-34

1/31/23 Update: Dukes’ attorney wants charges thrown out. Appeared before Judge on Tuesday. They argue that the statute of limitations has passed & it's too late to try Dukes. A hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, 2/7/23 in Ben Hill Superior Court before Judge Robert Chasteen.
2/7/23 Update: The court hearing was for Ryan Duke & Bo Dukes, who were both charged in connection to the death & disappearance of Tara Grinstead. Their attorneys are trying to get the charges in Ben Hill County thrown out, claiming the statute of limitations has run out. The hearing was in Ben Hill County. Two witnesses took the stand at the Tuesday hearing. Gary Rothwell, the former special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Perry office, was the first witness. The state argued the statute of limitations passed for murder charges. The defense argued murder is the only charge with no statute of limitations. Jason Shoudel, the lead GBI agent on the Grinstead case, also took the witness stand. A decision was not reached at the Tuesday hearing. There will be a continuation of the hearing but a date has not been set yet. Next motion hearing on 7/13/23.
7/13/23 Update: Ryan Dukes is set to appear before a judge for a hearing Thursday. A judge is deciding if a man acquitted in the murder of a South Georgia teacher can be charged in a neighboring county. Ryan Dukes was found not guilty in the murder of Tara Grinstead, a South Georgia high school teacher and beauty queen in Irwin County. Dukes’ attorney now wants new charges in Ben Hill County thrown out. Dukes’ attorneys say the statute of limitations on those charges ran out a long time ago. Dukes’ attornies presented witnesses, some also via Zoom, showing law enforcement considered Dukes & his high school friend, Bo Duke, suspects. A jury also convicted Duke of hiding her body. He was in court Thursday, too. Former Irwin County Deputy Alan Morgan testified. The state questioned the defense witnesses hard, insisting that Dukes name may have been out there but so were names associated with hundreds of other leads, so the statute of limitations clock didn’t start until the actual arrest of both men in 2017. The hearing ended around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The judge will make his ruling soon about whether Dukes will now face new charges related to Grinstead’s murder.
*Bo Dukes: Found guilty (3/21/19) in Tara Grinstead case of hindering prosecution, concealing death of another & 2 counts making false statement & sentenced to 25 years. 10/22/20 Update: A hearing was set for 11/24/20, in Wilcox County for Dukes. The judge will consider Dukes' request for a new trial. 9/22/22 Update: Bo Dukes appealed his March 2019 conviction on Wilcox County charges for the death & disappearance of Grinstead. Dukes’ lawyers said the trial court should not have admitted his confessions & statements to investigators during the trial. In his appeal, Dukes’ lawyers also argued that his convictions should have been merged during sentencing. The court said they found no error in Dukes’ trial or sentencing & denied a new trial or change of his 25-year sentence. Maximum release date of 3/20/44. Wilcox County
*Ryan Alexander Duke - 5/20/22: The jury has found Duke not guilty on 2 counts of felony murder & 1 count of malice murder, aggravated assault & burglary. Guilty only on Count 6-Concealing a Death. Duke was sentenced on 5/23/22 to 10 years in prison, the maximum penalty under the law. Irwin County

Pending cases:
GA -2 ladies (Jan. 1, 2019, Houston County) - *Bo Dukes (34 @ time of crime/37/now 38) re-indicted (5/19/22) with 1 count of rape, 2 counts of aggravated sodomy, involving both women; 2 counts of kidnapping, 2 counts of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, 4 counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony & 1 count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Held without bond. Houston County
According to the indictment (5/19/22), Dukes pointed a Browning 20-gauge shotgun at both women & threatened to kill them; Dukes went missing after the New Year's Day incident & was arrested four days later at a relative's home in Irwin County. No trial date has been set for Dukes on either the Houston County case or the Ben Hill County charges.
1/6/19 Update: Made appearance before Judge charged with rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment & possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Warner Robbins case. Held without bond. No further dates given. Dukes is currently in state custody & will eventually be turned over (1/9/19) to federal custody & will complete six months in federal prison, as part of his revoked supervised release. Houston County Warner Robins case on 1/1/20.
GA – 1 Lady (Jan. 19, 2017, Houston County) - *Bo Dukes (32 @ time of crime/34/now 38) indicted & charged (Oct, 2019) with 1 count of sexual assault rape. Houston County

ALSO:
*Motions Hearing (@ 9am ET) - GA - Tara Faye Grinstead (29) (Oct. 22, 2005, Ocilla, still missing) – *Ryan Alexander Duke (21 @ time of crime/38) indicted (6/3/22) & arraigned (7/5/22 waived) with concealing the death of another, hindering apprehension or punishment of a criminal, 2 counts of concealment of facts & 2 counts of tampering with evidence & lying. Ben Hill County
Found not guilty 5/20/22 of murder, but guilty on concealing a death. Sentenced to 10 years.
Court info from 6/3/22 thru 8/30/22 reference post #682 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-22-oct-2005-guilty-not-guilty.430005/page-35

2/7/23 Update: The court hearing was for Ryan Duke & Bo Dukes, who were both charged in connection to the death and disappearance of Tara Grinstead. Their attorneys are trying to get the charges in Ben Hill County thrown out, claiming the statute of limitations has run out. The hearing was in Ben Hill County. Two witnesses took the stand at the Tuesday hearing. Gary Rothwell, the former special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Perry office, was the first witness. The state argued the statute of limitations passed for murder charges. The defense argued murder is the only charge with no statute of limitations. Jason Shoudel, the lead GBI agent on the Grinstead case, also took the witness stand. A decision was not reached at the Tuesday hearing. There will be a continuation of the hearing but a date has not been set yet. Next hearing on 7/13/23.
7/13/23 Update: Ryan Dukes is set to appear before a judge for a hearing Thursday. A judge is deciding if a man acquitted in the murder of a South Georgia teacher can be charged in a neighboring county. Ryan Dukes was found not guilty in the murder of Tara Grinstead, a South Georgia high school teacher and beauty queen in Irwin County. Dukes’ attorney now wants new charges in Ben Hill County thrown out. Dukes’ attorneys say the statute of limitations on those charges ran out a long time ago. Dukes’ attornies presented witnesses, some also via Zoom, showing law enforcement considered Dukes & his high school friend, Bo Duke, suspects. A jury also convicted Duke of hiding her body. He was in court Thursday, too. Former Irwin County Deputy Alan Morgan testified. The state questioned the defense witnesses hard, insisting that Dukes name may have been out there but so were names associated with hundreds of other leads, so the statute of limitations clock didn’t start until the actual arrest of both men in 2017. The hearing ended around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The judge will make his ruling soon about whether Dukes will now face new charges related to Grinstead’s murder.
 
Just bumping this up - any news - anyone?

for Bo Dukes:
Ben Hill County #17CR-189

Houston County #2019CR053334-1 thru -12
and another case in Houston County - no case # it is this:
GA – 1 Lady (Jan. 19, 2017, Houston County) - *Bo Dukes (32 @ time of crime/34/now 38) indicted & charged (Oct, 2019) with 1 count of sexual assault rape

For Ryan Duke:
Ben Hill County #22-CR-113

Last was a motions hearings for both was 7/13/23.
 
Just bumping this up - any news - anyone?

for Bo Dukes:
Ben Hill County #17CR-189

Houston County #2019CR053334-1 thru -12
and another case in Houston County - no case # it is this:
GA – 1 Lady (Jan. 19, 2017, Houston County) - *Bo Dukes (32 @ time of crime/34/now 38) indicted & charged (Oct, 2019) with 1 count of sexual assault rape

For Ryan Duke:
Ben Hill County #22-CR-113

Last was a motions hearings for both was 7/13/23.
All is quiet in Georgia, still no word on when to expect Judge’s ruling.
 
Sure is taking his sweet time.... this was back in July... guess he took Summer off. :rolleyes:

But Thanks for the update! :)
Sadly, everything has dragged on with this case.
I’m an hour South, wouldn’t go so far to say scary obsession but case has consumed me since day one of Tara’s disappearance by several indirect connections. I’ve actually served as pageant judge a few times at Irwin High School where Tara was employed. If I locate update will definitely let you know, statute of limitations was heavily discussed when BD was first arrested. Enjoy your Sunday!
 
Sadly, everything has dragged on with this case.
I’m an hour South, wouldn’t go so far to say scary obsession but case has consumed me since day one of Tara’s disappearance by several indirect connections. I’ve actually served as pageant judge a few times at Irwin High School where Tara was employed. If I locate update will definitely let you know, statute of limitations was heavily discussed when BD was first arrested. Enjoy your Sunday!

Oh I do hope you find out something! I too have been following this since Tara disappeared.
 
Finally a resolution...


Dec. 19, 2023

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - Bo Dukes has pled guilty to three additional charges in two rape cases.

Dukes was convicted for his involvement in the 2005 death and disappearance of Irwin County teacher and beauty queen Tara Grinstead.
[.....]
He is currently serving 25 years in prison for charges out of Wilcox County.

WALB obtained documents from the Houston County Clerk’s office that show Bo Dukes did plead guilty in November to three charges; two counts of rape and one charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
[.....]
The Judge sentenced Dukes to 20 years to serve 10 concurrent with any other sentence that he’s serving. WALB News 10′s Lenah Allen sat down with legal expert Chris Cohilas to better understand this ruling.
[.....]
WALB has reached out to Dukes’ lawyers for comment but has not heard back yet. He is currently serving at the Central State Prison. When he is released in 2044, Dukes will have to register as a sex offender.
 
So - according to my notes he still has cases in Ben Hill County. The last hearing was in July, 2023.

*Motions Hearing (@ 9am ET) - GA - Tara Faye Grinstead (29) (Oct. 22, 2005, Ocilla) - *Bo Dukes (21 @ time of crime/38) indicted (6/1/22) with hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal, concealing death of another & tampering with evidence. Ben Hill County #17CR-189

Also Ryan Duke - has this one pending in Ben Hill County.

*Motions Hearing (@ 9am ET) - GA - Tara Faye Grinstead (29) (Oct. 22, 2005, Ocilla, still missing) – *Ryan Alexander Duke (21 @ time of crime/38) indicted (6/3/22) & arraigned (7/5/22 waived) with concealing the death of another, hindering apprehension or punishment of a criminal, 2 counts of concealment of facts & 2 counts of tampering with evidence & lying. Ben Hill County #22-CR-113


Anyone hear anything on these last cases? TIA! If you can help.
 
So - according to my notes he still has cases in Ben Hill County. The last hearing was in July, 2023.

*Motions Hearing (@ 9am ET) - GA - Tara Faye Grinstead (29) (Oct. 22, 2005, Ocilla) - *Bo Dukes (21 @ time of crime/38) indicted (6/1/22) with hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal, concealing death of another & tampering with evidence. Ben Hill County #17CR-189

Also Ryan Duke - has this one pending in Ben Hill County.

*Motions Hearing (@ 9am ET) - GA - Tara Faye Grinstead (29) (Oct. 22, 2005, Ocilla, still missing) – *Ryan Alexander Duke (21 @ time of crime/38) indicted (6/3/22) & arraigned (7/5/22 waived) with concealing the death of another, hindering apprehension or punishment of a criminal, 2 counts of concealment of facts & 2 counts of tampering with evidence & lying. Ben Hill County #22-CR-113


Anyone hear anything on these last cases? TIA! If you can help.
There’s still no update on Motion for Ben Hill County- there’s Georgia attorneys speculation on delay but nothing else.

I was actually coming to post report from WALB, Albany on BD rape cases, transparency missing from these charges- JMO. It’s heartbreaking that one of his victims passed away without witnessing justice.
 
@cathyrusson

Bo Dukes pleads guilty in rape cases.

https://wsbtv.com/news/local/man-imprisoned-hiding-death-tara-grinstead-pleads-guilty-unrelated-rape-cases/W57GST7AEFCRZCQMRVR5DY5RRE/#TaraGrinstead


3:27 PM · Dec 19, 2023




A man imprisoned for concealing the death of Georgia teacher Tara Grinstead has pleaded guilty to reduced charges in two unrelated rape cases in a deal that lets him avoid additional prison time.

Houston County Superior Court records show that Bo Dukes agreed to plea deals Nov. 13 to settle charges that he had raped women in 2017 and 2019 after threatening them with weapons. Prosecutors agreed to let Dukes plead guilty to aggravated assault with intent to rape in both cases. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, while more than a dozen other counts were dismissed.

The sentences Dukes, 39, received won’t add to the 25-year prison term he is currently serving for his role in Grinstead’s death and disappearance, The plea deal was first reported by WALB-TV.

...


December 19, 2023 at 1:16 pm EST
 

The sentences Dukes, 39, received won't add to the 25-year prison term he is currently serving for his role in Grinstead's death and disappearance. The plea deal was first reported by WALB-TV.

A high school teacher and former beauty queen, Grinstead vanished in 2005 from her home in rural Irwin County. Her fate remained a mystery for more than a decade until Dukes' friend with a similar last name, Ryan Duke, told Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents that he strangled Grinstead and enlisted Dukes to help burn her body.
 
@Dhighsmith - going thru some oldies - and wondering if there might be an update yet for either
Dukes - Ben Hill County #17CR-189
or
Ryan - Ben Hill County #22-CR-113

TIA! :)
 
PODCAST: Former Georgia beauty queen and beloved high school teacher, Tara Grinstead vanished in 2005, leaving a community stunned and without answers for over a decade until Ryan Duke, a former student at the school she taught at, was arrested and charged with her murder. Just weeks later, Ryan’s friend, Bo Dukes was also arrested in connection to her disappearance. Both men claimed that they helped dispose of her body but blamed each other for the murder. When Ryan Duke stood trial, it would be up to a jury to determine who was telling the truth. This episode of the Court TV Podcast dives deeper into this cold case that drew national attention with an audio edition of our original series, Accomplice to Murder with Vinnie Politan. This episode is titled Missing Beauty Queen.
 

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