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According to this article - there is motion hearing today.
Bond denied for man accused of killing Tara Grinstead
The hearing is expected to continue Tuesday (2/12) morning, when additional motions will be discussed.
Probably over but I'll post this anyway.
Tuesday, February 12th:
*Motion Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) - GA - Tara Faye Grinstead (29) (Oct. 22, 2005, Ocilla) - *Ryan Alexander Duke (33/21 @ time of crime) arrested (2/23/17), indicted (4/2017) & arraigned (5/4/17) with 2 counts of felony murder & 1 count of malice murder, aggravated assault, burglary & concealing death of another. Plead not guilty. Held without bail.
10/13/17 hearing update for Ryan Duke: will go to grand jury re media gag order on Oct. 24th; not expected to rule on this on Tuesday; Court ruled against the gag order 3/5/18; defense filed motions to reinstate. Should have been heard 3/16/18. Trial should be this year. On Monday, (3/5/18) the Georgia Supreme Court judge threw out a gag order, issued last year by an Irwin County judge, that barred anybody connected to the Grinstead case from talking to the media about it. In response, Duke's lawyers filed three documents Wednesday with the Georgia Supreme Court. One asks the Georgia court to reconsider their unanimous ruling against the gag order. If they refuse, a second says, Duke's team plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Grinstead ruling. They also want the Georgia court to leave the gag order in place until the nation's highest court acts on the case. 3/30/18: Ga. Supreme Court rejects appeal to reinstate Grinstead gag order. The Georgia Supreme Court has decided not to review Duke's appeal. 6/18/18 Defense asks for continuance, granted by Judge; trial will be sometime next summer. 7/11/18: Review hearing set for 9/20 & 9/21, & will set trial date then. 9/20/18: The hearings scheduled for today (9/20) and tomorrow (9/21) have been postponed. The D. A. requested to reschedule due to one of the State's witnesses being unavailable.
8/10/18 Update: Defense files 33 motions.
8/29/18: Duke hired Cobb County attorney Ashleigh Merchant & her husband John Merchant to represent him (pro bono) in court. Duke was formerly represented by public defenders.
10/25/18 Update: New hearing dates are 11/19 & 11/20. 11/9/18 Update: Defense files motion for change of venue. Review hearing for 33 motions on 11/19 & 11/20 moved to 11/26 & 11/27.
11/26/18 Update: Specific motions discussed: Defense Motion to limit State’s use of the word “murder”. Motion to exclude defendant’s 1st interview with LE. Dismissal of counts 1, 3 & 4. Motion #32: for Judge not to read indictment to jury. Judge won’t denied motion, but will read what he is charged with. Motion #33: Fair closing arguments from State. Motion #28: Change of Venue. Judge not granting motion at this time, to be brought up later. Defense suggests a jury questionnaire survey. State will have 52 witnesses. Trial set for April 1, 2019. Next hearing scheduled for 12/14 is to discuss what question to put toward jury questionnaire before trial.
12/7/18 Update: Motions denied by Judge: That the court not read the indictment prior to opening statements; to limit the state’s concluding closing argument to rebuttal. Special demurrer: “He contends that merely alleging Defendant “used his hand” to commit aggravated assault upon and murder the victim is too vague, ambiguous and indefinite, thus depriving him of the constitutional and statutory protections identified in his pleading.” Restrict the use of the word “murder.” Appointment of an investigator or funds to hire one.
12/8/18 Update: From leaked documents: Before Duke appeared in court for the first time last year, GBI agents said he spent nearly four hours confessing. In the documents (11 pages), an agent wrote that Duke told investigators he was looking for drug money when he broke into a random house and tried to steal Grinstead's purse and keys. When she caught him in the act, he punched her, which led to her death, Duke reportedly said. "I was involved with it, man," Duke apparently told investigators. "I was alone that night. I killed her." In the documents, he is quoted as saying, "I was a coward or I would have told this a long time ago. I am ashamed of my behavior and hiding a lie." Duke said he called Grinstead's home from a pay phone hours after the attack to see if she would answer. Agents wrote in the report they had known for years about a phone call from that phone. "The fact that Duke knew about the telephone call was knowledge only known by the GBI and guilty persons," agents wrote. After he called and she didn't answer, Duke said he went back to the house and removed her body. He claimed he came back to the home a few hours later, wrapped Grinstead's body in a blanket and placed it in the back of a truck that belonged to his friend, Bo Dukes. He said he then took the body to a pecan orchard and dumped it. Later, Duke said he and Dukes came back, moved Grinstead's body deeper into the woods and burned it. "The burning of Grinstead's body took several days, and they returned to the burn pile only once to re-burn the body and throw trash into the burn pile," agents said Duke told them. "I know I'm going to prison," Duke also apparently said. At the end of the confession, agents wrote that Duke expressed remorse. "I'm sorry for the pain I've caused. I took her life. She didn't deserve that," Duke apparently said.
12/21/18 Update: Judge denies Motion to dismiss charges.
1/4/19 Update: Duke requests $10K bond. Bond hearing set for 2/11/19.
2/11/19 Update: John Merchant, attorney for Duke opened has argument in the bond hearing with another request for a change of venue from Irwin County. Merchant says investigators need to be hired to determine if a change of venue is warranted. Judge has DENIED the motion for Change of Venue at this time. Witnesses: Stephen Duke, Ryan's bro. GBI Agent, Jason Shoudel, lead investigator. Judge DENIES Duke's bond motion. No further dates available as of 2/11. Motion hearing set for 2/12.
*Accomplice Bo Dukes (32/21 @ time of crime) arrested (3/3/17) charged with concealing a death, hindering the apprehension of a criminal & tampering with evidence. Released on $16,700 bond on 3/3/17 afternoon; waived right to his first hearing.
In June, 2017, a Ben Hill County grand jury indicted Dukes on 3 counts: concealing the death of another, 2 counts of making false statements, tampering with evidence & hindering apprehension of a criminal.
In Sept. 2017, a Wilcox County GJ indicted for 4 charges: 2 counts making false statements (to GBI), 1 count of hindering apprehension of a criminal & 1 count of concealing the death of another. Dukes has not been charged with murder. Dukes is awaiting trial in Ben Hill County.
11/21/18 Update: NOT regarding current charges re Tara. A Federal Judge will decide whether to revoke Duke’s bond & sent him back to prison. Hearing set for 11/29 in Macon. They result from a 2013 case when Dukes pleaded guilty to stealing more than $150,000 from the Army. He served 27 months in prison & was sentenced to three years' probation, but prosecutors say Dukes has violated probation by failing to keep up with restitution payments and community-service work. Had an appearance in court re Tara’s case on 1/3/19.
1/2/19 Update: Dukes has been charged with rape & sodomy following an assault in Warner Robins. Has also been charged with false imprisonment & possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As of 1/4/19 on the run from LE. 1/4/19: Dukes was caught & arrested around 5:30 p.m. Saturday pulling into a relative’s house in Ocilla after 5 days on the run. There was no resistance from Dukes, according to law enforcement.
1/3/19 Update: A Ben Hill County Superior Court judge has issued a bench warrant on Bo Dukes in connection to the Tara Grinstead case.
The warrant states Dukes was supposed to appear in court Jan. 3 on concealing a death of another, tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension or punishment of a criminal charges in the Grinstead case. The bench warrant orders any Georgia sheriff, coroner or constable to take Dukes into custody and commit him to jail.
1/4/19 update: Dukes was caught & arrested around 5:30 p.m. Saturday pulling into a relative’s house in Ocilla after 5 days on the run. There was no resistance from Dukes, according to law enforcement.
1/6/19 Update: Made appearance before Judge charged with rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment & possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Warner Robins case. Held without bond. No further dates given. Dukes is currently in state custody and 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.
I'll be shorten this whole thing soon!
Bond denied for man accused of killing Tara Grinstead
The hearing is expected to continue Tuesday (2/12) morning, when additional motions will be discussed.
Probably over but I'll post this anyway.
Tuesday, February 12th:
*Motion Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) - GA - Tara Faye Grinstead (29) (Oct. 22, 2005, Ocilla) - *Ryan Alexander Duke (33/21 @ time of crime) arrested (2/23/17), indicted (4/2017) & arraigned (5/4/17) with 2 counts of felony murder & 1 count of malice murder, aggravated assault, burglary & concealing death of another. Plead not guilty. Held without bail.
10/13/17 hearing update for Ryan Duke: will go to grand jury re media gag order on Oct. 24th; not expected to rule on this on Tuesday; Court ruled against the gag order 3/5/18; defense filed motions to reinstate. Should have been heard 3/16/18. Trial should be this year. On Monday, (3/5/18) the Georgia Supreme Court judge threw out a gag order, issued last year by an Irwin County judge, that barred anybody connected to the Grinstead case from talking to the media about it. In response, Duke's lawyers filed three documents Wednesday with the Georgia Supreme Court. One asks the Georgia court to reconsider their unanimous ruling against the gag order. If they refuse, a second says, Duke's team plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Grinstead ruling. They also want the Georgia court to leave the gag order in place until the nation's highest court acts on the case. 3/30/18: Ga. Supreme Court rejects appeal to reinstate Grinstead gag order. The Georgia Supreme Court has decided not to review Duke's appeal. 6/18/18 Defense asks for continuance, granted by Judge; trial will be sometime next summer. 7/11/18: Review hearing set for 9/20 & 9/21, & will set trial date then. 9/20/18: The hearings scheduled for today (9/20) and tomorrow (9/21) have been postponed. The D. A. requested to reschedule due to one of the State's witnesses being unavailable.
8/10/18 Update: Defense files 33 motions.
8/29/18: Duke hired Cobb County attorney Ashleigh Merchant & her husband John Merchant to represent him (pro bono) in court. Duke was formerly represented by public defenders.
10/25/18 Update: New hearing dates are 11/19 & 11/20. 11/9/18 Update: Defense files motion for change of venue. Review hearing for 33 motions on 11/19 & 11/20 moved to 11/26 & 11/27.
11/26/18 Update: Specific motions discussed: Defense Motion to limit State’s use of the word “murder”. Motion to exclude defendant’s 1st interview with LE. Dismissal of counts 1, 3 & 4. Motion #32: for Judge not to read indictment to jury. Judge won’t denied motion, but will read what he is charged with. Motion #33: Fair closing arguments from State. Motion #28: Change of Venue. Judge not granting motion at this time, to be brought up later. Defense suggests a jury questionnaire survey. State will have 52 witnesses. Trial set for April 1, 2019. Next hearing scheduled for 12/14 is to discuss what question to put toward jury questionnaire before trial.
12/7/18 Update: Motions denied by Judge: That the court not read the indictment prior to opening statements; to limit the state’s concluding closing argument to rebuttal. Special demurrer: “He contends that merely alleging Defendant “used his hand” to commit aggravated assault upon and murder the victim is too vague, ambiguous and indefinite, thus depriving him of the constitutional and statutory protections identified in his pleading.” Restrict the use of the word “murder.” Appointment of an investigator or funds to hire one.
12/8/18 Update: From leaked documents: Before Duke appeared in court for the first time last year, GBI agents said he spent nearly four hours confessing. In the documents (11 pages), an agent wrote that Duke told investigators he was looking for drug money when he broke into a random house and tried to steal Grinstead's purse and keys. When she caught him in the act, he punched her, which led to her death, Duke reportedly said. "I was involved with it, man," Duke apparently told investigators. "I was alone that night. I killed her." In the documents, he is quoted as saying, "I was a coward or I would have told this a long time ago. I am ashamed of my behavior and hiding a lie." Duke said he called Grinstead's home from a pay phone hours after the attack to see if she would answer. Agents wrote in the report they had known for years about a phone call from that phone. "The fact that Duke knew about the telephone call was knowledge only known by the GBI and guilty persons," agents wrote. After he called and she didn't answer, Duke said he went back to the house and removed her body. He claimed he came back to the home a few hours later, wrapped Grinstead's body in a blanket and placed it in the back of a truck that belonged to his friend, Bo Dukes. He said he then took the body to a pecan orchard and dumped it. Later, Duke said he and Dukes came back, moved Grinstead's body deeper into the woods and burned it. "The burning of Grinstead's body took several days, and they returned to the burn pile only once to re-burn the body and throw trash into the burn pile," agents said Duke told them. "I know I'm going to prison," Duke also apparently said. At the end of the confession, agents wrote that Duke expressed remorse. "I'm sorry for the pain I've caused. I took her life. She didn't deserve that," Duke apparently said.
12/21/18 Update: Judge denies Motion to dismiss charges.
1/4/19 Update: Duke requests $10K bond. Bond hearing set for 2/11/19.
2/11/19 Update: John Merchant, attorney for Duke opened has argument in the bond hearing with another request for a change of venue from Irwin County. Merchant says investigators need to be hired to determine if a change of venue is warranted. Judge has DENIED the motion for Change of Venue at this time. Witnesses: Stephen Duke, Ryan's bro. GBI Agent, Jason Shoudel, lead investigator. Judge DENIES Duke's bond motion. No further dates available as of 2/11. Motion hearing set for 2/12.
*Accomplice Bo Dukes (32/21 @ time of crime) arrested (3/3/17) charged with concealing a death, hindering the apprehension of a criminal & tampering with evidence. Released on $16,700 bond on 3/3/17 afternoon; waived right to his first hearing.
In June, 2017, a Ben Hill County grand jury indicted Dukes on 3 counts: concealing the death of another, 2 counts of making false statements, tampering with evidence & hindering apprehension of a criminal.
In Sept. 2017, a Wilcox County GJ indicted for 4 charges: 2 counts making false statements (to GBI), 1 count of hindering apprehension of a criminal & 1 count of concealing the death of another. Dukes has not been charged with murder. Dukes is awaiting trial in Ben Hill County.
11/21/18 Update: NOT regarding current charges re Tara. A Federal Judge will decide whether to revoke Duke’s bond & sent him back to prison. Hearing set for 11/29 in Macon. They result from a 2013 case when Dukes pleaded guilty to stealing more than $150,000 from the Army. He served 27 months in prison & was sentenced to three years' probation, but prosecutors say Dukes has violated probation by failing to keep up with restitution payments and community-service work. Had an appearance in court re Tara’s case on 1/3/19.
1/2/19 Update: Dukes has been charged with rape & sodomy following an assault in Warner Robins. Has also been charged with false imprisonment & possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As of 1/4/19 on the run from LE. 1/4/19: Dukes was caught & arrested around 5:30 p.m. Saturday pulling into a relative’s house in Ocilla after 5 days on the run. There was no resistance from Dukes, according to law enforcement.
1/3/19 Update: A Ben Hill County Superior Court judge has issued a bench warrant on Bo Dukes in connection to the Tara Grinstead case.
The warrant states Dukes was supposed to appear in court Jan. 3 on concealing a death of another, tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension or punishment of a criminal charges in the Grinstead case. The bench warrant orders any Georgia sheriff, coroner or constable to take Dukes into custody and commit him to jail.
1/4/19 update: Dukes was caught & arrested around 5:30 p.m. Saturday pulling into a relative’s house in Ocilla after 5 days on the run. There was no resistance from Dukes, according to law enforcement.
1/6/19 Update: Made appearance before Judge charged with rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment & possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Warner Robins case. Held without bond. No further dates given. Dukes is currently in state custody and 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.
I'll be shorten this whole thing soon!
