GUILTY GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell - Abducted & Murdered - Mom & Stepdad Charged - 17 April 2017, Augusta #2

[Niner]

I found this while searching for their case:

https://www.augustaga.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/22096

Jury Trial Calendar
Monday, February 23, 2026 - 9:00 AM
Hon. Charles H.S. Lyons, III - Presiding
Augusta Judicial Center - Courtroom 2G

Cases on this calendar were assigned at the January 8, 2026 calendar call

TRIPP, LEON LAMAR
TRIPP, TANYA FAYE


So it looks like they had a hearing on 1/8/26.

 

[Niner]

I thought about this ^^ last night - I do not believe it is a trial starting, but a Calendar Call hearing instead.....

 

[Keytonmom]

I was hoping it was the trial starting. Do you know if the public will be able to watch the trial online ?

 

[Niner]

Finally? Is it going to actually happen??!!

Trial set to begin for couple charged in Janell Carwell’s murder

Nearly a decade after 16-year-old Janell Carwell was reported missing, the murder trial of the two people charged in her death is set to begin Monday.

www.wrdw.com

Feb. 21, 2026

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Nearly a decade after 16-year-old Janell Carwell was reported missing, the murder trial of the two people charged in her death is set to begin Monday.

Leon Tripp and Tanya Tripp—Carwell’s mother—are both charged with murder in Carwell’s death. Prosecutors believe the Tripps tried to hire a hitman to kill her.

Carwell’s remains were found in March 2018 in a shallow grave behind a home on Golden Camp Road — nearly a year after she was first reported missing in 2017.

The case was delayed in March 2024, nearly two years after the Tripps were first scheduled to go to trial.
[.....]
The trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Monday [2/23/26].

 

[Niner]

Monday, February 23rd:
*Trial set to begin [for both] (@ 9am ET) - GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell (16) (Missing April 17, 2017, Augusta; found March 8, 2018) – *Leon Lamarr Tripp (38/now 46) step-dad arrested (5/23/17) & indicted & charged (3/13/18) of 2 counts of murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, cruelty to children in the 1st degree & concealing a death. [Charges revised see below] Plead not guilty. Bond $500K. DA will not seek DP [12/22/24]. Richmond County
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children & concealing death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
*Indicted & charged (10/3/23) & arraigned (10/20/23) with possession of contraband by inmate. Plead not guilty. Richmond County
*Tanya Faye Tripp (35/now 43) "mom" arrested (5/23/17), charged & indicted (3/13/18) of 2nd degree murder, concealing a death & harboring a fugitive. Plead not guilty. $500K bond. *Richmond County
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children in the first degree & concealing the death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
Tanya failed to provide accurate info regarding the circumstances of her daughter’s abduction.
Trial was set to begin on 7/14/25 was continued on 2/23/26 [per article].
Judge Charles H.S. Lyons, III presiding. State attorney Deshala T. Dixon. Leon’s Defense attorneys Kara Stangl & Elisa Burnum. Tanya’s Defense attorney Arnold Ragas.
Court info from 2/2/18 thru 9/26/25 reference post #270 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-14
9/27/25 Update: Next for both a status conference hearing on 11/25/25 @ 9am. 11/25/25 Update: Had Calendar call hearing on 1/8/26.
1/8/26 Update: Next Calendar Call hearing on 2/23/26 @ 9am. Per article in post #284 trial is set to begin on 2/23/26 @ 9am.

 

[Keytonmom]

Can we watch the trial ?

 

[Niner]

Can we watch the trial ?

Sorry - I have no idea....

 

[tlcya]

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Jury selection began Monday for the murder trial of two people charged in the death of 16-year-old Janell Carwell.
[snip]
It’s a case with a lot of local interest.

At the Richmond County courthouse on Monday morning, there were two rooms of people there for the trial − one room where the judge was and an overflow room.
[snip]
By 11:35 a.m., questioning had been completed for the potential jurors, and there was a 15-minute break.
Jury selection begins for parents charged in teen’s murder

 

[tlcya]

It's been nine long years awaiting justice for Janell. It's coming sweet child. It's coming.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 24th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 2) [for both] (@ 9am ET) - GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell (16) (Missing April 17, 2017, Augusta; found March 8, 2018) – *Leon Lamarr Tripp (38/now 45) step-dad arrested (5/23/17) & indicted & charged (3/13/18) of 2 counts of murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, cruelty to children in the 1st degree & concealing a death. [Charges revised see below] Plead not guilty. Bond $500K. DA will not seek DP [12/22/24].
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children & concealing death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
*Indicted & charged (10/3/23) & arraigned (10/20/23) with possession of contraband by inmate. Plead not guilty. Richmond County
*Tanya Faye Tripp (35/now 42) "mom" arrested (5/23/17), charged & indicted (3/13/18) of 2nd degree murder, concealing a death & harboring a fugitive. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children in the first degree & concealing the death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
Tanya failed to provide accurate info regarding the circumstances of her daughter’s abduction.
Trial began with Jury Selection on 2/23/26. Jury will consist of 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Judge Charles H.S. Lyons, III presiding. State attorney Deshala T. Dixon. Leon’s Defense attorneys Kara Stangl & Elisa Burnum. Tanya’s Defense attorney Arnold Ragas.
Court info from 2/2/18 thru 1/8/26 reference post #285 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-15
2/23/26 Monday, Jury Selection Day 1: Jury selection began Monday. About 60 potential jurors came in. That will be the pool for the jury & three alternates. Judge Charles Lyons just read to the potential jurors the charges the Tripps are facing: Malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault-family violence & concealing death of another. One potential juror was quickly dismissed because of a relation by marriage to the DA. Potential jurors were answering a list of questions, one by one. The first group of 60 was told to return at 1:35pm. Meanwhile, another group of 60 was told to come back at 3pm. The remaining group of potential jurors will need to call back after 6pm to get their instructions for Tuesday. A total of 3 potential jurors were dismissed. Trial continues with jury selection on Tuesday, 2/24/26 @ 9am.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The suspects entered first, followed by approximately 60 potential jurors. Judge Lyons read the charges the Tripps are facing:

• Malice murder
• Felony murder
• Aggravated assault - family violence
• Concealing death of another

One potential juror was quickly dismissed because of a relation by marriage to the district attorney.

Potential jurors were answering a list of questions, one by one:

• How long they’ve lived in Richmond County
• Which area of the county they live in and where they work
• Where their spouse works (if they have a spouse)
• Whether they have kids (if so, how many and age)
• Where they are originally from

Jury selection continues for parents charged in teen’s murder

Day two of jury selection is set to begin Tuesday in the murder trial of a mother and stepfather charged in the death of 16-year-old Janell Carwell.

www.wrdw.com

 

[Niner]

Jury selection wraps Day 2 for parents charged in teen’s murder

Day two of jury selection is set to begin Tuesday in the murder trial of a mother and stepfather charged in the death of 16-year-old Janell Carwell.

www.wrdw.com

Feb. 24, 2026
....
The court has 36 potential jurors returning Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. from the first panel questioned. The court is still questioning 30 additional potential jurors from a second panel.

The end goal is to seat 12 jurors plus three alternates. Jury selection continues Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. at the Richmond County courthouse.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, February 25th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 3] [for both] (@ 9am ET) - GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell (16) (Missing April 17, 2017, Augusta; found March 8, 2018) – *Leon Lamarr Tripp (38/now 45) step-dad arrested (5/23/17) & indicted & charged (3/13/18) of 2 counts of murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, cruelty to children in the 1st degree & concealing a death. [Charges revised see below] Plead not guilty. Bond $500K. DA will not seek DP [12/22/24].
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children & concealing death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
*Indicted & charged (10/3/23) & arraigned (10/20/23) with possession of contraband by inmate. Plead not guilty. Richmond County
*Tanya Faye Tripp (35/now 42) "mom" arrested (5/23/17), charged & indicted (3/13/18) of 2nd degree murder, concealing a death & harboring a fugitive. Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Richmond County
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children in the first degree & concealing the death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
Tanya failed to provide accurate info regarding the circumstances of her daughter’s abduction.
Trial began with Jury Selection on 2/23/26. Jury will consist of 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Judge Charles H.S. Lyons, III presiding. State attorney Deshala T. Dixon. Leon’s Defense attorneys Kara Stangl & Elisa Burnum. Tanya’s Defense attorney Arnold Ragas.
Court info from 2/2/18 thru 1/8/26 & Jury Selection Day 1 (2/23/26) reference post #290 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-15
2/24/26 Tuesday, Jury Selection Day 2: Jury selection continues. On Tuesday morning, the Tripps were there & potential jury members came back in small groups of five around 9am. Some potential jurors also came in individually for questions. One potential juror was dismissed due to formed opinions on the case. The potential juror said they had prior knowledge of the case between news coverage & word of mouth, but did not know the Tripps personally. When asked if they believed both Leon & Tanya were guilty, the potential juror said yes & all they want is “justice for that baby.” The court has 36 potential jurors returning Wednesday morning at 11am from the first panel questioned. The court is still questioning 30 additional potential jurors from a second panel. The end goal is to seat 12 jurors plus three alternates. Jury selection continues Wednesday morning at 9am at the Richmond County courthouse. Trial continues with jury selection on Wednesday, 2/25/26 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

Does not sound like they have a jury yet.

Jury pool narrowed down for parents charged in teen’s murder

A third day of jury selection began Wednesday in the murder trial of a mother and stepfather charged in the death of 16-year-old Janell Carwell.

www.wrdw.com

Feb. 25, 2025
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A third day of jury selection began Wednesday in the murder trial of a mother and stepfather charged in the death of 16-year-old Janell Carwell.
[.....]
For the third day, the main focus inside the Richmond County courtroom was on finding jurors who can enter the case without bias — a process that proved to be a challenge.

On Wednesday morning, a second panel of potential jurors was questioned.

Within 40 minutes of court starting, at least seven potential jurors were dismissed due to bias opinions.

By lunchtime, the list of potential jurors had been narrowed to 41 people.

Attorneys planned to start striking people from that pool to reach a final jury.

Several potential jurors stated they formed opinions based off media coverage and social media.

 

[Niner]

I am "forbidden" to access this link - but looks like a jury has been selected.

Jury seated, opening statements near in Tripp murder trial
The Augusta Press
Welcome to The Augusta Press › jury-seated-opening-statem...
13 minutes ago — Opening statements are expected to start Thursday in the trial of Leon and Tanya Tripps, accused of killing 16-year-old Janell Carwell.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, February 26th:
*Trial set to begin [for both] (@ 9am ET) - GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell (16) (Missing April 17, 2017, Augusta; found March 8, 2018) – *Leon Lamarr Tripp (38/now 45) step-dad arrested (5/23/17) & indicted & charged (3/13/18) of 2 counts of murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, cruelty to children in the 1st degree & concealing a death. [Charges revised see below] Plead not guilty. Bond $500K. DA will not seek DP [12/22/24]. Richmond County
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children & concealing death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
*Indicted & charged (10/3/23) & arraigned (10/20/23) with possession of contraband by inmate. Plead not guilty. Richmond County
*Tanya Faye Tripp (35/now 42) "mom" arrested (5/23/17), charged & indicted (3/13/18) of 2nd degree murder, concealing a death & harboring a fugitive. Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Richmond County
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children in the first degree & concealing the death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
Tanya failed to provide accurate info regarding the circumstances of her daughter’s abduction.
Jury Selection began on 2/23/26 & ended on 2/25/26. Jury consists of 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Judge Charles H.S. Lyons, III presiding. State attorney Deshala T. Dixon. Leon’s Defense attorneys Kara Stangl & Elisa Burnum. Tanya’s Defense attorney Arnold Ragas.
Court info from 2/2/18 thru 1/8/26 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (2/23-2/24/26) reference post #293 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-15
2/25/26 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 3: Jury selection continues. On Wednesday morning, a second panel of potential jurors was questioned. Within 40 minutes of court starting, at least seven potential jurors were dismissed due to bias opinions. By lunchtime, the list of potential jurors had been narrowed to 41 people. Attorneys planned to start striking people from that pool to reach a final jury. Several potential jurors stated they formed opinions based off media coverage & social media. Jury has been selected. Trial begins with opening statements on Thursday, 2/26/26 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

Great article on proceedings from yesterday, 2/26/26.

Testimony starts in trial of parents charged in teen’s murder

Opening statements will begin on Day 4 in the murder trial of Leon and Tanya Tripp.

www.wrdw.com

 

[Niner]

Friday, February 27th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) [for both] (@ 9am ET) - GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell (16) (Missing April 17, 2017, Augusta; found March 8, 2018) – *Leon Lamarr Tripp (38/now 45) step-dad arrested (5/23/17) & indicted & charged (3/13/18) of 2 counts of murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, cruelty to children in the 1st degree & concealing a death. [Charges revised see below] Plead not guilty. Bond $500K. DA will not seek DP [12/22/24].
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children & concealing death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
*Indicted & charged (10/3/23) & arraigned (10/20/23) with possession of contraband by inmate. Plead not guilty. Richmond County
*Tanya Faye Tripp (35/now 42) "mom" arrested (5/23/17), charged & indicted (3/13/18) of 2nd degree murder, concealing a death & harboring a fugitive. Plead not guilty. $500K bond.
Indicted & re-charged (11/14/23) & arraigned (12/8/23) with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, cruelty to children in the first degree & concealing the death of another. Held without bond (11/14/23). Bond reduction denied (3/25/24). Richmond County
Tanya failed to provide accurate info regarding the circumstances of her daughter’s abduction.
Jury Selection began on 2/23/26 & ended on 2/25/26. Jury consists of 12 jurors & 2 alternates. [1 juror was dismissed on 2/26/26].
Trial began on 2/26/26.
Judge Charles H.S. Lyons, III presiding. State attorney Deshala T. Dixon & Justin Mullis. Leon’s Defense attorneys Kara Stangl & Elisa Burnum. Tanya’s Defense attorney Arnold Ragas.
Court info from 2/2/18 thru 1/8/26 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (2/23-2/25/26) reference post #296 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-15
2/26/26 Thursday, Trial Day 1: *The jury was sworn in around 9:45 a.m. Thursday after a difficult three days of selecting jurors & some additional problems Thursday morning. After being selected, one of the jurors was dismissed Thursday before being sworn in. The juror was accused of watching news coverage of the case & talking about the case with other potential jurors. The judge said there will be a hearing at a later date to decide whether to hold the juror in contempt of court. One of the three alternates took the excused juror’s place.
Opening statements by prosecutor Justin Mullis & defense attorney Elisa Burnum {Leon] & defense attorney Arnold Ragas [Tanya].
State witnesses: ShaDarrel Carwell [the widow of Tanya Tripp’s brother, Charles Carwell]. Tanija Carwell [Janell's sister]. Richmond County Sheriff's Office Lt. David Milford. Belinda Bunch [911 operator]. Renetta DuBose [former WJBF reporter]. Lori Myles [Janell's teacher]. Earnestine McKie [member of Greater Zion Baptist Church]. Trial continues on Friday, 2/27/26 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

for Friday, 2/27

Testimony continues on Day 5 in trial of parents charged in Janell Carwell’s murder

Prosecutors continued with witness testimonies on Day 5 in the murder trial of Leon and Tanya Tripp.

www.wrdw.com

The article is counting the jury selection days as trial days.... Me - I separate them. So this is actually Day 2 of trial.

 

[NervousNellie]

The suspects entered first, followed by approximately 60 potential jurors. Judge Lyons read the charges the Tripps are facing:

• Malice murder
• Felony murder
• Aggravated assault - family violence
• Concealing death of another

One potential juror was quickly dismissed because of a relation by marriage to the district attorney.

Potential jurors were answering a list of questions, one by one:

• How long they’ve lived in Richmond County
• Which area of the county they live in and where they work
• Where their spouse works (if they have a spouse)
• Whether they have kids (if so, how many and age)
• Where they are originally from

Jury selection continues for parents charged in teen’s murder

Day two of jury selection is set to begin Tuesday in the murder trial of a mother and stepfather charged in the death of 16-year-old Janell Carwell.

www.wrdw.com

Those are interesting questions. I wonder if those are standard or case specific (and why)). Jury selection is fascinating.