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

[Niner]

Monday, March 2nd:
*Trial 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.
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. 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) & Trial Day 1 (2/26/26) reference post #298 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-15
2/27/26 Friday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Angela Harden [a pastor who helped with community searches for Janell Carwell in 2017]. Willie McClod [He stated he knew Leon for about seven or eight months when Janell went missing]. Patrick “Maurice” Jackson [he met Leon the week before Janell went missing]. Douglas McClain [works for the Augusta Fire Dept. & reported abandoned truck]. Daniel Madden [who was an investigator with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in 2017-received call re truck]. Dr. Sandra Reynolds [forensic pathologist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. She examined the remains & was given initial information of how the remains were recovered]. Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Ronald Sylvester [works on missing-person cases].
*Before court adjourned, Tanya’s attorney Arnold Ragas asked Judge Lyons to remove the entire Richmond County DA’s Office from the case. Ragas argued that Kevin Davis, the Chief Assistant DA, previously worked for the Public Defender’s Office from 2017 through 2019 — the same office that handled parts of Tanya’s defense early in the case. Ragas said Davis participated in internal meetings, strategy discussions & discovery reviews related to Tanya’s case at that time. Ragas said Davis is now helping supervise the prosecution & could step in if lead prosecutor Justin Mullis has to step away. The prosecution did not deny that Davis had been consulted but argued the defense’s claims were too vague & lacked specifics about what information Davis may have accessed. Judge Lyons did not rule immediately. He ordered the defense to file a detailed written motion by midday Sunday, with copies emailed to the court and the DA’s office. The matter is expected to be addressed Monday morning. Trial continues on Monday, 3/2/26 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

Not finding any articles for yesterday....

Tuesday, March 3rd:
*Trial continues (Day 4) [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].
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.
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. 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) & Trial Days 1-2 (2/26-2/27/26) reference post #301 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-16
3/2/26 Monday, Trial Day 3: State witnesses: Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Ronald Sylvester [works on missing-person cases] back on stand?? No other info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 3/3/26 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

Finally received an article on Day 3 -Monday, 3/2/26

Mistrial denied for parents in 16-year-old’s murder

Day 6 of the Leon and Tanya Tripp murder trial began with a decision from the judge before testimony continued.

www.wrdw.com

 

[Niner]

Trial Day 4 - 3/3/26

In parents’ murder trial, jurors hear about discovery of teen’s body

Tuesday’s testimony included the discovery of the body of the 16-year-old daughter whose death led to murder charges against her parents.

www.wrdw.com

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, March 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 5) [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 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.
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. 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 (2/23-2/25/26) & Trial Days 1-2 (2/26-2/27/26) reference post #301 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-16
3/2/26 Monday, Trial Day 3: *On Friday, Tanya’s attorney Arnold Ragas asked Judge Charles Lyons to remove the entire Richmond County District Attorney’s Office from the case. On Monday morning, Judge Lyons said he didn’t receive the motion from Ragas. The motion was re-sent & printed in the courtroom just before 9:20am. Judge Lyons denied a mistrial shortly after 10:30am.
*State witnesses: Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Ronald Sylvester [works on missing-person cases] back on stand. James H. Williams [is currently employed by the Nickel Group, a private security firm, but used to track fugitives for the state & worked for the U.S. Marshals Service. He was tasked to locate Leon]. Mark Dobbins [an investigator who has worked for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years. He is labeled an expert in digital forensics]. Trial continues on Tuesday, 3/3/26 @ 9:15am.
3/3/26 Tuesday, Trial Day 4: State witnesses: Mark Dobbins [an investigator who has worked for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office] back on stand. FBI Agent Carl Wright. William Smith [a sergeant with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office]. Trial continues on Wednesday, 3/4/26.

 

[NervousNellie]

Trial Day 4 - 3/3/26

In parents’ murder trial, jurors hear about discovery of teen’s body

Tuesday’s testimony included the discovery of the body of the 16-year-old daughter whose death led to murder charges against her parents.

www.wrdw.com

I am pleased to see such consistent and thorough reporting on this trial. Apparently, we aren't the only ones wanting justice for Janell.

 

[Niner]

Seems like an awful quick trial!!

Prosecution, defense rest in parents’ trial over teen’s murder

The prosecution and defense rested their cases on the eighth day of the trial of Leon and Tanya Tripp in the murder of their 16-year-old daughter Janell Carwell.

www.wrdw.com

 

[Niner]

Thursday, March 5th:
*Trial continues (Day 6)-CLOSING ARGUMENTS! [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 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.
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 & ended on 3/4/26. Closing arguments on 3/5/26.
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 1-3 (2/23-2/25/26) & Trial Days 1-4 (2/26-3/3/26) reference post #305 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-16
3/4/26 Wednesday, Trial Day 5: State witnesses: Aaron Hannsz [who currently works for the Burke County Sheriff’s Office. Hannsz previously worked in the digital forensic unit of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office & was asked to analyze cellphone data related to Carwell’s case]. Lucas Grant [At the time of Carwell’s death, Grant worked for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office as an investigator in the homicide unit. He took over the case from Richmond County Investigator Ron Sylvester in June 2017. Jurors listened to an interview Grant did with Leon on June 9, 2017]. Dr. Maria Teresa Tersigni-Tarrant [The expert in forensic anthropology was asked by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in March of 2018 to assist with the analysis of human remains. She said the request for was a “trauma analysis.”].
The State rested their case.
Neither Leon Tripp nor Tanya Tripp testified Wednesday. Both defense teams rested without calling any additional witnesses. Closing arguments from both sides are scheduled for Thursday, 3/5/26.

 

[Niner]

Jury begins deliberations in trial of 2 parents over teen’s murder

Closing statements are set to begin on Day 9 in the murder trial of Leon and Tanya Tripp.

www.wrdw.com

 

[Niner]

Friday, March 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 7)-VERDICT WATCH! [for both] (@ 9:30am 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 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.
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 & ended 3/5/26 with closing arguments.
Jury began deliberations on 3/5/26. 3/5/26: Deliberated ~1 hour & 45 minutes.
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 1-3 (2/23-2/25/26) & Trial Days 1-5 (2/26-3/4/26) reference post #308 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-16
3/5/26 Thursday, Trial Day 6: Closing arguments by Assistant District Attorney Deshala Dixon. Leon's defense attorney Kara Stangl & Tanya's defense Attorney Arnold Ragas.
Shortly before 2:20pm, the jury got instructions from Judge Charles Lyons. At 3:15pm, the jury was escorted out of the courtroom to go to the jury room. The judge next gave instructions to the two alternates. The jury was then brought back in so the judge could give instructions on one of the other charges. Then the jury began deliberations around 3:45pm. At 5pm, court was officially done for the day & the jury is due back at 9:30am Friday, 3/6/26.