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

[Keytonmom]

Man ,what is going on with this case? The local news should be all over this case. Makes me feel like the trial has not started yet. Maybe picking jury or another delay

 

[Keytonmom]

No idea?? Letter to the Judge?

She probably wants to talk ,so she can try to get a lesser charge.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, July 17th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (for both) (@ 8:30am ET) - GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell (16) (Apr. 17, 2017, Augusta; found Mar. 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.
Trial set to begin on 7/14/25.
Judge Daniel J. Craig presiding. State attorney Deshala T. Dixon. Leon’s Defense attorneys Nathaniel L. Studelska & Laura M. Cobb. Tanya’s Defense attorney Arnold Ragas.
Court info from 2/2/18 thru 6/3/25 & Trial Day 1 (7/14/25) reference post #214 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-11
7/14/25 Docket update: Tanya: Defendant’s letter.
7/15/25 Tuesday, Trial Day [Jury Selection] Day 2: No info yet. Jury selection continues (??) on Wednesday, 7/16/25. Leon has a bond hearing on 8/7/25 @ 3pm.
7/16/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 3: No info yet. Trial continues on Thursday, 7/17/25.

 

[Keytonmom]

Has the trial really started ?

 

[Niner]

Has the trial really started ?

Good question!

 

[Niner]

This will be the last posting for trial until we know for sure WHAT is going on....

Friday, July 18th:
*Trial continues (Day 5)-LAST POSTING! (for both) (@ 8:30am ET) - GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell (16) (Apr. 17, 2017, Augusta; found Mar. 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.
Trial set to begin on 7/14/25.
Judge Daniel J. Craig presiding. State attorney Deshala T. Dixon. Leon’s Defense attorneys Nathaniel L. Studelska & Laura M. Cobb. Tanya’s Defense attorney Arnold Ragas.
Court info from 2/2/18 thru 7/14/25 & Trial Day 1 (7/14/25) reference post #214 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-mom-stepdad-charged-augusta-2.649996/page-11
7/15/25 Tuesday, Trial Day [Jury Selection] Day 2: No info yet. Jury selection continues (??) on Wednesday, 7/16/25. Leon has a bond hearing on 8/7/25 @ 3pm.
7/16/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 3: No info yet. Trial continues on Thursday, 7/17/25.
7/17/25 Thursday, Trial Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Friday, 7/18/25. LAST POSTING!

 

[Laura456]

"A little less talk and a lot more action!"

 

[Keytonmom]

Any updates?

 

[Niner]

Any updates?

nothing that I can find. Probably @vls12345 could look in the Court site - but I highly doubt it has been updated - she would have let us know otherwise!

 

[vls12345]

I don't see anything in local news reporting, nor in the court site listings.

Case Management Search | Augusta, GA - Official Website

www.augustaga.gov

So, the latest info listed for Leon is still this:

Found Deceased Post in thread 'GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell - Abducted & Murdered - Mom & Stepdad Charged - Augusta #2'

Jul 14, 2025

Can't find any local news articles today.

On the court site, I see this for Leon Tripp:


Not sure what a BHD Bond Hearing would be/mean in relation to the trial supposedly starting today?

Tayna Tripp is still showing the same thing as previously, a jury trial supposed to start today:


All from:

Case Management Search | Augusta, GA - Official Website

www.augustaga.gov

• vls12345

• 

And the latest info listed for Tanya is still this:

Found Deceased Post in thread 'GA - LaTania 'Janell' Carwell - Abducted & Murdered - Mom & Stepdad Charged - Augusta #2'

Jul 16, 2025

For TT, what would a "defendant's letter" be?



From:

Case Management Search | Augusta, GA - Official Website

www.augustaga.gov

• vls12345

• 

 

[Niner]

I goog BHD bond hearing - and came up with nothing for Georgia. So don't 'what' that could be. He has already been denied bond (3/25/24) when he was charged with murder. Also I see in my notes that on 12/22/24 prosecutors decided not to seek the DP.
So - I really don't know what the hold up is....

 

[Niner]

I take that back - I now searched under Richmond County.

In Richmond County, Georgia, a BHD bond hearing, or a Preliminary Hearing, is a court proceeding where a judge determines whether there is probable cause to believe a defendant committed the crime they are accused of. This hearing also assesses if the defendant is eligible for release on bond and, if so, sets the bond amount.
Key aspects of a BHD bond hearing in Richmond County:

Probable Cause Determination:
The judge evaluates whether there is enough evidence to believe the defendant committed the crime.

Bond Eligibility and Amount:
If probable cause is found, the judge decides if the defendant can be released on bond and sets the appropriate amount.
Factors Considered:
The judge considers factors such as the severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, ties to the community, and the risk of flight or danger to the community.
Bond Conditions:
The judge may impose conditions on the bond, such as a curfew or restrictions on contacting the victim.
Purpose of Bond:
Bond is intended to ensure the defendant's appearance in court for future proceedings, not as punishment.

Types of bonds in Georgia:

Secured bond:
The defendant or a third party provides financial security (cash or property) to guarantee their appearance in court.

Signature bond (Personal Recognizance):
The defendant is released based on their promise to appear, often with conditions attached.
Unsecured bond:
The defendant is released without immediate financial security, but they are liable for the full bond amount if they fail to appear.
Property bond:
The defendant uses real estate as collateral for their release.


link: in Richmond County georgia what is a BHD bond hearing - Google Search

 

[Laura456]

I take that back - I now searched under Richmond County.

In Richmond County, Georgia, a BHD bond hearing, or a Preliminary Hearing, is a court proceeding where a judge determines whether there is probable cause to believe a defendant committed the crime they are accused of. This hearing also assesses if the defendant is eligible for release on bond and, if so, sets the bond amount.
Key aspects of a BHD bond hearing in Richmond County:

Probable Cause Determination:
The judge evaluates whether there is enough evidence to believe the defendant committed the crime.

Bond Eligibility and Amount:
If probable cause is found, the judge decides if the defendant can be released on bond and sets the appropriate amount.
Factors Considered:
The judge considers factors such as the severity of the crime, the defendant's criminal history, ties to the community, and the risk of flight or danger to the community.
Bond Conditions:
The judge may impose conditions on the bond, such as a curfew or restrictions on contacting the victim.
Purpose of Bond:
Bond is intended to ensure the defendant's appearance in court for future proceedings, not as punishment.

Types of bonds in Georgia:

Secured bond:
The defendant or a third party provides financial security (cash or property) to guarantee their appearance in court.

Signature bond (Personal Recognizance):
The defendant is released based on their promise to appear, often with conditions attached.
Unsecured bond:
The defendant is released without immediate financial security, but they are liable for the full bond amount if they fail to appear.
Property bond:
The defendant uses real estate as collateral for their release.


link: in Richmond County georgia what is a BHD bond hearing - Google Search

I hope he's not one of the people's who is just released...

 

[Keytonmom]

Did they really have a trial ? It sure doesn't look like it .

 

[Niner]

Did they really have a trial ? It sure doesn't look like it .

It does seem like it - and I am not finding ANYTHING on this case when I search.

 

[Laura456]

I don't have a great feeling about this. Why is there no info?

 

[Keytonmom]

Any updates

 

[Niner]

Any updates

@vls12345 ??

 

[vls12345]

@vls12345 ??

Unfortunately, no. I don't see any updates.

Case Management Search | Augusta, GA - Official Website

www.augustaga.gov

 

[Niner]

Unfortunately, no. I don't see any updates.

Case Management Search | Augusta, GA - Official Website

www.augustaga.gov

I figured as much - as I know you are keeping your eye on this case! Thanks!