Senoia Man Allegedly Plots Troup County Deputy’s Murder

Troup County Government Center

Senoia, Ga. - According to reports out of Troup County Jail, an inmate has attempted to solicit the murder of a local deputy while in custody.

The inmate has been charged now with criminal attempt of murder. Authorities have reported that he was soliciting someone to kill the deputy. No other details have bene released at this time, however, as a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the law behind the criminal offense that the man has been accused of since it can be somewhat complicated - criminal attempt.

Criminal Attempt in Georgia

The Georgia Code defines criminal attempt in Georgia as:

A person commits the offense of criminal attempt when, with intent to commit a specific crime, he performs any act, which constitutes a substantial step towards commission of that crime. O.C.G.A. §16-4-1.

According to Georgia Courts, there are two elements to the crime of attempt.

1. A specific intent or purpose to bring a criminal result
2. A significant overt act in furtherance of that intent that proves that the Defendant went past the point of preparation and began preparing for the crime. 

In order to be convicted of criminal attempt, the State of Georgia must prove that the accused person is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This involves a showing that the defendant had the specific intent to commit the crime as well as took a substantial step to committing the crime.

The penalty if convicted for criminal attempt varies based on the crime that was being attempted.

If the attempted crime was one punishable by death or life in prison, the penalty will a prison sentence between one and thirty years.

If the attempted crime was a felony other than one punishable by death or life imprisonment, the penalty is a minimum one year in prison but no more than one-half of the maximum period of time for which he or she would have been sentenced if they had been convicted of the crime attempted. They could also be sentenced to one-half of the maximum fine if they had been found guilty of crime attempted, or both.

If the attempted crime was a misdemeanor, the penalty will be punished as a misdemeanor.

Practice Note

If you or a loved one is facing a criminal charge, call our offices now.