This column is part of a weekly round-up of notable grand jury indictments and court decisions, following through on cases reported by Savannah Morning News public safety reporter Drew Favakeh. If there are cases you’re curious about, email Drew at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.
The Judge’s Bench for State Court Judge Gregory Sapp inside the Chatham County Courthouse.
Woman indicted for arson of Capital Street house
On Dec. 30, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Tamekia Mumford with arson in the first degree for the Oct. 1 fire of a residence at 1834 Capital St.
Mumford was also indicted with four counts of aggravated assault for allegedly using a lighter to ignite the structure fire, according to the indictment.
An incident report revealed more about Mumford’s alleged motivations. When a Savannah Police Department (SPD) officer approached her at the scene, Mumford confessed to starting the fire, adding that she wanted “the house to burn” because of the “evil spirits” in the home.
More: ‘Evil spirits’: Woman hands over lighter then charged with arson in Capital Street house fire
At the time, the residence was divided into at least nine rooms and used as a boarding house. Those living in the single-story, single-family home, owned by a man named Arthur Baker, numbered 20 to 25 people.
Mumford has faced legal troubles before, according to court records.
On April 21, 2003, the Housing Authority of Savannah filed a complaint against Mumford, alleging that she was “holding and occupying” a residence on Brewer Street “at will or sufferance” and that the “owner has demanded possession of said building and premises but the same has been refused by said tenant.”
A week later, Mumford admitted that the allegations were true, “but I don’t bother anyone. I was trying to be very polite. She said some things to me, so that’s why I act like I did. They just pick at me.”
On July 2, 2003, Mumford sent another letter stating that no rent was due.
On July 8, 2003, a Chatham County State Court Judge ordered that Mumford abide by HAS rules and regulations, avoid confrontation with HAS employees and mail a letter of apology to a HAS employee. On Aug. 23, 2004, the case was marked as settled.
On Dec. 9, 2016, a plaintiff filed a complaint against Mumford in Chatham County Magistrate Court, alleging that Mumford owed $3,425 in rent.
On Jan. 4, 2017, Mumford was ordered to pay more than $3,500, and the case was disposed of.
An arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 13.
Defense attorney files motions on eve of murder trial
On Jan. 4, the defense attorney for Micky Hamilton filed a flurry of motions in the State of Georgia v. Micky Hamilton.
In July 2021, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Hamilton for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The charges were tied to the alleged Nov. 14, 2020, fatal shooting of a 40-year-old man at a motel on Ogeechee Road.
In the early morning of Nov. 14, 2020, SPD officers responded to the Deluxe Inn, 3680 Ogeechee Road, where they discovered Richard Vinson deceased in one of the guest rooms, according to an SPD press release. SPD arrested Hamilton at the scene, and booked him into the Chatham County jail.
“An investigation revealed the two men were involved in a verbal altercation when the shooting occurred,” the SPD press release stated.
The motions filed by Chatham County Assistant Public Defender Kaitlyn Walker include disallowing the jury to know Hamilton is a convicted felon prior to receiving evidence on the remaining counts, exclude unindicted criminal gang activity or other crimes and wrongdoings that Hamilton may have been involved in, and a motion to suppress statements Walker made to police officers. Walker also filed a motion to prohibit evidence and testimony that Hamilton may have used drugs that could have impacted his actions on the night of the incident.
Chatham County Superior Court Judge Tammy Stokes also filed a motion for the production of a Georgia Department of Corrections prisoner to testify in the trial.
Jury trial starts this week.
Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Chatham County Superior Court and Grand Jury Updates for Jan. 6, 2025