James Hellard

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Name:
Hellard, James Joseph

Date of Booking:
05/19/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Assault

Aggravated Assault-Strangulation

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On Monday, May 18th, 2026, at 1954 hours, I will be dispatched to [100 BLOCK] John Kay Rd. Taylorsville, GA 30178, for a fight in progress, later determined to be a domestic dispute.

On arrival, I observed a shirtless male who was identified as [VICTIM #1], and he made the comment, “You guys are here for me, I hit my brother”. I detained him based on the comment and because I was the only deputy on scene at the time.

Once another deputy arrived, I relocated inside and observed James Hellard, who had injuries on his head containing blood. I asked him to explain what had occurred, and he could not recall the incident. Metro EMS took him directly to the ambulance, treated his injuries, and transported him to Floyd Medical Center. Prior to being transported, James had made the comment to assisting deputies that once he came to his senses, he had [VICTIM #1] in a headlock.

I spoke to [WITNESS #1], the mother of both males, who explained that she had just arrived from Kentucky, where she had been with her sick brother. [VICTIM #1] arrived at the residence and asked [WITNESS #1] for the water bill. [WITNESS #1] did not like [VICTIM #1]’s tone, and they began to argue over personal issues. James then stepped between the two of them, and she left both males there while she went to her bedroom. Then, she heard yelling and observed both males wrestling on the floor, and observed blood on both of them.

I spoke to [VICTIM #1], who was in handcuffs. Before questioning him, I read him his Miranda rights, and he proceeded to speak to me. He began to communicate that he asked his mother for the water bill, and she began to argue with him. [WITNESS #1] left them alone, and suddenly, James grabbed a knife and pointed it at his throat. [VICTIM #1]’s girlfriend, [WITNESS #2], talked James into handing over the knife, which he did.

Once the knife was handed over, James still had a hold of [VICTIM #1]’s arm and would not let go. [VICTIM #1], in self-defense, punched James several times, and they both went to the ground, where James then put [VICTIM #1] in a choke hold, and again [VICTIM #1] punched him to prevent further injuries. Ultimately, both males were separated. [VICTIM #1] did not recall if he lost consciousness due to the adrenaline; he stated his throat was hurting from the pressure applied by his brother. [VICTIM #1] declined medical assistance.

[WITNESS #2] explained she heard yelling and went to the living room to see what was going on and observed James with a knife, which was being pressed on [VICTIM #1]’s throat. She told James to hand over the knife, and both males went to the ground, and she was not able to separate them due to their size.

Injuries to both James and [VICTIM #1], along with the knife, were taken by assisting deputies.

After speaking to every individual involved, along with the physical injuries I observed, I had established enough probable cause in order to secure two aggravated assault warrants on James (Family violence) based on the injuries and statement from [VICTIM #1], along with the statement from [WITNESS #2], the witness in this case.

This case was left pending James’s arrest as he was transported to an out-of-county hospital, and a case number was given to [VICTIM #1].

[End of Narrative]

All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.

Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

5/22/26

BOND SET FOR JAMES JOSEPH HELLARD

What this means: Following his arrest, James Joseph Hellard appeared before the court in Bartow County and was released on a bond of $12,000. A bond is a financial guarantee that the defendant will return for future court dates. Hellard is accused of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Aggravated Assault by Strangulation in Bartow Superior Court, case number SUW2026001287. The bond was secured through Bond James Bond, a bonding company located in Cartersville, Georgia. The court indicated the paperwork would be mailed. Hellard’s next step will be to appear for any scheduled court proceedings in Bartow Superior Court.

7/24/26

ACCUSATION FILED — 3 COUNTS CHARGED AGAINST JAMES JOSEPH HELLARD

What this means: On July 24, 2026, the Bartow County District Attorney’s office filed a formal accusation against James Joseph Hellard in Bartow Superior Court, case number SUCR2026001197, May Term 2026. An accusation is a charging document filed directly by the prosecutor — it does not require a grand jury — and formally sets out the crimes the defendant is alleged to have committed. District Attorney Erie J. Newton III of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit signed the accusation. Three counts were filed:

Count 1 charges James Joseph Hellard with Terroristic Threats under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-37(b), meaning he is accused of making threats intended to terrorize another person.

Count 2 charges Hellard with Simple Battery under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23, meaning he is accused of making intentional physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with another person.

Count 3 charges Hellard with Simple Assault under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-20, meaning he is accused of attempting to commit a violent injury against another person or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a violent injury.

8/31/26

PLEAS SCHEDULED FOR JAMES JOSEPH HELLARD

What this means: A hearing has been scheduled for August 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM in Bartow Superior Court for James Joseph Hellard to enter pleas to the charges filed against him. At a plea hearing, the defendant may plead guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere (no contest) to each count. The court will ensure the defendant understands the charges and the consequences of any plea before accepting it.

9/14/26

ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR JAMES JOSEPH HELLARD

What this means: An arraignment has been scheduled for September 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM in Bartow Superior Court. At an arraignment, James Joseph Hellard will be informed of the charges against him, advised of his rights, and asked to enter an initial plea. If he has not already entered a plea at the August 31 hearing, this is where that will occur.