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Name:
Benton, Robert David
Date of Booking:
06/19/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Simple Battery-Family Violence
Aggravated Stalking
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 Friday, June 19th, 2026, at approximately 0013 hours, I responded to [100 BLOCK] North Erwin Street (Wind Wood Apartments) in reference to a domestic disturbance in progress.
Upon arrival, contact was made with a male subject matching the description given by the caller. The male subject, Robert Benton, was seen leaving the apartment complex in the direction of Erwin Street.
I informed Mr. Benton of why we were out with him, and he stated he was just trying to go home. Mr. Benton was asked what had occurred, to which he stated he knocked on the door and was going to have a beverage when Victim came around the corner and tried to leave. Mr. Benton stated he was cornered and not allowed to leave the residence. Mr. Benton would then state he was just there to have a conversation and felt like he was being disrespected and bucked at Victim. Mr. Benton’s version of events would change each time he began to explain.
I relocated to the apartment where I met with Victim, who stated Mr. Benton continuously sent her text messages asking where she was, and he was about to “pull up”. Victim showed the messages, and it was observed that Mr. Benton did send multiple messages asking about Victim’s whereabouts and that he was on the way. Victim stated Mr. Benton came inside the apartment, and Mr. Benton asked her to leave, to which she replied no. Mr. Benton became upset and became physical with Victim at this time, and would not let her go. Victim stated that a friend, witness, separated them and escorted Mr. Benton out of the apartment. Officers did observe Victim’s ears to be red, and no other injuries were observed.
Witness stated he was sitting on the couch when Mr. Benton knocked on the door and entered the residence. Witness stated Mr. Benton was civil at first and even offered a beverage to him. Witness stated Mr. Benton began to ask Victim to leave with him, and when she replied no, Mr. Benton became upset and became physical with Victim. Witness stated he grabbed Mr. Benton by the hair and escorted him out of the apartment, and Mr. Benton left at this time.
I contacted the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office due to having prior knowledge of the subjects, and it was confirmed that Mr. Benton had an active stay-away order in place. A copy of the order was attached to the report.
Mr. Benton was placed under arrest at this time with handcuffs behind the back, double locked, and checked for proper fit. Mr. Benton was searched incident to arrest, yielding no contraband. Mr. Benton was placed in the rear seat of my issued patrol vehicle, where it was searched before shift and before and after each transport, yielding no contraband. Mr. Benton was transported to the Bartow County Adult Detention Center, where he was released to jail staff.
Warrants were obtained for Aggravated Stalking and Simple Battery FVA.
[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:
6/26/26
MOTION FOR BOND FILED — ROBERT DAVID BENTON
What this means: Robert David Benton’s attorney, Jana Willingham of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s office, filed a formal request asking the Bartow County Superior Court to set a bond so Benton could be released from jail while his case is pending. The motion argues that Benton poses no significant risk of intimidating witnesses or obstructing justice. As of the filing date, no bond had been set.
6/26/26
RULE NISI ISSUED — BOND HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 6/30/26
What this means: After the Motion for Bond was filed, the Bartow County Superior Court issued a Rule Nisi — a court order directing all parties to appear and show cause why the bond motion should not be granted. The hearing was scheduled for June 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Bartow County Courthouse, Courtroom D. This is a standard procedural step that sets a date for the court to formally consider the bond request.
6/30/26
BOND DENIED — ROBERT DAVID BENTON ORDERED TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY
What this means: Following the bond hearing on June 30, 2026, Presiding Judge D. Scott Smith of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Superior Court denied bond for Robert David Benton. The court found that Benton poses a significant threat or danger to any person, to the community, or to property in the community. As a result, Benton will remain held in the Bartow County Jail without bond while his case moves forward.
8/4/26
PRELIMINARY MOTION TO SUPPRESS FILED — ROBERT DAVID BENTON
What this means: Defense attorney Stewart Bratcher filed a Motion to Suppress in Bartow County Superior Court under case number SUCR2026001206, asking the court to throw out any evidence that law enforcement allegedly obtained illegally during the investigation of Robert David Benton’s case. This includes evidence gathered through any unlawful detention, search, or seizure, as well as any statements Benton may have made if he was not properly read his Miranda rights. The defense is also requesting a separate hearing before trial to determine whether any statements Benton made can be used against him in court. Bratcher noted that the defense has not yet received full discovery — meaning all the evidence the State intends to use — and is asking the court for the opportunity to add more specifics to this motion once that material is provided.
8/4/26
DEFENSE FILES DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY — ROBERT DAVID BENTON
What this means: Also on this date, Robert David Benton’s defense team formally requested that the State of Georgia turn over all evidence in its possession related to this case. This is a standard legal step known as a discovery demand, which requires prosecutors to share things like police reports, witness statements, lab results, and any other materials they plan to use at trial. Receiving this information allows the defense to prepare its case.
8/4/26
NEW DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS CASE — ROBERT DAVID BENTON PLEADS NOT GUILTY
What this means: Attorney Stewart Bratcher of Bratcher Martin LLP in Rome, Georgia, filed a formal notice with the Bartow County Superior Court that he is now the attorney of record representing Robert David Benton in case number SUCR2026001206. At the same time, Benton waived his right to a formal arraignment hearing — meaning he skipped the court appearance where charges are read aloud — and entered a plea of Not Guilty. This is a common and routine step that moves the case forward without requiring an in-person arraignment proceeding.