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Name:
Walker, Darrell Lamont
Date of Booking:
03/16/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F
BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE – M
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-3RD DEGREE – M
Family Violence Act – M
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 16 March 2026 at 0227 hrs, I responded to a Domestic Disturbance at 1 Resort Dr. room [REDACTED].
Upon arriving at the scene, I spoke with Mr. DARRELL WALKER, in the lobby, who informed me of what occurred in room [REDACTED]. He was sitting in the lobby with hotel staff. It was difficult to get him to tell me the story about what happened. Some of his statements did not make sense and he appeared to be going through a mental episode. He did state he did have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It did take a few minutes to get him to focus on what occurred. He did state he took DH3, sleep medication, and alcohol.
From his account, he was sleeping in the room. His girlfriend, identified as Ms. [VICTIM #1], woke him up. DARRELL went on to say she started getting onto him about nonsense and topics that were not related to their current situation. He decided to leave and as he went to the door, [VICTIM #1] blocked the door. He then moved her out of his way by easing her to the right so he could exit. He described the move as a light assist. He then left and waited in the lobby with the hotel staff for police to arrive.
I then spoke with [VICTIM #1] in room [REDACTED]. She went to explain that DARRELL came into the room and went to bed. After some time, he started to stir and was waking up. She was hungry and asked him to go get some tacos. She stated he said OK. Then a few minutes passed and she asked him again but this time a little sterner. This is when he started to act up, became argumentative and was getting mad. He then started to get ready to leave. She did try to stop him from leaving, but she wanted to talk to him and one of the topics was co-parenting the baby, [REDACTED] (age 0).
He continued to leave and they bumped into each other when he was leaving and her trying to stop him. A light innocent bump. This is when he turned and pushed her down to the floor. She was in the corner of the door and bathroom door. She stated he held her down with one hand around her neck while her back was up against the wall and she was on the floor. She stated DARRELL was applying pressure to her neck and she was having trouble breathing. She also started to get nauseous. She did fight back and tried to get free. Once free of the hand hold, she was able to scream. This is when DARRELL left.
I then spoke with [REDACTED] (age 5) who stated he saw DARRELL push his mother [VICTIM #1] down to the floor. When this happened, he sat on the bed and observed the incident.
[VICTIM #1] said this has happened several times in the past. Also, DARRELL has schizophrenia and he only has these episodes when he uses drugs.
Supervisor was notified and responded to the scene.
Family Violence Detectives notified and responded to the scene. He spoke with [VICTIM #1] and attempted to speak with DARRELL who did not speak.
Mr. Walker was arrested for this incident for:
OCGA 16-5-21 – Aggravated Assault (DVA)for when he put his hand around [VICTIM #1]’s neck using pressure to impede her normal breathing or circulation of blood
OCGA 16-5-23.1 – Battery (DVA) for when he intentionally pushed and held her down which resulted in bruising and red marks around her neck.
OCGA 16-5-70 – Cruelty to Children in the third degree for intentionally having knowledge [REDACTED] (age 5) is present and saw/witnesses the commission of a forcible felony, battery, or family violence battery when DARRELL pushes [VICTIM #1] down and strangles her.
OCGA 19-13-1 – Family Violence Act for DARRELL and [VICTIM #1] being the parents of [REDACTED] and a Felony (Aggravated Assault) occurred to include Battery.
DARRELL was placed in handcuffs, double locked, and was placed in my Patrol Vehicle.
DARRELL was taken to Memorial Medical Center for a Medical Clearance. Once the clearance was issued, DARRELL was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center (CCDC). He was then booked into CCDC.
[VICTIM #1] was provided with a Case Report Number and informed about Safe Shelter.
[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:
3/16/26
DARRELL LAMONT WALKER ARRESTED AND BOOKED — MULTIPLE CHARGES
What this means: Darrell Lamont Walker was arrested on March 16, 2026, at 4:57 AM and booked into custody in Chatham County under CRN 260316014. Walker is accused of four offenses: Aggravated Assault (Family Violence), a felony; Battery (Family Violence), a misdemeanor; Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor; and a Family Violence Act violation, a misdemeanor. At his first appearance, Walker requested a court-appointed attorney and signed an indigency questionnaire indicating he could not afford to hire one on his own.
3/18/26
BOND DENIED — DARRELL LAMONT WALKER HELD WITHOUT BOND
What this means: On March 18, 2026, at 1:30 PM, Judge Crystal Denise Harmon of the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County ordered that Darrell Lamont Walker be held without bond. The judge determined that releasing Walker posed a significant risk to the safety of the alleged victim or others in the community. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 1B at the Chatham County Courthouse.
4/13/26
FELONY DOCKET HEARING HELD — OFFICER REQUIRED
What this means: On April 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM, Darrell Lamont Walker’s case appeared on the felony docket in Courtroom 1B of the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County. This is a scheduled court appearance where the judge reviews the status of felony cases to determine next steps — such as whether the case should be forwarded to the Superior Court for grand jury consideration. A law enforcement officer was required to be present at this hearing.
4/13/26
BOND GRANTED — DARRELL LAMONT WALKER RELEASED ON $4,800 BOND
What this means: On April 13, 2026, Judge Brian Joseph Huffman, Jr., Chief Judge of the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County, granted Darrell Lamont Walker a release on a $4,800 bond. As a condition of release, Walker was required to enroll in a certified Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) within 14 days and provide proof of compliance to the court by May 25, 2026. Walker was also ordered to have no violent contact and no contact of any kind — directly or indirectly, including by phone, letters, social media, or through third parties — with the alleged victim or any member of the victim’s family or household. Additional conditions prohibited Walker from possessing firearms or other dangerous weapons, consuming alcohol or narcotics, associating with anyone who uses or possesses illegal drugs, and being present in any residence or vehicle where illegal drugs are present. Walker was also prohibited from entering any establishment that serves or sells alcohol, such as bars or liquor stores.
6/1/26
ACCUSATION AND SUBPOENA ISSUED — DARRELL LAMONT WALKER SUMMONED TO RECORDER’S COURT
What this means: On June 1, 2026, the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County issued an Accusation and Subpoena under Case No. RCCR26-06386, formally commanding Darrell Lamont Walker to appear before the Honorable Brian Joseph Huffman, Jr., Chief Judge of the Recorder’s Court, at 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, Georgia, in Courtroom 1B (Coleman Courthouse) at 2:00 PM. An accusation is a formal charging document — it puts Walker on official notice of the charges he is facing and requires his appearance in court. Failure to appear could result in additional legal consequences.
6/2/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE — JACOB DEFAZIO APPOINTED FOR DARRELL LAMONT WALKER
What this means: On June 2, 2026, attorney Jacob DeFazio of the Chatham County Office of the Public Defender filed an Entry of Appearance in the Superior Court of Chatham County, formally entering as counsel for Darrell Lamont Walker in Case No. SPCR26-01084-J4. This means DeFazio is now the official attorney of record representing Walker going forward in Superior Court proceedings. A copy was served to the Office of the District Attorney, Eastern Judicial Circuit, at the Chatham County Courthouse.
6/15/26
BOND HEARING SCHEDULED — DARRELL LAMONT WALKER
What this means: On June 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM, a bond hearing was scheduled for Darrell Lamont Walker in Chatham County Recorder’s Court. At a bond hearing, the judge reviews whether the defendant should remain in custody, be released on bond, or be released on his own recognizance (a promise to return to court). The hearing allows the defendant and his attorney to present arguments about why he should be released and what conditions would ensure his return to court and public safety.
7/8/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 3 COUNTS FILED AGAINST DARRELL LAMONT WALKER
What this means: On July 8, 2026, a Chatham County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment against Darrell Lamont Walker in the Superior Court of Chatham County, Case No. SPCR26-01084-J4, during the June Term 2026. District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones and Assistant District Attorney Patrick Sancomb represent the State. The indictment charges Walker with three counts stemming from an incident alleged to have occurred on March 16, 2026.
Count 1 charges Darrell Lamont Walker with Aggravated Assault under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21. Walker is accused of making an assault upon the alleged victim using his hands as an instrument, allegedly strangling the alleged victim by placing his hands around her neck and applying pressure to impede normal breathing.
Count 2 charges Darrell Lamont Walker with Battery — Family Violence under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1(f)(2). Walker is accused of intentionally causing visible bodily harm — specifically bruising and red marks around the neck — to the alleged victim, who shares a child with Walker. The alleged act involved pushing the alleged victim to the ground and wrapping his hands around her neck and applying pressure.
Count 3 charges Darrell Lamont Walker with Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-70(d). Walker is accused of intentionally allowing a child under the age of 18 to witness the commission of a family violence battery upon the alleged victim.
A grand jury indictment means that a panel of citizens reviewed the State’s evidence and found probable cause — a reasonable basis — to believe that the charges against Walker are supported by evidence and that the case should proceed to Superior Court. Walker is presumed innocent of all charges.
7/9/26
DEFENSE FILES ELECTION TO PROCEED UNDER FORMAL DISCOVERY — DARRELL LAMONT WALKER
What this means: Also on July 9, 2026, defense attorney Jacob DeFazio filed a separate document in the Superior Court of Chatham County formally electing to proceed under Georgia’s statutory discovery process, O.C.G.A. § 17-16-1 et seq. By filing this election, the defense is invoking its right to receive evidence, witness lists, and other materials from the State under Georgia’s formal discovery rules. This is a standard procedural step in felony cases that ensures both sides exchange relevant information before trial.
7/9/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION TO RESERVE RIGHT TO FILE ADDITIONAL MOTIONS — DARRELL LAMONT WALKER
What this means: On July 9, 2026, defense attorney Jacob DeFazio filed a motion in the Superior Court of Chatham County asking the court to preserve Darrell Lamont Walker’s right to file additional motions as the case progresses. The motion notes that informal discovery — the process by which the defense receives evidence from the State — is ongoing and incomplete, and that the State may still provide additional materials. Because of the complexity of the charges, DeFazio argues that Walker may need to file further motions once all materials have been reviewed. The motion also requests that all hearings be taken down and recorded by a certified court reporter.
9/11/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED — DARRELL LAMONT WALKER
What this means: An arraignment has been scheduled for Darrell Lamont Walker on September 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Superior Court of Chatham County, Case No. SPCR26-01084-J4. An arraignment is a formal court proceeding where the defendant is officially informed of the charges in the indictment and is asked to enter a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is a standard step that follows an indictment in a felony case.