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Name:
Knight, Novaj
Date of Booking:
12/27/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY – 1ST DEGREE – F
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F
POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES – F
POSSESSION OF PISTOL OR REVOLVER BY PERSON UNDER 18 YOA – 1ST OFFENSE – M
RECKLESS CONDUCT – M
ARMED ROBBERY – F
POSS FIREARM/KNIFE IN COMMITTING CRIME – F
POSSESSION OF PISTOL OR REVOLVER BY PERSON UNDER 18 YOA – 1ST OFFENSE – F
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 12/27/2025 while on uniformed patrol in the city of Savannah I was dispatched to a Shotspotter report once we arrived at 514 Pennsylvania Ave. I was instructed to take a report for an armed robbery. The victim was instructed to arrive at the stated address for us to take his report.
We arrived on scene at 5:39 PM and I contacted [WITNESS #1], suspect’s mother, and [VICTIM #1], victim. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that Mr. [VICTIM #1] was playing basketball near his home when her son, Novaj Knight, and a group of juveniles approached him, and Mr. Knight brandished a firearm and demanded that Mr. [VICTIM #1] give him his black dickie jacket. Mr. [VICTIM #1] complied and Mr. Knight got on to his bike and fled the scene along with the other juveniles. Mr. [VICTIM #1] approached Ms. [WITNESS #1] and informed her what happened and that’s when she called the police. Ms. [WITNESS #1] also made statements that her son, Mr. Knight, has been the source of the problems in the area. She also made a statement saying that he was on parole and had to notify his parole officer.
I interviewed Mr. [VICTIM #1] and he informed me that he was playing basketball at the court near his house and Mr. Knight came up to him and brandished a firearm and demanded his jacket and he complied. I asked if he could identify what Mr. Knight was wearing during the time of the incident and he told me he was wearing a black shirt, black pants, and had sandals on. Mr. [VICTIM #1] also said that Mr. Knight fled the scene on a bike.
Seargent responded, Lieutenant responded, detective responded and forensics responded. Reference CRN 251227063 for other events that are related to the incident.
After the detective’s investigation, I transported Mr. Knight CCDC where he booked and processed.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
12/27/25
ARREST OF NOVAJ KNIGHT
What this means: Novaj Knight was arrested by Savannah Police Department on charges including armed robbery, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, possession of pistol by person under 18, and other offenses. The arrest was made at 5:39 AM according to the first appearance waiver forms.
12/29/25
BOND DENIED IN RECORDER’S COURT – CASE SPCR26-00007-J4
What this means: Judge Crystal Denise Harmon in Chatham County Recorder’s Court denied bond for Novaj Knight, ruling he poses a significant risk of committing any felony while pending trial and pursuant to state law. The judge noted that Recorder’s Court is statutorily unable to consider bond for this defendant due to the serious nature of the charges.
12/29/25
FIRST APPEARANCE AND ATTORNEY REQUEST – CASE SPCR26-00007-J4
What this means: Novaj Knight appeared in Recorder’s Court for his first appearance hearing and requested a court-appointed attorney. The court scheduled his preliminary hearing for January 21, 2026, at 9:00 AM and set bond at $800 (though bond was denied in a separate order). Knight chose to request a public defender rather than hire his own attorney.
1/2/26
BOND DENIED IN RECORDER’S COURT – CASE SPCR26-00229-J4
What this means: In the second case, Judge Crystal Denise Harmon again denied bond for Novaj Knight on December 29, 2025, for the same reasons – he poses a significant risk of committing felonies while awaiting trial. This bond order was signed and processed on January 2, 2026.
1/2/26
FIRST APPEARANCE – CASE SPCR26-00229-J4
What this means: Novaj Knight had his first appearance in the second case, also requesting a court-appointed attorney. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for January 21, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Courtroom 1C of the Chatham County Courthouse.
1/21/26
CASE BOUND UP TO SUPERIOR COURT – CASE SPCR26-00007-J4
What this means: After a preliminary hearing, Recorder’s Court found probable cause and sent Novaj Knight’s first case up to Superior Court in Chatham County. This is standard procedure for felony cases, as Recorder’s Court can only handle preliminary matters for serious felonies.
1/21/26
CASE BOUND UP TO SUPERIOR COURT – CASE SPCR26-00229-J4
What this means: The second case was also bound over to Superior Court after the preliminary hearing found probable cause. Both cases will now be handled in the higher court, which has jurisdiction over felony prosecutions.
2/3/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS CASE – CASE SPCR26-00007-J4
What this means: James Barrow, an Assistant Public Defender, officially entered his appearance as defense counsel for Novaj Knight in the first case. This means Knight now has legal representation for the armed robbery and related charges.
2/3/26
DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS CASE – CASE SPCR26-00229-J4
What this means: James Barrow also entered his appearance as defense counsel in the second case involving the aggravated assault charges. Knight now has the same public defender representing him in both Superior Court cases.
3/11/26
GRAND JURY INDICTMENT – CASE SPCR26-00007-J4
What this means: A Chatham County grand jury formally indicted Novaj Knight on three felony counts: armed robbery, possession of firearm during commission of a felony, and possession of handgun by person under 18 years. All charges stem from incidents on December 27, 2025. The indictment means the grand jury found probable cause that Knight committed these crimes.
3/11/26
GRAND JURY INDICTMENT – CASE SPCR26-00229-J4
What this means: The grand jury indicted Novaj Knight on eight additional counts in the second case: five counts of aggravated assault (four from December 27, 2025, and one from December 24, 2025), possession of firearm during commission of a felony, possession of handgun by person under 18, and criminal damage to property in the first degree. This brings the total number of charges against Knight to 11 felony counts across both cases.
03/12/26
PROSECUTOR ENTERS CASE
What this means: Assistant District Attorney Renorda Herring officially entered her appearance as the prosecutor in Novaj Knight’s case SPCR26-00229-J4. She is with the Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office and will be handling the prosecution of the charges against Knight.
03/12/26
CHARGE DISMISSED BY PROSECUTOR
What this means: The District Attorney’s Office dismissed the charge of Reckless Conduct (Misdemeanor) against Novaj Knight in case SPCR26-00229-J4. The prosecutor decided not to present this charge to the grand jury for indictment, meaning Knight will no longer face this particular charge.
03/13/26
DEFENSE REQUESTS FAST-TRACK DISCOVERY
What this means: Novaj Knight elected to proceed under Georgia law O.C.G.A. § 17-16-1 et seq, which allows defendants to get faster access to evidence in their cases. By choosing this option, Knight can get discovery materials more quickly but gives up some procedural protections.
03/13/26
ATTORNEY SUBSTITUTION
What this means: Katherine M. Kelly replaced James Barrow as Novaj Knight’s public defender. Kelly is also an Assistant Public Defender in Chatham County. The substitution was necessary due to unspecified circumstances, and Kelly will now represent Knight in both cases SPCR26-00007-J4 and SPCR26-00229-J4.
03/13/26
DEFENSE REQUESTS EVIDENCE DISCOVERY
What this means: Katherine Kelly filed a motion asking the court to order the prosecution to provide all evidence related to Novaj Knight’s case. This includes police reports, witness statements, scientific test results, fingerprint documents, and any other materials the state plans to use at trial or that might help Knight’s defense.
03/13/26
DEFENSE RESERVES RIGHT FOR FUTURE MOTIONS
What this means: Katherine Kelly filed a motion asking the court to allow Novaj Knight to file additional legal motions later if needed. The defense argues that because the case is complex and discovery is ongoing, they may need to file more motions once they review all the evidence from the prosecution.
06/09/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED
What this means: Novaj Knight is scheduled to appear for arraignment on June 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 4A before Judge John E. Morse Jr. At this hearing, Knight will formally enter his plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest) to the charges in the indictments. This will be his first opportunity to respond to the formal charges since the grand jury indicted him.
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