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Name:
Brown, Reginald Java
Date of Booking:
12/27/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – F
POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES – 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 I was conducting routine patrol in my police marked cruiser, in Savannah GA, while in police uniform. At approximately 1443 hours, myself and Officer Martinez were dispatched to [800 BLOCK] Carver St Savannah, GA 31415, in reference to a cutting. The call was made from the victim, Ms. [VICTIM #1] (black female, dark hair, 36 years old).
I arrived on scene at approximately 1452 hours and dispatch had updated notes in NCIC/GCIC while we were en route that the suspect (Reginald Brown) had fled the scene and threw a knife out of the car window somewhere on W Gwinnett St. When Officer Martinez and I arrived, we secured the scene and made sure no other suspects were located near the area and I began setting up crime scene tape to establish a perimeter, as well as started a crime scene log.
Once the crime scene was secured, I began speaking with the surrounding neighbors at [800 BLOCK], [800 BLOCK], [800 BLOCK] and [800 BLOCK] Carver St to see if anyone witnessed the incident, as well as see if any video was recorded at the time from doorbell and/or security cameras along the residences. No one reported witnessing the incident, however, I spoke with the resident [REDACTED] at [800 BLOCK] Carver St Savannah, GA 31415. Ms. [REDACTED] allowed me to review her doorbell camera footage from her cell phone, and the incident from the street and porch view was visible and recorded. I created a community request link in axon and sent Ms. [REDACTED] the link with information on how to submit the video for evidence.
At approximately 1730 hours, Ms. [VICTIM #1] arrived back at the scene, and I delayed her from entering the house until the crime scene detectives allowed her access. I continued the chain of custody log until Officer Martinez and I were relieved from the scene. As of the time of writing this report, no video has been submitted from the resident for review.
[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:
1/2/26
FIRST APPEARANCE
What this means: Reginald Java Brown appeared before Judge Crystal Denise Harmon in Chatham County Recorder’s Court for his first court appearance after being arrested on 12/27/25. This is typically when defendants are informed of the charges against them and advised of their rights. Brown is accused of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
1/2/26
BOND DENIED
What this means: Judge Crystal Denise Harmon denied bond for Reginald Java Brown in case RCCR26-00131. The court determined that Brown poses a significant risk of danger or threat to persons, the community, or property. This means Brown must remain in custody at the Chatham County Detention Center while his case proceeds through the court system.
2/4/26
TRANSPORT ORDER ISSUED FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING
What this means: Judge Crystal Denise Harmon ordered the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office to transport Reginald Java Brown from the detention center to the Coleman Courthouse for a preliminary hearing scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Since Brown was denied bond, he needs official transport for all court appearances. Assistant District Attorney Sarah Moorhead was copied on this order.
2/4/26
BOUND OVER TO SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: After the preliminary hearing, Reginald Java Brown’s case was bound over to Superior Court. This means the Recorder’s Court judge found probable cause that felonies were committed and that Brown may have committed them. His case will now move to the higher court that handles felony cases, where more serious proceedings like grand jury indictment and potential trial would take place.
2/10/26
ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE
What this means: Martin G. Hilliard filed a notice of appearance to represent Reginald Java Brown in Superior Court case SPCR26-00356-J1. This formally establishes Hilliard as Brown’s defense attorney for the aggravated assault and knife possession charges. The notice was served on District Attorney Shalena Cook-Jones.
2/10/26
PETITION FOR BOND RECONSIDERATION FILED
What this means: Attorney Martin G. Hilliard filed a petition asking the Superior Court to set bond for Reginald Java Brown in a reasonable amount. The petition notes that Brown is charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife during commission of a felony and has been held in the Chatham County jail since December 27, 2025, without any bond previously being set.
2/10/26
RULE NISI ISSUED FOR BOND HEARING
What this means: The court issued a rule nisi scheduling a bond hearing for February 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Benjamin Karpf in Chatham County Superior Court. This means the state must appear and show cause why Reginald Java Brown’s request for bond should not be granted. A rule nisi is a court order that will become absolute unless the opposing party shows cause why it should not.
2/17/26
BOND HEARING SCHEDULED
What this means: A bond hearing for Reginald Java Brown was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. before Judge Benjamin W. Karpf in case SPCR26-00356-J1. The court docket shows that Assistant District Attorney Richard Harrison represents the state, and indicates that counsel requested the matter be held to a later docket or continued due to a conflict.
3/18/26
INDICTMENT FILED
What this means: A Chatham County grand jury formally indicted Reginald Java Brown on two felony counts. Count 1 charges aggravated assault for allegedly making an assault on a person with a knife on or about December 27, 2025. Count 2 charges possession of a knife during commission of a felony for allegedly having a knife with a three-inch blade during the commission of the aggravated assault. The indictment was signed by District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones and moves the case to Superior Court with case number SPCR26-00356-J1.
3/18/26
SECOND PETITION FOR BOND RECONSIDERATION FILED
What this means: Attorney Martin G. Hilliard filed another petition for reconsideration of bond for Reginald Java Brown, again requesting the Superior Court set bond in a reasonable amount. Brown remained in custody since December 27, 2025, with no bond previously set for the aggravated assault and knife possession charges.
3/18/26
RULE NISI ISSUED FOR HEARING
What this means: The court issued a rule nisi requiring the state to appear before Judge Benjamin Karpf on March 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. to show cause why Reginald Java Brown’s motion for bond should not be granted.
3/23/26
ORDER ON SCHEDULING AND DISCOVERY ENTERED
What this means: Judge Benjamin W. Karpf entered a standing order in Reginald Java Brown’s case establishing the procedures for discovery and scheduling. The order references standard discovery rules for criminal cases and criminal pretrial scheduling orders, both dated May 22, 2025. This sets the framework for how evidence will be shared between the prosecution and defense as the case moves forward.
3/23/26
ATTORNEY FILES CONFLICT LETTER
What this means: Martin G. Hilliard filed a letter with the court explaining that he has a scheduling conflict for March 24, 2026. He has eight bond hearings scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. in Chatham County, plus a federal court matter at 9:30 a.m. Hilliard requested that cases set for 9:00 a.m. be held until a later docket or continued to another date, citing court rules about case priority and his role as lead counsel.
5/14/26
STATE FILES DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE AND DEMANDS RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY — STATE OF GEORGIA v. REGINALD JAVA BROWN
What this means: The Chatham County District Attorney’s Office, represented by prosecutor Richard Harrison (Georgia Bar No. 769818), formally handed over its evidence to Reginald Java Brown and his defense team in case SPCR26-00356-J1. This is called a discovery disclosure — it’s the process where the prosecution shares what it has so the defense can prepare. Items provided included a copy of the indictment or accusation, a list of witnesses the State currently knows about, police reports, and a written plea offer. The State also put Reginald Java Brown on notice that its open file policy allows defense counsel to schedule an appointment to review all discoverable materials at the District Attorney’s Office. Alongside the disclosure, the State formally demanded that Reginald Java Brown’s defense team share any alibi-related information in return — meaning if the defense plans to argue Brown was somewhere else when the alleged offense occurred, the State is requiring advance notice of that. The document was filed in open court on May 14, 2026.
5/14/26
ORDER ALLOWING WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL — MARTIN G. HILLIARD REMOVED, PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED
What this means: Judge Benjamin W. Karpf of the Chatham County Superior Court, Eastern Judicial Circuit, signed an order allowing attorney Martin G. Hilliard to withdraw from representing Reginald Java Brown in case SPCR26-00356-J1. The court granted the withdrawal on three grounds: Hilliard filed a motion to withdraw, Reginald Java Brown failed to meet his financial obligation to his attorney, and Brown was notified of the withdrawal and consented to it. Judge Karpf also handwrote a fourth ground directly on the order, noting that the Public Defender’s Office was being appointed to replace Hilliard as counsel for Reginald Java Brown going forward.
5/21/26
PUBLIC DEFENDER ENTERS APPEARANCE FOR REGINALD JAVA BROWN
What this means: Attorney Jolee Battles of the Public Defender’s Office, Eastern Judicial Circuit (Georgia Bar No. 857010), filed a formal Entry of Appearance in Chatham County Superior Court, officially notifying the court and all parties that she is now representing Reginald Java Brown in case SPCR26-00356-J1. This filing was e-filed on May 21, 2026, and a copy was served on the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office.
5/21/26
REGINALD JAVA BROWN ELECTS TO PROCEED UNDER GEORGIA’S DISCOVERY STATUTE
What this means: Through his new attorney Jolee Battles, Reginald Java Brown filed a formal election to participate in the reciprocal discovery process under O.C.G.A. § 17-16-1 et seq. in case SPCR26-00356-J1. This means Brown is opting into Georgia’s structured evidence-sharing framework, which gives the defense broader access to the State’s evidence but also requires the defense to share certain materials with the prosecution in return. This filing was e-filed on May 21, 2026, and hand-delivered to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office the same day.
6/1/26
STATE FILES DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE AND DEMAND FOR RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY — REGINALD JAVA BROWN
What this means: The Chatham County District Attorney’s Office filed an updated discovery disclosure in case SPCR26-00356-J1 on June 1, 2026, providing Reginald Java Brown’s defense counsel with evidence and materials the State intends to use. A Certificate of Service was also filed, confirming that the disclosure was properly delivered to the defense. This is a routine part of the discovery process where the prosecution continues to share its case materials with the defense as the case moves forward.
6/26/26
TRIAL DOCKET CALL SCHEDULED FOR REGINALD JAVA BROWN
What this means: A Trial Docket Call has been scheduled for 9:30 AM on June 26, 2026, in Chatham County Superior Court for case SPCR26-00356-J1. A docket call is a court session where the judge checks the status of cases scheduled for trial and confirms whether they are ready to proceed. This is typically one of the final steps before a trial date is set or confirmed.
8/5/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR FARETTA HEARING — REGINALD JAVA BROWN SEEKS TO REPRESENT HIMSELF
What this means: Attorney Jolee Battles of the Public Defender’s Office filed a Motion for a Faretta Hearing on August 5, 2026, in Chatham County Superior Court for case SPCR26-00356-J1. The motion states that Reginald Java Brown has told his attorney that he does not want to be represented by counsel and wishes to proceed pro se — meaning he wants to represent himself in court. A Faretta Hearing is a proceeding required by law before a judge can allow a defendant to give up his right to an attorney. At that hearing, the judge will inform Reginald Java Brown of his legal rights and explain the risks of self-representation to make sure any decision to proceed without a lawyer is made knowingly and voluntarily.
9/18/26
PRETRIAL HEARING AND ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED — REGINALD JAVA BROWN
What this means: A Pretrial Hearing and Arraignment has been scheduled for 10:30 AM on September 18, 2026, in Chatham County Superior Court for case SPCR26-00356-J1. At this hearing, Reginald Java Brown will be formally asked to enter a plea to the charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies. The court will also address any outstanding pretrial motions, confirm that discovery is complete, and determine whether the case is ready to proceed to trial or if a plea agreement will be reached.
10/5/26
JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED — REGINALD JAVA BROWN
What this means: A jury trial has been scheduled for 9:00 AM on October 5, 2026, in Chatham County Superior Court for case SPCR26-00356-J1 involving Reginald Java Brown. At this trial, a jury will hear evidence on the charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies and will determine whether Reginald Java Brown is guilty or not guilty of those charges.