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Name:
Chism, Michael Edward
Date of Booking:
03/10/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
ROBBERY
THEFT BY TAKING – FELONY
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
THEFT BY TAKING – MISDEMEANOR
THEFT BY TAKING – MISDEMEANOR
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY USE OF THREATS OR VIOLENCE – FELONY
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 March 5, 2026, I responded to [100 BLOCK] Middleton Rd. in reference to a reported domestic disturbance. The call was initially received from a third-party caller who believed that a physical altercation had occurred at the residence. It was later determined that the victim, identified as Mr. [VICTIM #1], had gone to a nearby neighbor’s residence and requested ECSO.
Upon arrival, I made contact with Mr. [VICTIM #1], who appeared disoriented but was conscious and able to provide a brief statement regarding the incident. I immediately observed multiple visible injuries on Mr. [VICTIM #1], as well as blood present on his clothing, on the living room floor, and at the end of a bed where his mother, identified as Ms. [WITNESS #1], was laying.
Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s right eye appeared swollen and bloodshot. I also observed visible red and dark color bruising on multiple areas of his face and head. Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s left eye was swollen with dark discoloration consistent with bruising on his forehead and left cheekbone. Additionally, Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s left ear lobe appeared to have been split and was actively bleeding at the time of my observation.
While inside the residence, I also observed other signs of a disturbance in the living room area. A television appeared to be broken and multiple glass figurines were observed shattered on the living room floor.
Mr. [VICTIM #1] advised that he is unsure what started the fight and that prior to the incident he had been in the living room watching television with his mother, Ms. [WITNESS #1], and his nephew, identified as Mr. Michael Chism. Mr. [VICTIM #1] stated that his dog began barking and started playing with him.
At that time, Mr. Chism began physically assaulting him by punching him. Mr. [VICTIM #1] further stated that he does not recall the events that occurred immediately afterward. He advised that when he regained awareness, he was laying on the living room floor.
I also made contact with Ms. [WITNESS #1], who stated she witnessed the altercation. Ms. [WITNESS #1] advised that she previously suffered a stroke and is unable to move independently, and therefore remains mostly bedridden. Her bed is located in the living room area of the residence.
Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that when the dog began barking that’s when [VICTIM #1] started playing with the dog, when Mr. Chism suddenly attacked Mr. [VICTIM #1] without provocation. Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated she attempted to intervene by yelling for Michael to stop, but due to her physical condition, she was unable to physically intervene.
Ms. [WITNESS #1] further stated that following the incident, Mr. Chism took her cell phone and Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s cell phone prior to leaving the residence. She also informed that Mr. Chism removed Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s wallet from his pocket and took approximately $40 in cash that had been on Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s person.
Mr. Chism was not present at the residence upon my arrival. During the course of the investigation, it was also discovered that while Mr. [VICTIM #1] was on the floor, Mr. Chism took the keys to Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s vehicle and left the scene. The vehicle is described as a gray 2017 Ford F-150. Mr. [VICTIM #1] and Ms. [WITNESS #1] were unable to provide me with a tag number for the vehicle, and had no access at the time to [VICTIM #1]’s insurance to obtain any information due to not having their phones.
With the information that was provided, I attempted to locate the vehicle through our Flock system in an attempt to locate the vehicle in the county. Based on the search I was unable to locate the vehicle, therefor I believed that Michael may have still been in an area inside the county at the time.
Mr. [VICTIM #1] was transported to Effingham Hospital for medical treatment. While [VICTIM #1] was in route to the hospital, he remembered that he had a gun in the driver side door of his vehicle. He had informed EMS personnel of this information that was relayed to me as well (black PSA Dagger 9mm).
Due to [VICTIM #1] being transported, Deputy Durden conducted a follow-up at the hospital to obtain photographs of [VICTIM #1]’s injuries. Photographs of Mr. [VICTIM #1]’s injuries were taken and will be uploaded to this report as a supplemental attachment. Additional photos of the property damage were also taken.
Both parties were provided with a CRN number and advised on how to obtain a copy of this report.
[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
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR BOND AND PRELIMINARY HEARING
What this means: Michael Edward Chism’s defense attorney — from the Office of the Public Defender, Ogeechee Judicial Circuit — filed a formal request asking the Effingham County Superior Court to set a bond and hold a preliminary hearing. This motion applies to both of Chism’s open cases: SUWR2026000087 and SUWR2026000088. A bond hearing gives a judge the chance to decide whether Chism can be released from custody before trial, and if so, under what conditions. A preliminary hearing is a separate proceeding where a judge reviews whether there is enough evidence to move the case forward.
3/16/26
RULE NISI ISSUED BY JUDGE MULDREW
What this means: Judge Michael T. Muldrew of the Effingham Superior Court, Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, issued a Rule Nisi — a court order directing the State of Georgia to appear and show cause why the defense’s motion for bond and a preliminary hearing should not be granted. The order was filed in the Effingham County Judicial Complex in Springfield, Georgia, and a copy was directed to be served on the District Attorney. This Rule Nisi applies to both of Chism’s open cases: SUWR2026000087 and SUWR2026000088. This is a standard procedural step that puts the hearing officially on the court’s calendar.
4/2/26
BOND AND PRELIMINARY HEARING SCHEDULED
What this means: A criminal motion calendar hearing on the bond and preliminary hearing request was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at the Effingham County Judicial Complex in Springfield, Georgia. This is the court date set in response to the Rule Nisi issued by Judge Muldrew. At this hearing, the court would consider whether Michael Edward Chism should be released on bond while his cases — SUWR2026000087 and SUWR2026000088 — move forward. Chism is accused of aggravated assault, robbery, theft by taking (felony), theft by taking (two misdemeanor counts), criminal trespass, and willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence (felony).
5/8/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 10 COUNTS FILED AGAINST MICHAEL EDWARD CHISM
What this means: A grand jury in the Effingham County Superior Court returned a true bill of indictment against Michael Edward Chism during the December Term, 2025, filed in open court on May 8, 2026, under case number SU26-CR-087-M. Prosecutor Kristina Hopkins of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office presented the case on behalf of District Attorney D. Robert Busbee of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. The indictment charges Chism with ten counts:
Count 1 accuses Chism of Aggravated Assault under O.C.G.A. 16-5-21.
Count 2 accuses Chism of Robbery by Force under O.C.G.A. 16-8-40(A)(1).
Count 3 accuses Chism of Theft by Taking under O.C.G.A. 16-8-2.
Count 4 accuses Chism of Theft by Taking under O.C.G.A. 16-8-2.
Count 5 accuses Chism of Criminal Damage to Property in the Second Degree under O.C.G.A. 16-7-23.
Count 6 accuses Chism of Criminal Trespass under O.C.G.A. 16-7-21(A).
Count 7 accuses Chism of Theft by Taking under O.C.G.A. 16-8-2.
Count 8 accuses Chism of Theft by Taking under O.C.G.A. 16-8-2.
Count 9 accuses Chism of Obstruction of an Officer under O.C.G.A. 16-10-24(B).
Count 10 accuses Chism of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon under O.C.G.A. 16-11-131(B).
A grand jury indictment means that a panel of citizens reviewed the State’s evidence and found probable cause to believe that Michael Edward Chism committed these offenses. The indictment formally moves the case into the Superior Court trial process.
6/10/26
JUDGE MULDROW RECUSES HIMSELF FROM CASE SUCR2026000087
What this means: Chief Judge Michael T. Muldrow of the Effingham County Superior Court, Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, filed a formal Order of Self-Recusal in Michael Edward Chism’s case SUCR2026000087, removing himself from further involvement. The order states that to avoid any appearance of prejudice or bias, Judge Muldrow is stepping aside. He directed Walt Lawton, Clerk of the Effingham County Superior Court, to randomly reassign the case to another judge and notify all parties of the new assignment. The document indicates the case was reassigned to Judge Hube.
6/10/26
ORDER SETTING PLEA AND MOTION DAY — CASE SUCR2026000087
What this means: Chief Judge Michael T. Muldrow — signing before his recusal took effect — issued a court order requiring Michael Edward Chism to appear at the Effingham County Judicial Complex in Springfield, Georgia for Plea and Motion Day on September 9, 2026, with all motions and filings due no later than August 21, 2026. The order warns that failure to appear on the assigned date may result in revocation of bond and immediate incarceration. The order also requires that all motions, demurrers, notices of the State’s intention to present certain evidence, special pleas, and similar filings be served on opposing counsel no later than August 21, 2026, and that reciprocal discovery be provided to opposing counsel at least ten days before the filing deadline.
6/11/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED — CASE SUCR2026000087
What this means: Following the grand jury indictment returned on May 8, 2026, Michael Edward Chism’s arraignment was scheduled for June 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Effingham County Superior Court in Springfield, Georgia. An arraignment is the formal court proceeding where a defendant is read the charges against them and enters an initial plea of guilty or not guilty.
6/12/26
DEFENSE FILES DISCOVERY REQUEST — CASE SUCR2026000087
What this means: Michael Edward Chism’s defense attorney filed a formal motion requesting discovery from the State. Discovery is the legal process by which the defense asks the prosecution to share evidence it has gathered — such as police reports, witness statements, photographs, and other materials — so that Chism’s legal team can review and prepare a defense against the ten counts in the indictment.
6/18/26
STATE PROVIDES DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE — CASE SUCR2026000087
What this means: The State of Georgia, through the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, responded to the defense’s discovery request by disclosing its evidence to Michael Edward Chism’s legal team. This is a standard step in the pretrial process and gives the defense access to the materials the prosecution intends to rely on in building its case against Chism on the ten counts in the indictment.
6/23/26
PRETRIAL ORDER ISSUED — PLEA DAY RESCHEDULED TO 8/5/26
What this means: The Effingham County Superior Court issued a pretrial order in Michael Edward Chism’s case SUCR2026000087. The order rescheduled Plea and Motion Day from the previously set date of September 9, 2026, to August 5, 2026. This order sets out the procedural requirements and deadlines leading up to the new plea day hearing, when Chism will have the opportunity to enter a plea or pursue other motions before the court.
8/19/26
PLEA DAY CONTINUED — CASE SUCR2026000087
What this means: Michael Edward Chism’s Plea and Motion Day hearing, originally scheduled for August 5, 2026, was continued to August 19, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Effingham County Judicial Complex in Springfield, Georgia. The hearing will proceed before Judge Hube, to whom the case was reassigned following Judge Muldrow’s recusal.
9/9/26
PLEA DAY RESCHEDULED TO 9/9/26 BEFORE JUDGE HUBE
What this means: Michael Edward Chism’s Plea and Motion Day hearing was rescheduled again, this time to September 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Hube at the Effingham County Judicial Complex in Springfield, Georgia. This is the date when Chism will have the opportunity to enter a plea, pursue motions, or take other action in case SUCR2026000087.