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Name:
Best, Nanette
Date of Booking:
12/20/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
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 12/21/2025 I responded to the area of [2600 BLOCK] Highway 17 S. in regards to a black male in a wheelchair being disorderly.
When I arrived on scene I came in contact with [VICTIM #1], she stated she was the initial reporting party. She stated her family member [REDACTED], was seen leaving the residence upset at his sister Nanette. [VICTIM #1] stated them fighting is a normal occurrence but she did not want [REDACTED] to get hit by a vehicle since he was in a wheelchair going down Highway 17. She advised she wanted to make sure [REDACTED] was okay and get him back inside the residence.
As she was checking on [REDACTED] she advised Nanette came up to her very irate and yelling at her to leave him alone. She then stated Nanette lunged at her and grabbed by the throat and began to choke [VICTIM #1]. She stated she had to fight back to get Nanette off of her. [VICTIM #1] stated she did not lose conciousness and denied EMS. She stated
[VICTIM #1] stated Nanette then threw herself on the ground as the deputy responded to the scene. She advised [WITNESS #1] and [WITNESS #2] helped her get Nanette off of her and were witnesses to the strangulation.
I then came in contact with [WITNESS #1] he stated he stepped outside because he heard a commotion outside of the residence, and then he observed Nanette place both hands around [VICTIM #1]’s neck and began to choke her, he stated [VICTIM #1] began to fight back to get Nanette to let go of her throat. He stated he stepped in to separate the two females.
I then came in contact with [WITNESS #2]. She stated she observed Nanette choking [VICTIM #1] with both hands. [WITNESS #2] stated she attempted to record the altercation but only got the end of the altercation as a deputy arrived on scene. [WITNESS #2] was advised to email the recorded altercation to my county email. I have not received said video as of now.
I then attempted to speak to Nanette, but she was too irate and disorderly to obtain a proper statement. Nanette was placed under arrest for aggravated assault. Nanette was placed in handcuffs (double secured) and placed into the back of my patrol vehicle, she was searched and transported to Effingham County Jail without further incident.
[VICTIM #1] was given a case report number. She was advised on how to obtain a copy of the report for her records and of the 10-13 process.
[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:
12/29/25
MOTION FOR BOND AND PRELIMINARY HEARING FILED
What this means: Nanette Best’s attorney filed a formal request asking the Effingham County Superior Court to set a bond amount so she could be released from jail while awaiting trial on the aggravated assault charge. The motion also requested a preliminary hearing to review the evidence against her.
1/14/26
RULE NISI ISSUED FOR BOND HEARING
What this means: The court issued a rule nisi, which is a legal order directing the state to appear in court on January 14, 2026, to respond to Nanette Best’s motion for bond. This gives the prosecution a chance to argue whether she should be granted bond or remain in custody.
1/14/26
BOND GRANTED AT $5,000
What this means: After hearing arguments from both sides, the Superior Court of Effingham County granted Nanette Best bond in the amount of $5,000. According to the bond order, she can post either cash or property bond. She must avoid alcohol and drugs, have no contact with Shirley Robinson, abide by curfew, not possess weapons, not commit other crimes, and not travel outside Georgia. The state did not oppose the bond. She is now eligible for release from custody upon posting bond.
1/26/26
GRAND JURY INDICTMENT FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
What this means: A grand jury in Effingham County formally indicted Nanette Best on one count of aggravated assault, alleging that on December 25, she committed an assault upon Shirley Robinson by striking her about the face and head area with a closed fist, causing visible bodily harm. The indictment was signed by District Attorney Tom Durden and moves the case from Superior Court case number SUWR2025000391 to formal felony prosecution, where Nanette Best now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
3/24/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED
What this means: Nanette Best is scheduled to appear in Effingham County Superior Court at 9:00 a.m. for her arraignment, where she will be formally read the charges in the indictment and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere. This is typically the defendant’s first appearance after being indicted.
3/24/26
DEFENDANT FILES MOTION FOR DISCLOSURE OF EXCULPATORY AND IMPEACHING INFORMATION
What this means: Nanette Best, through the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender, filed a formal legal request asking the State of Georgia to turn over any evidence that could help her defense or undermine the credibility of the State’s witnesses. This type of request is rooted in a U.S. Supreme Court case called *Brady v. Maryland*, which established that prosecutors must share evidence favorable to the defendant. Best is specifically requesting the names, addresses, and phone numbers of people interviewed by the State or law enforcement who did not provide incriminating evidence, among other items. A Certificate of Service was also filed the same day, confirming that copies of this motion — along with a Notice of Election to Apply Discovery Statute and a Motion to “Reveal the Dew” — were electronically served on the prosecutor, D. Robert Busbee. All filings are under Indictment No. SL26CR014B in Effingham County Superior Court. Defense counsel of record is Dominique Fisher, State Bar No. 553484.
3/27/26
STATE PROVIDES DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE TO DEFENSE
What this means: Three days after Nanette Best’s defense team filed its discovery request, the State of Georgia responded by disclosing its discovery materials to the defense. This means prosecutors shared evidence and information they intend to use — or are required by law to share — with Best’s legal team in Effingham County Superior Court.
6/4/26
CRIMINAL PLEA DAY CALENDAR SCHEDULED
What this means: Nanette Best’s aggravated assault case in Effingham County Superior Court has been scheduled for Criminal Plea Day Calendar at 9:00 a.m. on June 4th. This is a court session where defendants can enter plea agreements if they have reached a deal with prosecutors, or where the case may be scheduled for trial if no plea agreement has been reached. Nanette Best will need to appear and indicate whether she plans to plead guilty, not guilty, or enter into a plea negotiation.
6/8/26
CRIMINAL CALENDAR CALL SCHEDULED
What this means: A calendar call has been set for June 8, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Nanette County Superior Court. A calendar call is a routine court appearance where the judge checks the status of pending cases and confirms whether they are ready to proceed to trial or need more time.
6/25/26
NANETTE BEST WAIVES RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL
What this means: On June 25, 2026, Nanette Best signed a formal Waiver of Right to Jury Trial in Effingham County Superior Court under Indictment No. SU26CR014B. By signing this document, Best gave up her constitutional right to have a jury of her peers decide the facts of her case. Instead, she asked the court to set her case down for a bench trial — meaning a judge alone will hear the evidence, decide guilt or innocence, and, if applicable, determine the sentence. The waiver was accepted by Judge Louie Bennet, Jr. and filed in open court the same day. The document reflects that Best acknowledged she is charged with Aggravated Assault and understood she could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted. All nine items on the waiver form were answered “yes,” confirming Best understood her rights before giving them up. The defendant’s attorney also signed the waiver.
6/25/26
CRIMINAL TRIAL CALENDAR — JURY SELECTION SCHEDULED
What this means: Nanette Best’s case was placed on the criminal trial calendar for June 25, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Effingham County Superior Court for jury selection. Given that Best signed a jury trial waiver the same day, the case appears to have moved away from a jury trial at this point in the proceedings.