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Written by: A. Smith
Published January 5, 2026 @ 1:00 PM ET
Update #3: The trial for Sarah Grace Patrick, which had been scheduled to begin today in Carroll County, has been delayed after defense attorneys told the court they are still awaiting the final results of a psychological evaluation.
During a recent hearing, prosecutors asked the court for permission to conduct their own psychological exam, which the judge approved.
The judge agreed to reset the trial for Aug. 3 and warned both sides that no further delays would be granted. The results of the evaluation are expected to be presented to the jury during the trial, along with other evidence in the case. Patrick continues to be charged as an adult.
Update #2: Hours after Judge Dustin Hightower denied a request for bond for Sarah Grace Patrick, a Carroll County grand jury has indicted her on 8 charges. The indictment reads as follows:
COUNT 1: Malice Murder (O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(a))
COUNT 2: Malice Murder (O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(a))
COUNT 3: Felony Murder (O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(c))
COUNT 4: Felony Murder (O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(c))
COUNT 5: Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21)
COUNT 6: Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21)
COUNT 7: Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony (O.C.G.A. 16-11-106)
COUNT 8: Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony (O.C.G.A. 16-11-106)
COUNT 1
The Grand Jury aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the Citizens of the State of Georgia, charge and accuse SARAH GRACE PATRICK with the offense of Malice Murder (O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(a)) in that the said accused, in the State of Georgia and in the County of Carroll, on or about the 20th day of February, 2025, did unlawfully, with malice aforethought, cause the death of Kristin Brock, a human being, by shooting said Kristin Brock, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
COUNT 2
The Grand Jury aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the Citizens of the State of Georgia, charge and accuse SARAH GRACE PATRICK with the offense of Malice Murder (O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(a)) in that the said accused, in the State of Georgia and in the County of Carroll, on or about the 20th day of February, 2025, did unlawfully, with malice aforethought, cause the death of James Brock, a human being, by shooting said James Brock, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
COUNT 3
The Grand Jury aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the Citizens of the State of Georgia, charge and accuse SARAH GRACE PATRICK with the offense of Felony Murder (O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(c)) in that the said accused, in the State of Georgia and in the County of Carroll, on or about the20th day of February, 2025, did commit the offense of murder when the accused caused the death of Kristin Brock, a human being, irrespective of malice while in the commission of a felony, AggravatedAssault, by by shooting said Kristin Brock., contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
COUNT 4
The Grand Jury aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the Citizens of the State of Georgia, charge and accuse SARAH GRACE PATRICK with the offense of Felony Murder (O.C.G.A. 16-5-1(c)) in that the said accused, in the State of Georgia and in the County of Carroll, on or about the 20th day of February, 2025, did commit the offense of murder when the accused caused the death of James Brock, a human being, irrespective of malice while in the commission of a felony, Aggravated Assault, by by shooting said James Brock., contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
COUNT 5
The Grand Jury aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the Citizens of the State of Georgia, charge and accuse SARAH GRACE PATRICK with the offense of Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A.16-5-21) in that the said accused, in the State of Georgia and in the County of Carroll, on or about the 20th day of February, 2025, did make an assault upon the person of Kristin Brock with a deadly weapon, to wit: a firearm by discharging said firearm at Kristin Brock, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
COUNT 6
The Grand Jury aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the Citizens of the State of Georgia, charge and accuse SARAH GRACE PATRICK with the offense of Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21) in that the said accused, in the State of Georgia and in the County of Carroll, on or about the 20th day of February, 2025, did make an assault upon the person of James Brock with a deadly weapon, to wit: a firearm by discharging said firearm at James Brock, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
COUNT 7
The Grand Jury aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the Citizens of the State of Georgia, charge and accuse SARAH GRACE PATRICK with the offense of Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony (O.C.G.A. 16-11-106) in that the said accused, in the State of Georgia and in the County of Carroll, on or about the 20th day of February, 2025, did unlawfully have on her person a handgun, a firearm, during the commission of the crime of Aggravated Assault, a felony, a crime involving the person of Kristin Brock, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
COUNT 8
The Grand Jury aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the Citizens of the State of Georgia, charge and accuse SARAH GRACE PATRICK with the offense of Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony (O.C.G.A. 16-11-106) in that the said accused, in the State of Georgia and in the County of Carroll, on or about the 20th day of February, 2025, did unlawfully have on her person a handgun, a firearm, during the commission of the crime of Aggravated Assault, a felony, a crime involving the person of James Brock, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
Update #1: A Carroll County judge denied bond Tuesday for a 17-year-old girl accused of fatally shooting her mother and stepfather in their home earlier this year.
Sarah Grace Patrick is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault in the February deaths of James “Jamey” Brock, 45, and Kristin Brock, 41. Both victims were shot multiple times, including once in the head. She was arrested last month.
Defense attorneys argued Patrick should be released, citing her lack of criminal history and claims she is not a flight risk. Prosecutors countered that she has access to resources through family and community ties in and out of state and could attempt to flee. They also argued she poses a risk of influencing witnesses, including her 6-year-old sister, who was inside the home when the shootings occurred. Some family members also expressed fear of harm if she were released, given the violent nature of the crimes alleged against her. The judge agreed.
The court heard emotional letters from Jamey Brock’s sons, including a 12-year-old who pleaded with the judge to keep Patrick in jail. Several family friends also spoke in support of Patrick, offering to help her if she were released.
Testimony revealed that Patrick once attended an alternative school, despite supporters describing her as an “easy” teenager who had never been in trouble.
The courtroom was divided, with Patrick’s supporters donning ‘I Stand with Sarah Grace’ t-shirts, many of them connected to her mother’s side of the family, who believe she is innocent, seated opposite Jamey Brock’s relatives, who urged the court to pursue justice.
Patrick is scheduled to return to court Sept. 22 for her arraignment.
A trial date has been tentatively set for Jan. 5, 2026.
Judge Hightower presided over the hearing.
CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. – A 17-year-old girl has been arrested and charged in the February shooting deaths of her mother and stepfather in a Carroll County home.
Sarah Grace Patrick turned herself in Tuesday morning at the Carroll County Jail. She is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault in connection with the deaths of her mother, 41-year-old Kristin Brock, and her stepfather, 45-year-old James Brock.
Deputies with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office responded to the couple’s home on Carrollton Tyus Road around 5 a.m. on Feb. 20, where they discovered the Brocks dead from apparent gunshot wounds. According to authorities, the couple’s 5-year-old daughter found them in bed and alerted her older sister, Patrick, who then called 911.
From the start, investigators said they treated the case with urgency and care. “From the very moment the 911 call was received, a relentless investigation began,” said Carroll County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Ashley Hulsey during a news conference Tuesday.
In the months that followed, local, state, and federal agencies—including the FBI and GBI Crime Lab—were brought in to help comb through what the sheriff’s office described as “mountains of physical and digital evidence.” Lead Investigator TJ Repetto oversaw the case.
One of the key pieces of evidence cited by authorities was Patrick’s tearful eulogy at her mother’s funeral, which investigators now believe may have been a calculated attempt to deflect suspicion.
Sheriff’s officials confirmed there were no signs of forced entry at the home, though one door had been left slightly ajar. Nothing was reported stolen. Early statements from investigators stressed that they were not ruling anything out and encouraged the public to come forward with any information that could help the case.
“This case has never gone silent,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release. “Real justice takes time to ensure that no detail is overlooked, no stone unturned.”
Investigators have not disclosed a possible motive and emphasized that the investigation remains active.
“She’s 17. She’s kind of been out on her own. She’s lived with different family members and moved all over the place,” Hulsey said, offering limited insight into the teen’s background.
The Brocks were remembered as loving and devoted members of the community. They were active at Catalyst Church in Carrollton, where fellow congregants described them as kind-hearted and generous.
James Brock, family members said, had been awaiting a heart transplant before his death.
“A mother and stepfather will never be able to raise their children,” Hulsey said. “A little girl who was in the home, to me, she is probably the saddest victim in all of this.”
Kristin and James Brock leave behind seven children from their blended family. The sheriff’s office extended its condolences to the family and thanked the community for supporting the investigation.
Patrick is being charged as an adult and, if convicted, could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Authorities say additional arrests could still be made.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.