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Name:
Duck, Cody Lane
Date of Booking:
03/24/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
Battery – Family Violence (1st Offense) (M)
TERRORISTIC THREATS AND ACTS
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.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on April 24, 2026]
On 03/24/26 I, Cpl. Sangphim, responded as back up to Lt. Williams and Lt. Clayton to [10 BLOCK] Surrey Trail. Dispatch had advised us that the male subject there (Cody Duck) had pulled a knife on his girlfriend [VICTIM #1].
Upon arrival Lt. Clayton stopped out with Duck who was walking down Surrey Trail. Lt. Williams went and spoke with [WITNESS #1] who had called 911 and stated she was Duck’s Aunt. Lt. Williams advised me he had probable cause to make an arrest at that point for Battery F.V.A. I then went and arrested Duck and brought him back to the scene.
I read him his miranda rights. Lt. Clayton advised me that prior to his arrest Duck had stated to him he did grab the knife so “he had something to hold onto” he also told me something that if he had hit someone it was because he was falling and could have fell into her. Lt. Clayton said that Duck also stated if he hit [VICTIM #1] it was on accident when he was falling. Duck was on crutches and had apparently thrown his crutches in anger prior to our arrival.
I then went and spoke with [VICTIM #1] who stated she was Duck’s girlfriend and that they lived together in the camper. She said that Duck’s Aunt [WITNESS #1] had allowed them to stay there to prevent them from being homeless. [VICTIM #1] stated they were arguing about a cell phone that Duck had just purchased. Duck became enraged and punched her in the face and then got a kitchen knife and pointed it at her. She said she was afraid at that time of what Duck would do.
I then spoke with [WITNESS #1] who stated that Duck was Autistic and she had asked him how he got the phone. This angered him. She showed me a Blink surveillance video of Duck yelling, throwing his crutches and then going inside the camper. She said that he then punched [VICTIM #1] in the face with a closed fist. She said this was when Duck grabbed a knife which she showed me and retrieved from inside the camper.
I later placed this into evidence. She showed me the manner in which he held it with the point toward [VICTIM #1] and she said he then stated “I’m going to kill you” to [VICTIM #1]. [WITNESS #1] said this was when she called 911. I could see visible redness to [VICTIM #1]’s face in the area she pointed that Duck hit her. Duck stated he didn’t remember hitting [VICTIM #1] because he had P.T.S.D. I then transported Duck to the Floyd County Jail where he was cleared by medical personnel upon admission into the jail.
Miranda Read – Stated understood
Backseat cleared before and after transport
Handcuffs checked for proper fit and double locked
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on April 24, 2026]
On the listed date and time I (Lt. Clayton) responded to [10 BLOCK] Surrey Trail in reference to a subject with a knife in the midst of a domestic altercation.
I arrived in the area and observed a male matching the description walking down Surrey Trail, I made contact with the male and identified as Mr. Cody Duck, the male from the domestic altercation. I began to talk to Mr. Duck and calm him down as he was quite upset from the incident. Mr. Duck made statements that he had picked up a knife during the altercation, but had only done so to have something to hold.
Mr. Duck stated that if he had hit in anybody it was because he was falling and lost his balance. Mr. Duck made several requests to not go to jail and stated that he had not done anything wrong and that the fight was over him arguing about him buying a cell phone.
[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:
5/29/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 4 COUNTS FILED AGAINST CODY LANE DUCK
What this means: A Floyd County grand jury formally charged Cody Lane Duck with four counts stemming from an incident alleged to have occurred on or about March 24, 2026. The indictment was filed in Floyd County Superior Court under Case No. 26CR00867-1 during the May Term 2026. District Attorney Leigh E. Patterson signed the charging document.
Count 1 charges Cody Lane Duck with Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21), a felony. Duck is accused of making an assault upon the victim with a deadly weapon — specifically a knife — by pointing it at the victim while threatening her, in a manner likely to result in serious bodily injury.
Count 2 charges Cody Lane Duck with Possession of a Knife During Commission of a Felony (O.C.G.A. 16-11-106), a felony. Duck is accused of unlawfully having within arm’s reach a knife with a blade longer than three inches during the commission of or attempt to commit Aggravated Assault.
Count 3 charges Cody Lane Duck with Terroristic Threats (O.C.G.A. 16-11-37(b)), a felony. Duck is accused of threatening to commit a crime of violence suggesting the death of the victim — specifically by allegedly saying “I’m going to kill you” — with the purpose of terrorizing her.
Count 4 charges Cody Lane Duck with Battery, Family Violence (O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1(f)(2)), a misdemeanor. Duck is accused of intentionally causing visible bodily harm to the victim, a household member, by punching her in the face with a closed fist, causing redness.
6/2/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR BOND REDUCTION
What this means: Defense attorney Crystal B. Polizzi filed a Motion for Bond Reduction in Floyd County Superior Court on behalf of Cody Lane Duck. At the time of filing, Duck’s bail was set at $10,000. The motion asked the court to lower that amount to $3,500, with all other existing bond conditions remaining in place. A bond reduction motion is a formal request asking the judge to lower the amount of money a defendant must pay to be released from jail while the case is pending.
6/3/26
RULE NISI ISSUED — BOND REDUCTION HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 6/11/26
What this means: Floyd County Superior Court Judge John E. Niedrach issued a Rule Nisi order on June 3, 2026, directing the State of Georgia to appear and show cause — meaning explain to the court why the bond reduction requested by Cody Lane Duck should not be granted. The hearing was set for 9:00 AM on June 11, 2026, at the Floyd County Courthouse. A Rule Nisi is a standard procedural step that puts the opposing side on notice that a motion has been filed and sets a date for both sides to be heard.
6/4/26
PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED TO REPRESENT CODY LANE DUCK
What this means: Floyd County Superior Court determined that Cody Lane Duck qualified as indigent — meaning he did not have the financial means to hire a private attorney — under the criteria of the Georgia Indigent Defense Act. The court appointed Crystal B. Polizzi of the Office of the Public Defender, Rome Judicial Circuit, as attorney of record in Case No. 26CR00867-001. The appointment order was filed in office on June 5, 2026.
6/10/26
DEFENSE FILES DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY
What this means: Defense attorney Crystal B. Polizzi filed a formal Demand for Discovery on behalf of Cody Lane Duck in Floyd County Superior Court. In criminal cases, discovery is the process by which the defense requests access to evidence the prosecution intends to use — things like police reports, witness statements, video recordings, and lab results. This filing puts the State on notice that the defense is formally requesting all materials it is entitled to review before trial.
6/11/26
JUDGE GRANTS BOND REDUCTION FOR CODY LANE DUCK
What this means: Floyd County Superior Court Judge John E. Niedrach granted the Motion for Bond Reduction filed by defense attorney Crystal B. Polizzi. Cody Lane Duck’s bond was reduced from $10,000 to $3,500. Along with the lower bond amount, the court imposed several special conditions Duck must follow while out on bond: he must not violate any federal or state laws; he must begin medical and mental health treatment at Highland Rivers within seven days of release; he must abide by home confinement unless attending court, attorney meetings, or medical treatment; and he must have no contact with the victim.
6/15/26
STATE FILES NOTICE OF COMPLIANCE WITH DISCOVERY STATUTE
What this means: The State of Georgia filed a Notice of Compliance with the Applicable Discovery Statute in Floyd County Superior Court in the case against Cody Lane Duck, Case No. 26CR00867-1. This document confirms that the prosecution has provided the defense with the materials it is required to share under Georgia law — including the charging document, witness list, law enforcement investigative reports, District Attorney investigative reports, criminal history information, and any audio or visual recordings. The State also put the defense on notice of its intent to call witnesses (potentially by video conference), its demand for reciprocal discovery and alibi information from the defense, its intent to use prior convictions for impeachment purposes, and its intent to present evidence in aggravation at sentencing. The document was served on defense attorney Crystal B. Polizzi.
6/24/26
CODY LANE DUCK PLEADS GUILTY AS FIRST OFFENDER — SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS WITH 86 DAYS TO SERVE
What this means: Cody Lane Duck entered a negotiated guilty plea as a First Offender in Floyd County Superior Court on June 24, 2026, in Case No. 26CR00867-1. The final disposition form reflects a plea of guilty on two counts and nolle prosequi — meaning the State dropped the charges — on the remaining two counts.
Count 1, Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21): Duck pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years, with the first 86 days to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation. Duck received credit for time already served in custody beginning March 30, 2026.
Count 2, Possession of a Knife During Commission of a Felony (O.C.G.A. 16-11-106): The State entered a nolle prosequi, meaning this charge was dismissed as part of the resolution.
Count 3, Terroristic Threats (O.C.G.A. 16-11-37(b)): The State entered a nolle prosequi, meaning this charge was also dismissed.
Count 4, Battery, Family Violence (O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1(f)(2)): Duck pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months, with 86 days to serve in confinement, running concurrent — meaning at the same time — as the sentence on Count 1.
The sentence summary reflects a total sentence of 10 years, with 86 days to be served in confinement and the balance on probation. A behavioral incentive date of June 27, 2029, was included in the order in accordance with O.C.G.A. 17-10-1, which applies to First Offender defendants sentenced to no more than 12 months of confinement followed by probation.