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Name:
Merrell, Noah Paul
Date of Booking:
02/09/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
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 02/07/2025 at approximately 10:13am, DFC R. Scott #532 and I, Deputy Z. Harter-Ray #526, were dispatched to [100 BLOCK] Fleetwood Dr. in reference to the complainant’s son having a mental health crisis. I responded code 1 (without lights and sirens). Upon arrival, we made contact with the complainants identified as [WITNESS #1] and [WITNESS #2]. They stated that they were woken up by their son, identified as Noah Merrel, who stated that he had just harmed a neighborhood cat. They stated that he has exhibited this type of behavior in the past and has actually killed a kitten they once had. They stated that Mr. Merrell had also stated that he was unsure what he was going to do if there were no more cats around for him to harm. Mr. [WITNESS #2] and Ms. [WITNESS #1] stated that his comments and actions scared them and were afraid of Mr. Merrell. Ms. [WITNESS #1] also informed us that Mr. Merrell is high on the autism spectrum and is diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
DFC Scott and I then went to speak with Mr. Merrell. When interviewing Mr. Merrell, I asked him if he could tell me what had happened today. Mr. Merrell informed us that he had hurt a cat in his neighborhood this morning. He stated that he had picked it up on by it’s scruff and began to choke it. He stated that he then began to hit in the face repeatedly until it scratched him on the hand making him drop it and run away. I then asked Mr. Merrell why he wanted to harm the cat and he stated that he felt like he needed to.
DFC Scott then asked Mr. Merrell if he was willing to go to the hospital to see if we could find him mental health assistance. Mr. Merrell agreed to go to the hospital. DFC Scott then called Ellijay Piedmont Hospital to see if there was a doctor willing to see Mr. Merrell in regards to mental health. Dr. [REDACTED] at Ellijay Piedmont agreed to see Mr. Merrell today if he came in.
DFC Scott and I escorted Mr. Merrell to our patrol vehicle. I conducted a pat and frisk of Mr. Merrell prior to being placed into the rear seat of the vehicle. I then assisted Mr. Merrell into the rear seat of the patrol vehicle and ensured he was secured with seatbelt. Rear seat camera was activated. We then transported Mr. Merrell to Ellijay Piedmont hospital.
When we arrived to Ellijay Piedmont, Dfc Scott and I escorted Mr. Merrell into the hospital to assist him in checking in. We then waited until he was placed into an exam room where we transferred care of Mr. Merrell to hospital staff.
I then contacted Adult Protective Services and made a report referencing APS case #1296740.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
2/10/25
MAGISTRATE BOND ORDER
What this means: A magistrate judge set bond in the amount of $2,500. This allowed the defendant to be released from custody upon meeting the bond requirements and any attached conditions.
2/21/25
ENTRY OF APPEARANCE: CLINTON HOOKER (PUBLIC DEFENDER)
What this means: Clinton Hooker, public defender, formally entered an appearance on behalf of the defendant. A public defender is a court-appointed attorney who represents individuals who cannot afford to hire private legal counsel, and this filing notified the court that the defendant was legally represented.
3/12/25
MOTION FOR MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TO STAND TRIAL AND FOR COMPETENCY
What this means: The defense filed a motion requesting a mental evaluation to determine whether the defendant was competent to stand trial. The motion raised concerns about the defendant’s ability to understand the proceedings and assist in their defense.
3/14/25
ORDER FOR MENTAL EVALUATION REGARDING COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL
What this means: The judge ordered that the Department of Human Resources (or Forensic Psychiatry Service) conduct an evaluative examination of the defendant, provide treatment of the defendant, if appropriate, and provide to the Court a report of diagnosis, prognosis and its findings, with respect to competency to stand trial and any recommendations for disposition.
4/18/25
TRANSCRIPT OF COMPETENCY HEARING
What this means: A transcript of the competency hearing held on March 11, 2025, was filed with the court. This document provides a written record of the testimony and arguments presented during the hearing.
4/29/25
ORDER SEALING DEFENDANT’S COMPETENCY EVALUATION
What this means: The court issued an order sealing the competency evaluation dated April 2, 2025. This restricted public access to the report due to its sensitive nature.
5/12/25
ORDER SEALING DEFENDANT’S COMPETENCY EVALUATION
What this means: The court entered a second order sealing an additional competency evaluation dated April 28, 2025. This further protected confidential mental health information from public disclosure.
8/25/25
ACCUSATION
What this means: An accusation was filed charging the defendant with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. This formally set forth the criminal charge against the defendant.
8/26/25
DISPOSITION FINAL ORDER
What this means: The court entered a final disposition finding the defendant guilty of one count of cruelty to animals. The defendant was sentenced to 180 days to serve, with credit for time served beginning February 9, 2025.
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