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Name:
Motes, Jessica Maria
Date of Booking:
10/27/2025
Reason(s) For Booking:
CONCEALING DEATH
Article:
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:
12/31/25
JESSICA MARIA MOTES FILES MOTION FOR DISCOVERY
What this means: Jessica Maria Motes, through her attorney Hammond Law, filed several motions requesting access to evidence and information from the prosecution. These include requests for copies of the indictment, witness lists, physical evidence that will be tested, statements made by witnesses, and any evidence that might be helpful to her defense. This is standard procedure in criminal cases where the defendant has the right to see the evidence against them before trial.
12/31/25
JESSICA MARIA MOTES OPTS INTO GEORGIA DISCOVERY RULES
What this means: Jessica Maria Motes formally chose to participate in Georgia’s discovery process, which means she agrees to provide certain information to the prosecution in exchange for receiving discovery materials from them. By opting in, she must provide the State with copies of her witnesses and witness statements, but she also gets broader access to the State’s evidence.
1/12/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS TRUE BILL OF INDICTMENT AGAINST JESSICA MARIA MOTES
What this means: A Hall County grand jury formally charged Jessica Maria Motes with five felony counts: malice murder, felony murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, aggravated battery, and concealing death of another. The indictment alleges she caused the death of a child, between October 25-26, 2025, by subjecting the victim to blunt force trauma and exposing her to fentanyl, methamphetamine, and xylazine. The grand jury found probable cause to believe Jessica Maria Motes committed these crimes.
1/13/26
NOTICE OF ARRAIGNMENT ISSUED FOR JESSICA MARIA MOTES
What this means: The Hall County Superior Court notified Jessica Maria Motes that her arraignment hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Courtroom 403. At this hearing, she will be formally read the charges and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Her attorney Hammond Law was copied on this notice.
1/14/26
STATE FILES MOTION TO SCHEDULE FIRST PROCEEDING
What this means: District Attorney Lee Darragh filed a motion asking the court to schedule a “First Proceeding” because this case is potentially death penalty eligible due to the aggravated battery charge and the heinous nature of the alleged crimes. Georgia law requires this special proceeding in death penalty cases to determine whether the State will actually seek the death penalty. The prosecution has not yet filed a notice of intent to seek death.
1/28/26
COURT APPROVES RECORDING REQUEST FOR WSB-TV
What this means: Judge Lindsay H. Burton approved a request from WSB-TV to use recording equipment in the courtroom during Jessica Maria Motes’ arraignment proceedings on March 2, 2026. The media outlet will be able to record video from a pool camera in the courtroom under specific court guidelines.
2/27/26
COURT APPROVES SECOND RECORDING REQUEST
What this means: The court approved another media request to use recording devices during court proceedings in Jessica Maria Motes’ case. This was filed by Law&Crime Network’s assignment editor Katie DeJong, showing continued media attention to the case.
3/2/26
ARRAIGNMENT HEARING SCHEDULED
What this means: Jessica Maria Motes was scheduled to appear before the Hall County Superior Court on March 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. for an arraignment hearing. An arraignment is the court proceeding where a defendant is formally informed of the charges against them and enters a plea. This appearance was also logged as a scheduled court appearance in the case docket.
3/2/26
STATE FILES NOTICE OF INTENT TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY
What this means: District Attorney Lee Darragh officially notified the court that the State of Georgia intends to seek the death penalty against Jessica Maria Motes. The notice cites two grounds: that the murder was committed while she was engaged in aggravated battery, and that the murder was “outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible, or inhuman” involving torture, depravity of mind, or aggravated battery to the victim. This makes it a capital case where Jessica Maria Motes could face execution if convicted.
3/2/26
JESSICA MARIA MOTES REJECTS PLEA OFFER AT ARRAIGNMENT
What this means: At the arraignment hearing before Judge Lindsay H. Burton, Jessica Maria Motes was offered a plea deal by the prosecution in exchange for a life sentence without the possibility of parole. She rejected this offer through her attorneys Hammond Law and Thomas A. Dowdy. After rejecting the plea, the State confirmed it would file a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. The court provided both parties with information about the process for selecting a presiding judge in death penalty cases.
3/3/26
COURT ORDERS JUDGE SELECTION PROCESS FOR DEATH PENALTY CASE
What this means: Since the State filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty, the court issued an order establishing the process for randomly selecting and assigning a presiding judge from the Northeastern Judicial Circuit to handle Jessica Maria Motes’ case. The selection will take place on March 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM in Courtroom 401 at the Hall County Courthouse. This is required by Georgia law to ensure impartial assignment of judges in capital cases.
3/4/26
STATUS HEARING HELD AND ARRAIGNMENT CONTINUED
What this means: Judge Lindsay H. Burton held a status hearing regarding Jessica Maria Motes’ case. Since the court may not be the presiding judge once the judge selection process occurs, the arraignment currently scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM was continued to a date to be determined after the new judge is selected. A status hearing and first proceeding were scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM instead.
3/10/26
NOTICE OF ARRAIGNMENT AND JURY TRIAL DATES ISSUED
What this means: The Hall County Superior Court issued a formal notice to Jessica Maria Motes informing her of upcoming court dates. The case was set for Calendar Call on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 403 of the Hall County Courthouse. The case was then set for Jury Trial beginning Monday, April 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the same court. If the case was not resolved during that trial week, additional trial weeks were set for the week of Monday, May 4, 2026, and the week of Monday, June 8, 2026. Jessica Maria Motes was required to be present at all proceedings or her bond would be forfeited. The notice was signed by Mark Pettitt, Clerk of Superior Court of Hall County, Georgia.
3/31/26
CALENDAR CALL HEARING SCHEDULED FOR JESSICA MARIA MOTES
What this means: A calendar call hearing is scheduled for Jessica Maria Motes at 8:30 AM in Hall County Superior Court. This is a procedural hearing where the court will review the case status, set future hearing dates, and address any scheduling matters. Since Jessica Maria Motes is facing the death penalty and the court is still in the process of selecting a new presiding judge, this calendar call will likely involve coordinating the timeline for upcoming proceedings in her capital murder case.
03/17/26
JUDGE LINDSAY H. BURTON ASSIGNED TO JESSICA MARIA MOTES DEATH PENALTY CASE
What this means: Following the judge selection process, Judge Lindsay H. Burton of the Superior Court for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit was randomly assigned to preside over Jessica Maria Motes’ capital murder case. The assignment was made through a manual random ball selection machine, as required by Georgia law for death penalty cases. Judge Burton will now be responsible for all aspects of the case including its management and disposition.
03/18/26
JESSICA MARIA MOTES FILES MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE
What this means: Jessica Maria Motes, through her attorneys Hammond Law, filed a motion asking the court to delay proceedings in her case. The defense explained that while the prosecution has provided a significant amount of discovery materials, they have not yet provided the autopsy report. The defense argued they need access to the autopsy to fully and fairly evaluate the plea offer that remains open from the District Attorney’s office. They requested that all proceedings be continued until the autopsy is provided, citing their constitutional rights to a fair trial and effective assistance of counsel.
04/17/26
HALL COUNTY CLERK NOTIFIES GEORGIA SUPREME COURT OF DEATH PENALTY CASE AGAINST JESSICA MARIA MOTES
What this means: Hall County Clerk of Court Mark Pettitt sent a certified letter to the Supreme Court of Georgia at the Nathan Deal Judicial Center in Atlanta, formally notifying the state’s highest court that the State of Georgia has filed a Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty against Jessica Maria Motes in Case No. 2026CR24LHB. Georgia law requires that the Supreme Court be notified when the death penalty is being sought in a case, as the Supreme Court has automatic review jurisdiction over all death penalty cases in the state. A certified copy of the State’s Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty was enclosed with the letter.
05/01/26
COURT SCHEDULES FIRST PROCEEDING FOR JESSICA MARIA MOTES
What this means: Judge Lindsay H. Burton scheduled Jessica Maria Motes’ First Proceeding for May 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Superior Courtroom #403 at the Hall County Courthouse in Gainesville, Georgia. This is a required hearing in Georgia death penalty cases under Uniform Superior Court Rule 34, where the court and parties will address procedural matters specific to capital cases before moving forward with trial proceedings.
5/1/26
CERTIFICATE OF DISTRIBUTION — UNIFIED APPEAL PROCEDURE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PARTIES
What this means: On May 1, 2026, Judge Lindsay H. Burton of the Hall County Superior Court certified that a copy of the Unified Appeal Procedure — a set of rules that governs how death penalty cases are handled in Georgia — was distributed to all parties in Case No. 2026-CR-24-LHB. Recipients included Senior Assistant District Attorney Harold Buckler for the prosecution; defense attorneys G. Hammond Law and Thomas A. Dowdy; Jessica Maria Motes herself; and court reporter Jennifer Ridgeway. This distribution is a required procedural step in capital cases in Georgia. The parties also appeared before the court on this date for the first scheduled proceeding.
5/8/26
FIRST SCHEDULING ORDER ENTERED — KEY HEARING DATES SET
What this means: Judge Lindsay H. Burton entered a First Scheduling Order in Case No. 2026-CR-24-LHB on May 8, 2026, establishing a series of upcoming court dates for Jessica Maria Motes. The order notes that the Hall County Grand Jury indicted Jessica Maria Motes on January 12, 2026, and that on March 2, 2026, the State of Georgia filed a Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty. The following dates were set: (1) Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. — arraignment and plea on the merits of the indictment; (2) Monday, August 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. — hearing on any challenges to the jury master list or how the grand or traverse jury was drawn; (3) Friday, August 7, 2026, and Friday, September 4, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. — hearings on all non-evidentiary motions; and (4) Monday, October 5, 2026, through Friday, October 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. each day — hearings on all evidentiary motions. All proceedings are to be held in Courtroom 403 on the 4th Floor of the Hall County Superior Court.
5/13/26
ORDER FINDING JESSICA MARIA MOTES INDIGENT — CAPITAL DEFENDER APPOINTED
What this means: On May 13, 2026, Judge Lindsay H. Burton signed an order finding that Jessica Maria Motes qualifies as indigent — meaning she does not have the financial resources to fully fund her own legal defense. The order notes that Jessica Maria Motes has been held at the Hall County Jail since October 27, 2025, and that her retained defense attorneys, G. Hammond Law and Thomas A. Dowdy, stated at the May 1 first proceeding that she had not worked for the last four years. As a result, the court ordered that one attorney from the Georgia Capital Defender’s Office be appointed to assist in her defense. The Georgia Capital Defender’s Office is a state agency that provides legal representation in death penalty cases. That office was directed to notify the court, retained counsel, and the State of the appointed attorney’s name within fourteen days of the order, and the appointed attorney must file an affidavit with the court within thirty days outlining their experience as required under the Unified Appeal Procedure.
5/26/26
NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL FILED — NEW DEFENSE TEAM FORMALLY ENTERS CASE
What this means: On May 26, 2026, attorneys Melinda I. Ryals and Mark W. Alexander filed a Notice of Substitution of Counsel in Case No. 2026CR000024-LHB, formally replacing G. Hammond Law III and Thomas Dowdy as defense counsel for Jessica Maria Motes. Melinda I. Ryals, a senior trial attorney with the Georgia Capital Defender’s Office (Southwest Georgia Regional Office), takes over as First Chair. Mark W. Alexander, the Circuit Public Defender for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, takes over as Second Chair. G. Hammond Law III remains on the case in an advisory capacity — all pleadings, orders, and notices are to be sent to both the new substitute counsel and to Law. This substitution follows the court’s May 13, 2026 order finding Jessica Maria Motes indigent and directing the Georgia Capital Defender’s Office to appoint counsel.
6/11/26
QUALIFICATIONS OF COUNSEL AND CO-COUNSEL FILED FOR JESSICA MARIA MOTES
What this means: On June 11, 2026, both members of Jessica Maria Motes’s new defense team filed the required qualification documents with the Hall County Superior Court, as mandated by the Unified Appeal Procedure — the set of rules governing how death penalty cases are handled in Georgia. These filings confirm that both attorneys meet the experience standards required to represent a defendant facing the death penalty.
6/18/26
PLEADING REQUEST TO USE RECORDING DEVICE PURSUANT TO RULE 22 ON RECORDING OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
What this means: On June 18, 2026, a pleading request was filed with the Hall County Superior Court in Case No. 2026CR000024-LHB asking permission to use a recording device during judicial proceedings. This request is made under Rule 22 of the Georgia Supreme Court Rules, which governs the recording of judicial proceedings. The request allows for creation of an independent audio record of all court hearings.
6/25/26
MOTION FOR AN ORDER TO PRESERVE ALL EVIDENCE — PRECLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL TESTING OR EXAMINATION
What this means: On June 25, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion asking the Hall County Superior Court to issue an order preserving all evidence in the case and prohibiting the State from conducting any additional testing or examination of that evidence without prior notice to the defense and an opportunity to be present. This motion protects the integrity of evidence and ensures the defense can observe and challenge any forensic work.
6/25/26
MOTION FOR COMPLETE RECORDATION AND TRANSCRIPT OF ALL PRE-TRIAL AND TRIAL PROCEEDINGS
What this means: On June 25, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion requesting that all pre-trial and trial proceedings in the case be completely recorded and that transcripts be prepared. This ensures a complete written and audio record of everything said in court, which is essential in capital cases for appeal purposes.
6/25/26
MOTION FOR DEFENDANT TO BE PRESENT
What this means: On June 25, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion requesting that Jessica Maria Motes be present at all proceedings in the case. This motion asserts her constitutional right to be present during her own trial and all related hearings.
6/25/26
MOTION FOR NEW FIRST PROCEEDING AND MOTION TO CONTINUE ARRAIGNMENT
What this means: On June 25, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion requesting that the court schedule a new first proceeding and continue (postpone) the arraignment that was set for July 8, 2026. This motion likely seeks additional time for the defense to prepare, given the complexity of a capital case and the recent substitution of counsel.
6/25/26
MOTION TO REQUIRE INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES TO PRESERVE NOTES
What this means: On June 25, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion asking the court to order all investigative agencies involved in the case to preserve all of their notes, reports, and work product. This ensures that no investigative materials are lost or destroyed and that the defense has access to all relevant information.
6/26/26
MOTION (REVISED) FOR PRODUCTION OF DISCOVERABLE MATERIAL
What this means: On June 26, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a revised motion requesting that the State produce all discoverable material — evidence, witness statements, police reports, and other information the prosecution is required to share with the defense. This is a standard discovery request in criminal cases.
6/26/26
MOTION — DEFENDANT’S ASSERTION OF FIFTH AND SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS
What this means: On June 26, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion formally asserting Jessica Maria Motes’s Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and her Sixth Amendment right to counsel. These are constitutional protections that ensure she cannot be forced to testify against herself and that she has the right to legal representation.
6/26/26
MOTION — DEFENDANT’S ASSERTION OF FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS
What this means: On June 26, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion formally asserting her Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures. This protects her from unlawful police searches and seizures of her property or person.
6/26/26
MOTION — DEFENDANT’S ELECTION TO PROCEED
What this means: On June 26, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion formally stating that Jessica Maria Motes elects to proceed with her case. This is a procedural declaration of her intent to move forward in the legal process.
6/26/26
MOTION FOR AN ORDER PROHIBITING DEFENDANT FROM BEING EXHIBITED IN JAIL CLOTHING
What this means: On June 26, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion asking the court to order that Jessica Maria Motes not be displayed or exhibited in jail clothing during any court proceedings. This motion seeks to prevent prejudice to the jury by ensuring she appears in civilian clothes rather than in a jail uniform, which could bias jurors against her.
6/26/26
MOTION TO PRECLUDE PUBLIC SHACKLING
What this means: On June 26, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a motion asking the court to prohibit Jessica Maria Motes from being shackled (restrained with chains or handcuffs) in public view during court proceedings. Shackling in front of a jury can prejudice jurors and violate the defendant’s right to a fair trial.
6/26/26
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ABIDE BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION GUIDELINES
What this means: On June 26, 2026, Jessica Maria Motes’s defense team filed a notice formally stating their intent to follow the American Bar Association Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases. These guidelines set professional standards for how capital defense should be conducted.
7/8/26
ARRAIGNMENT HEARING SCHEDULED
What this means: Jessica Maria Motes was scheduled to appear before the Hall County Superior Court on July 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. for an arraignment hearing. At this hearing, she will be formally informed of the charges against her and will enter a plea to the five counts in the indictment.