Randy Mathews

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Name:
Mathews, Randy Scott Jr

Date of Booking:
04/10/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Armed Robbery

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 04/09/2026 at approximately 2100hrs, I PTL P Brown 4152 was responding in non-emergency mode to the area of W Mcintosh Rd and North Expressway, which is in the City of Griffin, Spalding County in regard to Shots Fired.

Other units called out that they were in the area of Walmart and had negative contact with any shots fired.

I decided to check Old Atlanta, taking Bowling Ln eastbound from North Expressway. I came to the stop sign at Bowling Ln and Old Atlanta Rd and turned left to go northbound on Old Atlanta Rd. As my headlights came into alignment with Old Atlanta Rd, I observed a young black male full speed sprinting across Old Atlanta Rd westbound. The subject was observed carrying a backpack in his left hand, and what appeared to be a handgun in his right hand.

I looked into the parking lot behind GNC and observed a black in color pickup truck sitting with the headlights off; but the brake lights were active, indicating someone was pressing the brake. I observed said suspect frantically swing open the passenger side door and jump into the vehicle.

As I was focused on the black in color truck, I heard screaming from the east side of Old Atlanta Rd. The screaming was frantic and mumbled, but I heard something regarding a gun and to get him or stop him.

I immediately activated my emergency blue lights and pulled into the parking lot behind the truck. I advised dispatch the description of the vehicle and then stepped out of my marked patrol unit drawing my service weapon seeking cover behind my unit. I observed an older white male in the driver’s seat, and a young black male in the front passenger seat.

Once backup arrived on scene, we began to give verbal commands for the driver to exit the vehicle. He was handcuffed behind his back, around the wrists, they were checked for fit and double locked. He was patted down for weapons then detained in the back of my patrol car. The passenger was removed and detained in a backup officers’ vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Randy Mathews, and the passenger was identified as [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. There was a dog inside the truck, [REDACTED] arrived on scene and the dog was turned over to her.

I made contact with [VICTIM #1] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] who advised that the suspect had just robbed them at gun point at [1400 BLOCK] Old Atlanta Rd near the backyard fence. [VICTIM #1] was attempting to sell jewelry to the suspect when the suspect drew a firearm pointing it at him and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] snatching the backpack from him. They stated that the suspect had a gun with a blue laser beam attached to the front. [VICTIM #1] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] were staying the night at their Grandmas house, [REDACTED].

A firearm was recovered on the black male suspect that had a laser beam attached to the front attachment point.

CID arrived and the scene was turned over to them; they decided to transport both suspects to the police station for interviews. The victim and his family were transported by the family to the police station for questioning. The vehicle was towed to the Police Department for CID.

[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:

4/11/26

FIRST APPEARANCE HEARING — RANDY SCOTT MATHEWS JR COMMITTED TO SUPERIOR COURT

What this means: Randy Scott Mathews Jr appeared before Judge Brennan T. MacDowell in the Magistrate Court of Spalding County. At this hearing, the court determined there was enough basis to commit Mathews to the Superior Court of Spalding County to answer to a charge of Armed Robbery with a Weapon (Warrant No. 26-EW-002635). The court noted that bond is governed by Superior Court only under O.C.G.A. 17-6-1, meaning a Superior Court judge — not a magistrate — would have to set any bond. The arresting officer listed on the commitment document is Inv. Joseph Berry.

4/14/26

SUPERIOR COURT NOTIFIED — BOND HEARING SCHEDULED BEFORE JUDGE W. FLETCHER SAMS

What this means: Chief Judge Scott L. Ballard’s office issued a notice to the Superior Court of Spalding County advising that Randy Scott Mathews Jr was being held without bond on a charge of Armed Robbery — an offense that under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 17-6-1) can only be considered for bond by a Superior Court judge. The notice set a bond hearing for April 16, 2026 at 9:00 AM before Judge W. Fletcher Sams at the Spalding County Courthouse in Griffin, Georgia. This notice was sent to the Clerk of Superior Court, the District Attorney’s office, and the Spalding County Sheriff’s Department.

4/16/26

ORDER DENYING BOND — RANDY SCOTT MATHEWS JR HELD WITHOUT BAIL

What this means: Following the bond hearing, Judge W. Fletcher Sams of the Superior Courts, Griffin Judicial Circuit, denied bond for Randy Scott Mathews Jr in case number 26FAH-0726. The court checked two reasons for the denial: the serious nature of the offenses, and that Mathews poses a significant risk of committing a new felony while the case is pending. This order was filed in open court on April 16, 2026. Mathews remains held without bond pending further proceedings in Spalding County Superior Court.

4/21/26

DEFENSE ATTORNEY ENTERS APPEARANCE — SEAN H. JOYNER RETAINED

What this means: Attorney Sean H. Joyner formally notified the Magistrate Court of Spalding County that he has been retained to represent Randy Scott Mathews Jr in this case. The entry of appearance was filed on April 23, 2026, and covers both Warrant No. 26-EW-002635 and Warrant No. 26-EW-002653. Joyner also requested a preliminary hearing on behalf of Mathews to determine whether probable cause exists to support the warrants. A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding where a judge reviews the evidence to decide if there is enough to justify moving the case forward.

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5/5/26

COMMITTAL ORDER ISSUED — RANDY SCOTT MATHEWS JR BOUND OVER TO SUPERIOR COURT

What this means: Following a preliminary hearing in the Magistrate Court of Spalding County (Case No. 26FAH-0726), Judge Rita L. Cavanaugh issued a Committal Order on May 5, 2026, formally binding Randy Scott Mathews Jr over to Superior Court on two felony charges: Armed Robbery with a Weapon under O.C.G.A. 16-8-41, and Aggravated Assault with a Weapon under O.C.G.A. 16-5-21, covering Warrants 26-EW-002635 and 26-EW-002653. The court also ordered that no bond be set, consistent with the earlier Superior Court order. A handwritten note on the document confirms “No Bond & FAH Superior Court Only.” ADA Wendy Carlyle represented the State, and Sean Joyner appeared as private defense counsel. This committal order means the case now formally moves to Spalding County Superior Court, where Mathews will face prosecution on both felony charges.