Judge: Local jury 'risky' for accused Apalachee shooter's father's trial

No local jury for Colin Gray

A Barrow County judge agrees with that a local jury should not be used for the trial of accused Apalachee High School shooter's father Colin Gray. The judge called using a local jury "risky" and says he will look into either moving the trial or bringing in an outside jury.

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - A Barrow County judge has ruled that the upcoming trial for the father of the teen accused in last year’s deadly shooting at Apalachee High School should not be heard by a jury from Barrow County. 

What we know:

During a hearing Thursday afternoon, attorneys on both sides agreed that Gray’s trial would be difficult if held in Barrow County. But while the defense argued that extensive media coverage and community ties to the tragedy would prevent a fair trial, prosecutors cited a different reason.

"The reason the state is agreeing to change of venue from Barrow County is because all of Barrow County was a victim in this case," said District Attorney Brad Smith.

Colin Gray’s defense attorney, Jimmy Berry, said they are seeking a location where jurors are not emotionally affected or connected to the case.

"What we need to do is to find a place where we can get an impartial and fair jury," Berry said. "I don't think anywhere in this epicenter, are we going to be able to find that."

Prosecutors suggested bringing in jurors from a neighboring county such as Walton or Jackson, which they said would be more cost-effective and logistically easier than moving the entire trial elsewhere. The district attorney also raised concerns about security and the logistics of transporting witnesses.

Chief Barrow County Superior Court Judge Nicholas Primm agreed that a local jury would be risky and the venue will be changed. However, he has not yet determined whether to relocate the trial or to bring in an outside jury.

"I'll have to figure out if we're going to export the trial or import jurors," Judge Primm said in court.

The judge indicated he will contact other jurisdictions and plans to issue a final ruling within the next month. He emphasized that his goal is to begin the trial in September.

Colin Gray's charges

The backstory:

The elder Gray was charged with allowing his 14-year-old son access to the weapon investigators say was used to kill four people and injure nine others at Apalachee High School in September 2024. Colin Gray faces 29 charges, including second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to children.

The mass shooting at Apalachee High School occurred on Sept. 4, 2024. On that date, Colt Gray allegedly killed math teacher Cristina Irimie, Coach Richard Aspinwall, 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn, and 14-year-old Christian Angulo. The students were identified as Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, and the teachers were Cristina Irimie, 53, and Richard Aspinwall, 39.

6 months since Apalachee High School shooting

It has been six months since the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School. The shooting claimed the lives of two students and two teachers.

Investigators later found a notebook belonging to Colt Gray that contained drawings eerily matching the events of the school shooting, as well as a checklist outlining steps Colt planned to take. They also found a "shrine of sorts" behind Colt's computer desk in his home, consisting of approximately 15 photographs and newspaper articles about past school shootings and school shooters.

The GBI also learned from Colin Gray that he had received unsettling text messages from both his daughter and ex-wife on the day of the shooting. After reading the texts, Colin said he went home and turned on the news, where he saw reports of the shooting at Colt’s school. He told investigators that he then went to Colt’s room to look for the AR-15-style rifle he had given him, only to find it missing. Investigators testified that Colin Gray did not seem surprised when he was informed of the shooting and did not immediately express remorse after learning about the incident.

Judge grants Colin Gray $500K bond

Colin Gray, the father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray, was granted bond during a hearing Tuesday. Chief Judge Nicholas Primm set a $500,000 bond, of which Gray would have to post $50,000.

Colin Gray's change of venue request

What they're saying:

In March, Colin Gray's attorneys filed a motion in Barrow County Superior Court to move the trial.

The attorneys argued that the widespread publicity of the case, and the passionate response it invokes, should be the reason for the trial being moved. 

"The reference to charges pending against the defendant and to the defendant’s background has been placed before the prospective jurors in this case information which is incompetent as evidence and has severely prejudiced prospective jurors against the defendant," the motion reads. 

Colt Gray has filed a similar motion to have his trial's venue changed for similar reasons.

SEE ALSO:

• Apalachee High School forms partnership to support students, teachers
• Apalachee High School head football coach stepping down after mass shooting
• Barrow County Schools announce additional new security feature
• Bond granted for father of accused Apalachee High School shooter
• Apalachee HS shooting victim's brother demands better security in Barrow County schools