South Fulton mayor’s trespassing case heading to trial

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau has decided to take his trespassing case to trial, announcing the decision Tuesday after arriving to court more than an hour late.

Mayor Kamau going to trial

What we know:

According to the prosecutor, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office offered Kamau a plea deal that included 12 months probation, 40 hours of community service, and a written apology letter to the homeowner involved in the incident. Kamau would also have been required to avoid the house, avoid contact with the homeowner, and comply with all laws while on probation.

Kamau and his defense attorney told the judge he would rather take the case to trial. If convicted, Kamau faces up to 12 months in the Fulton County Jail, the judge said.

Courtroom delays and tension

Dig deeper:

Kamau had been scheduled for a 10 a.m. final plea hearing. When the judge called the case, neither Kamau nor his attorney was present.

The judge said she had been informed that the attorney was running 45 minutes late, but no request or approval for a delay had been submitted. Prosecutors requested a bench warrant, and the judge approved it.

Kamau and his attorney arrived just after 11:30 a.m. The judge reprimanded the attorney for late and improper filings and scheduled a pre-trial conference, adding that if no agreement is reached, the case will proceed to a jury trial.

Dig deeper:

This attorney took over the case last month after Kamau’s previous lawyer withdrew, saying Kamau would not work with District Attorney Fani Willis to resolve the matter.

South Fulon mayor criminal charges

The backstory:

The case stems from a July 2023 incident in which Kamau entered a lake house along Cascade Palmetto Highway without permission. Kamau told officers he had admired the property as his "dream home" and decided to look inside.

The homeowner confronted Kamau with a gun and called police. Kamau was originally charged with first-degree burglary and criminal trespass, though prosecutors later dropped the felony burglary charge.

Mayor Kamau trial

What's next:

The trial is set to begin Feb. 17 at 9 a.m.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 11 a.m.

South Fulton mayoral election

Local perspective:

After launching a last-minute campaign, Kamu lost his bid for re-election. Carmalitha Gumbs will become the first female mayor of South Fulton in January.