Witness: It was like a bad dream

GAINESVILLE - Hall Superior Court Judge Andrew Fuller Tuesday denied another motion for mistrial in the James Grizzle murder trial - and a witness testified that watching the victim die was like a bad dream.

Assistant Public Defender Ann Watson argued the state failed to reveal photographs in its possession to the defense.

The photos came to light during testimony from 17-year-old Karen Roberts, another witness to James Smith's stabbing death at Belton Bridge Park in August last year.

Roberts recalled it was like a bad dream, seeing a man die.

Roberts also testified she saw Grizzle repeatedly open and close a pocketknife at a Gainesville restaurant and said he appeared to be "playing with it" the night of the slaying.

Earlier in the day, Hall County Public Defender Brad Morris was warned not to argue with witnesses.

Morris was cross-examining Jered Amber when Amber responded with a question of his own.
Morris asked Amber if four larger men, one of them murder victim James Carlton Smith, stalked and confronted Grizzle the night Smith was stabbed to death at Belton Bridge Park near Lula about 14 months ago.

"Why didn't you just go by yourself and say 'excuse me sir, is there some problem here," Morris asked the witness.

"Is that what you have done?" Amber replied.

"No, I wouldn't have done it anyhow," Morris, replied.

At this point Assistant District Attorney Greg Radics objected and Judge Andrew Fuller told Morris to stop editorializing.

"The witness does not ask questions and in the event the witness does you need assistance and ask the court for assistance, you move onto your next question, not discuss or argue with the witness," Judge Fuller told Morris.

Also Tuesday, Hall County Sheriff Steve Cronic announced in court that he found "Froggy" the missing defense witness, but he goes by a different name.

Monday Judge Fuller asked the Sheriff's assistance in locating the witness known as "Froggy' or "Rodeo" whose real name was thought to be Donnie Wilson.

Cronic said his officers located him but his name is Ronnie Robinson.

Witness Allen Clay testified Tuesday morning that "Froggy" was present during the fatal incident at Belton Bridge Park and fought with Scott Evans, one of the men involved in the confrontation with Grizzle.