Ga. Supreme Court overturns ruling for new trial in White Co. murder case

ATLANTA - The Georgia Supreme Court has reversed a White County judge's decision granting a new trial to convicted murderer Samuel Mitchell Abernathy.

Abernathy, who was convicted of murdering Darrin Ramey three years ago in Helen, is serving a life sentence.

The high court ruled the trial court granted Abernathy's motion for new trial
on the sole ground that his public defender had a conflict of interest in representing him because the person arrested with him was represented by the same public defender's office.

In its ruling, written by Chief Justice Carol Hunstein, the state Supreme Court said "we find that the trial court erred in granting Abernathy a new trial and therefore reverse and remand for further proceedings in the trial court."

(You can read a summary of the ruling and the ruling itself by clicking on the link below.)