SCOGA orders new trial for convicted NE Ga. murderer

ATLANTA - The Supreme Court of Georgia (SCOGA) says a man convicted of murder in Stephens County is entitled to a new trial.<br /> <br /> In a unanimous ruling, Justice Robert Benham writes that the District Attorney, during Steve Sims' trial, improperly commented on Sims' pre-arrest silence and failure to come forward to police, and his attorney should have objected.<br /> <br /> Sims was convicted of killing a friend of his former girlfriend. Dana Shawn Hancock died March 10, 2012, after being shot three times after Kim Motes, the former girlfriend, got into an argument with Sims. Hancock was with Motes when the confrontation occurred.<br /> <br /> The high court's ruling followed the state's appeal of the trial court's ruling that Sims should be granted a new trial.<br /> <br /> (Click on the link below for more on the case and the Supreme Court's decision.)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/2/284970