A Decatur County man has been charged with one count of Felony Aggravated Assault and one count of Felony Terroristic Threats for attacking his father and threatening his mother with a .40 caliber pistol.
Chief Assistant Mike Bankston, with help from Bainbridge Public Safety Investigator Mark Esquivel, showed evidence at last week’s trial confirming Ryan Mitchell, 29, fired the pistol over the head of his father, Mark.
Mitchell also threatened his stepmother, Regina, by stating that he would “put a bullet between her eyes,” he said.
Bankston and Esquivel presented statements from Mitchell’s parents and also spoke to two individuals who had similar experiences with him.
“It wasn’t the first time he’s done this,” Esquivel said. “There was a trend.”
The jury found Mitchell guilty. Judge A. Wallace Cato deferred his sentence until after a psychological evaluation is performed.
“This was a tough case between a father and son,” Bankston said. “However, we want the people of Decatur County to know that there will be zero tolerance for such horrific crimes in which someone could have easily been killed.”
At least 62 other defendants were arrested, charged and entered pleas of guilty last week in Decatur County, including the conviction of Donalsonville resident Deonte Smith for the murder of his two-month-old daughter.
“Receiving two convictions by an impaneled jury made for a great week for our office,” Joseph K. Mulholland, District Attorney for the South Judicial Circuit said. “We had a very good jury pool. “
Mulholland also commended the officers of the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Bainbridge Public Safety and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for all of their outstanding and diligent work this trial term, he said.