Two men were incarcerated  after trial this week at the Decatur County Courthouse.

Nathaniel Griffin was found guilty on one count of Aggravated Assault and one count or Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon for a shooting on July 4, 2014, in front of Winn Dixie on Shotwell Street.

Evidence showed that on the afternoon of the Fourth of July, Griffin assaulted  Christopher Carter with the intent to rob him as he drove away in his vehicle.

“I frequently shop at the Winn Dixie with my three small children,” South Georgia Judicial Circuit District Attorney Joe Mulholland said. “The crime occurred at 4 p.m. in the afternoon on one of the busiest days of the year. We want our community to know that our office will always prosecute to the fullest those that endanger our families and children.”

Griffin was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Mulholland said Griffin’s extensive criminal record added to his punishment, and he is mandated to serve the full term.

The second trial, tried by Assistant District Attorney David Atwell, charged Gregory Bernard Murphy, Sr. with one count of Rape, Incest and Child Molestation.

Atwell filed a recidivist motion on Gregory Murphy based upon three prior convictions. Murphy was found guilty on all three counts and was sentenced to Life without parole in the penal system by Honorable Judge A. Wallace Cato.

“The fact that he committed these atrocious acts with these children, he deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail,” Mulholland said.

Decatur County Sheriff’s Office Investigator, Cheryl Roberts Nix collected all the evidence for presentation at the trial on Thursday. The evidence at trial showed that between July 6, 2012 and July 31, 2014 Gregory Murphy, Sr. raped and engaged in sexual intercourse with his daughter.

Over 60 other defendants were arrested, charged and entered guilty pleas this week. The defendants were sentenced to serve some time in custody or lengthy probation.