Kilby Guilty on All Counts

The jury deliberated for less than four hours before all twelve members reached a consensus in the case of the State of Georgia v Lowanda “Peanut” Kilby, who was accused of using deceitful means to steal funds from the Boggs Mountain Animal Shelter.

“We the jury, find Lowanda Kilby, guilty.”

The guilty verdict was for all 60 counts with which Kilby was charged.

After the jury read their verdict, the defense called for a poll of the jurors. All twelve conversations between the judge and Kilby’s peers went the same way.

“Was that your verdict in the jury room?” “Yes, sir.” “Was it freely and voluntarily made by you?” “Yes, sir. “Is it still your verdict?” Yes, sir.” “You may be seated.”

Following the reading of the verdict and the polling of the jurors, the judge thanked the members of the jury for their service and then discharged them.

On the matter of sentencing, both the prosecution and the defense asked for the sentencing hearing to be held at a later date, to which the judge agreed.

Prosecution also asked for Kilby to be taken into custody, while the defense requested that she be released on bond until the sentencing hearing, leaving the judge with a decision to make.

“I am not going to allow her to remain on bond pending sentencing, so she’ll be in custody.”

With the judge ruling in favor of the State on that matter, Kilby was taken into custody and walked out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

Once outside the courtroom, Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brian Rickman said he was not surprised by the jury’s decision.

“I think the jury followed the evidence,” said Rickman. “I think folks gave two weeks of their lives and the evidence was such that it was just undeniable. I think there’s not a lot of room for interpretation.”

Meanwhile, it did not seem that defense attorney Tim Healy agreed.

“Well, I don’t really have any comment to make.”

When asked if they would appeal the decision, Healy replied, “Oh, yeah. Definitely.”

We will let you know the date of the sentencing hearing as soon as it is scheduled.