Why Felony Murder Defendants in Georgia Can Still Get Bail — and Why That Needs to Change
It shocks many people to learn that in Georgia, individuals charged with felony murder — one of the most serious crimes under state law — can still be granted bail. Despite the severity of the offense, the law allows judges to approve bond in certain circumstances, even in cases involving violent and deadly outcomes.
For victims’ families, this isn’t just a legal technicality — it’s a devastating failure of the justice system. It sends a painful message: that even the most serious crimes may not warrant pretrial detention. This loophole undermines trust, retraumatizes survivors, and exposes a dangerous flaw in Georgia’s legal process.
The Legal Loophole: A Technicality With Real Consequences
Under Georgia law, felony murder is defined as causing someone’s death during the commission of another felony, such as armed robbery, burglary, or kidnapping. Even if the death was not premeditated, the person committing the underlying felony can be charged with murder.
Felony murder is a capital offense — but Georgia law does not mandate automatic denial of bond in capital cases unless the death penalty or life without parole is actively being sought. That detail creates a significant gap in accountability. In many felony murder cases, prosecutors pursue lesser sentencing outcomes, which opens the door for defendants to request bail.
The decision is left to the discretion of the judge, often influenced by:
- Whether the district attorney is pursuing the death penalty or life without parole
- The perceived flight risk of the defendant
- Community safety considerations
This results in wide disparities across jurisdictions — and a system where justice depends more on legal strategy than on the severity of the crime or the safety of the community.
What This Looks Like in Real Life: Connor’s Case
In October 2021, Connor Mediate — a 24-year-old Kennesaw State University graduate — was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in Alpharetta, Georgia. His parents were devastated to learn that one of the individuals charged with felony murder in Connor’s case was granted bond and released while awaiting trial.
For the Mediate family, the decision to grant bond wasn’t just a legal outcome — it was a profound emotional blow. The person accused of participating in their son’s killing was free, while they remained trapped in grief and unanswered questions.
“No one accused of taking a life during a violent crime should walk free before trial,” said Nancy Mediate. “It’s not justice — it’s betrayal.”
Sadly, the Mediates are not alone. Families across Georgia have experienced the same heartbreak — learning only after tragedy that felony murder suspects may be released on bail, often without meaningful recourse. The trauma is compounded by the fear that the accused may not return to court, or worse, may harm others while out on bond.
Why This Law Must Be Reformed
The Justice for Connor initiative is calling on Georgia lawmakers to prohibit bail for individuals charged with felony murder, regardless of prosecutorial intent. Here’s why this change is urgent and necessary:
- It undermines public safety. Releasing individuals accused of taking a life during a violent felony puts communities at risk.
- It retraumatizes families. Seeing a defendant walk free adds immeasurable stress, fear, and grief to those who have already lost everything.
- It creates inconsistency and inequality. Bail decisions vary drastically depending on the judge, jurisdiction, and legal strategy. This lack of uniformity undermines the credibility of the justice system.
Other states, including Florida and Texas, require that individuals charged with felony murder be held without bail. Georgia should adopt similar standards — not as a symbolic gesture, but as a clear commitment to protecting victims and restoring public trust.
This Isn’t Just About Connor — It’s About All of Us
The Justice for Connor movement was created not just to honor one young man’s life, but to push for change on behalf of all families affected by violent crime and delayed justice. Connor’s case is a tragic example of what happens when legal gaps go unaddressed.
This is a call to action for every Georgia resident who wants to live in a state where justice is consistent, timely, and fair. The time has come for lawmakers to take a stand — not just for the Mediate family, but for every community that deserves to feel safe and heard.
What You Can Do to Help
Change begins with awareness — and ends with action. Here’s how you can support bail reform for felony murder cases in Georgia:
- Sign the petition demanding a ban on bail for felony murder charges
- Contact your state representative and urge them to support reform legislation
- Join the Justice for Connor movement and help raise awareness across Georgia
The Justice for Connor team will continue to fight — not just for one family, but for every family forced to endure this kind of injustice. Together, we can demand a system that protects the innocent, holds the guilty accountable, and values every life taken by violence.
