Sherwin Johnson believes the warrant charging him with murder was "improper," and that he's been denied his right to a speedy trial, and that he's been "treated unfairly" at the Gwinnett County jail.
He believes it so much, in fact, that he's willing to argue as much in front of the state's highest court — as his own attorney.
Johnson was arrested nine days after the April 14, 2014, shooting that left 23-year-old Kevin Pierre — an innocent bystander — dead outside the Norcross-area Bradford Gwinnett Apartments. Gwinnett County police believe Johnson was involved in a verbal dispute, then a physical fight, with an acquaintance before shots were fired and a stray bullet hit Pierre.
Johnson remains incarcerated and is awaiting trial on the murder and other charges filed against him.
On Monday, he'll bring the aforementioned legal complaints to the Georgia Supreme Court, pro se. According to a case summary provided by the court, he's expected to argue that the warrants filed against him "contained false information and had a blatant disregard for the truth" and had "no substantial evidence." He'll also address claims that he was mistreated at the Gwinnett County jail, "stripped of all clothing and given a green 'turtle suit' as if [he] was crazy, mentally insiane or wanted to hurt himself."
He also claims the local courts have ignored his request for a speedy trial — a request the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office says was invalid because Johnson filed it on his own behalf while he was represented by another attorney.
The DA's office also denies any mistreatment at the jail. In fact, "the trial court ordered additional law library time for [Johnson]," filings said.
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