In Winder, Georgia, an unusual legal proceeding is unraveling, as Colin Gray, father of a teenager charged with a deadly school shooting, is set to be tried by a jury from outside the county where the tragedy occurred. The decision to select jurors from another area was agreed upon by prosecutors and Gray’s defense team during a court session dedicated to discussing a potential venue change for the trial. This case marks a significant instance of holding parents accountable for their offspring’s violent acts in a school setting.
Colin Gray has entered a plea of not guilty to 29 charges, which include second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in relation to the fatal shooting on September 4 at Apalachee High School. Both Gray and his 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, who was implicated in the shooting that claimed the lives of two students and two teachers while injuring others, have denied the charges against them.
Testimonies from investigators revealed that Colin Gray had gifted the firearm used in the shooting to his son as a Christmas present. There were concerns raised about Colt Gray’s declining mental health prior to the incident and his preoccupation with school shootings. Reports also emerged about a shrine dedicated to the Parkland, Florida shooter above Colt Gray’s computer, highlighting a troubling fixation.
During the hearing, Colin Gray’s legal representative argued for the trial to be relocated from Barrow County due to concerns that widespread media coverage might have prejudiced potential local jurors’ opinions. Prosecutors concurred, acknowledging the profound impact the event had on the nearby community.
The primary issue now is from which location the jury will be selected. Prosecutors recommended bringing jurors from another northern Georgia county, while Colin Gray’s defense lawyer suggested looking to Thomas County in the south, anticipating less regional media exposure there. Meanwhile, prosecutors pointed out that the event had received considerable attention across the state and beyond.
The proposal to choose jurors from Walton County, which is nearby, was contested by Judge Nick Primm, who expressed concern that prospective jurors might have existing connections to those involved in the case. The judge has yet to decide whether to relocate the trial or summon jurors from another jurisdiction entirely.
Among the victims of the shooting were teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie, alongside students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. Nine others, including another teacher, were also injured. This incident is noteworthy as Colin Gray is among the few parents to face charges following a school shooting in Georgia. His indictment further underscores a broader legal trend of prosecuting parents in such cases, reminiscent of the charges brought against Jennifer and James Crumbley in Michigan. The Crumbleys were sentenced for negligence that contributed to a school shooting by their son.