Mistrial declared in murder of Gwinnett County coach
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Judge Tamela L. Adkins has declared a mistrial in the murder case of a beloved Gwinnett County coach. She made the decision after hearing an "unproper and prejudicial" comment from the state on the third day of testimony.
The defense immediately objected to the state's line of questioning when they asked one witness to revisit the stand. It appeared the defense team felt the state was trying to walk the witness into admitting she said one of the defendants, the father of her child, committed felony murder.
"I think the state's comment cannot be ... I can't instruct the jury. I can't unring the bell because the state's comment was so unproper and prejudicial that I'm going to have to grant a mistrial for all three defendants," she said Monday afternoon.
The Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin Gatson's office released the following statement saying the case would be retried, but could not give a definite date:
"Today, we would like to address the recent developments in the case involving defendants Josiah Hughley, David Booker, and Miles Collins. A mistrial has been declared in this case, and we wish to provide our perspective on this matter.
"A mistrial has been declared due to a technical issue within the legal proceedings. While the District Attorney's office was against the granting of the mistrial, it was ultimately granted by the Court, and we respect the decision of the Court. We want to assure the community that our commitment to seeking justice remains unwavering. As soon as the Court’s schedule permits, the Gwinnett County District Attorney's office will diligently retry this case and ensure that justice is served for the victim and his family.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to pursuing justice in a manner that upholds the principles of our legal system."
On Monday, Coleman's mother told FOX 5 despite the mistrial, she believes there will be justice in this case.
"We still trust the process, and we still trust God that these three individuals are going to be brought to justice and put in jail for the rest of their lives in prison, and they're going to pay for what they did to my son," Venetia Coleman said.
Who killed Bradley Coleman?
Bradley Coleman, 29, was killed during a botched carjacking at a gas station in July 2022. The New Orleans resident was coming back to Georgia to visit family and had stopped to inflate his tires at a QuickTrip gas station on Peachtree Parkway and Peachtree Corners Circle.
Police say that's when three men approached him. One of them jumped into his car, attempting to steal it.
Coleman and the suspect wrestled inside the car before the suspect hopped out.
"One of the suspects shot the victim. Both suspects got back into their vehicle and drove off," the Gwinnett County Police Department reported.
From left, David Jarrad Booker, Josiah Hughley and Miles Collins charged with aggravated assault, murder of Bradley Coleman at a Peachtree Corners gas station.
Investigators later identified the gunman as David Jarrad Booker. The two other men were identified as Josiah Hughley and Miles Collins. All three were charged with murder and aggravated assault.
Who was Bradley Coleman?
According to a GoFundMe to support his daughter, Coleman "graduated from Norcross high school & won Mr. Norcross 2011, won Norcross High School State Basketball Championship, played football in Louisiana, and came back to Georgia to coach high school football."
"He was respected and loved by so many people," said Venetia Coleman, the mother of the victim. "Bradley was this awesome individual. Bradley was a coach, he was a teacher, he was a father, he was an awesome son."
Trial begins for beloved coach murdered by 3
The trial of three men accused of killing a beloved Gwinnett County football coach is on. Bradley Coleman was shot at a Peachtree Corners QT gas station last July during an attempted carjacking. Family, friends, and community members who knew and loved him are looking forward to receiving justice in the case.
Coleman’s longtime friend Reid Sanders, who played with him at Southern University, told FOX 5 that he wished he had talked to him one last time.
"If I would’ve known I wouldn’t have a chance to talk to him again, I would have told him how much I loved him," Sanders said, holding back tears. "He was just one of the most genuine guys, nice people. Always had a smile on his face. Brought the energy."