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SAVANNAH, Ga. () – It’s a major day in one of Savannah’s most talked-about cases. Five suspects in the deadly Oglethorpe Mall shooting are due in court today and this hearing could decide if their cases move forward toward trial.
Five suspects, including two teens being tried as adults, are facing charges like felony murder and aggravated assault. Today’s preliminary hearing is where prosecutors must show there’s enough evidence to keep those charges in place.
This all stems from the July 2nd shooting inside Oglethorpe Mall that left three people hurt from gunshot wounds and one woman, Olislene “Tina” Smith, dead from heart complications intensified by the chaos.
Authorities arrested six suspects and five of them are in court today at 2 p.m. Investigators believe several of them may have gang ties, and the district attorney has already asked for help from the state attorney general. During earlier hearings, several suspects were denied bond, including Aujauwan Hymon and 16-year-old Dahmil Johnson, who a judge said was caught on video with a gun.
Today’s hearing is key: it’s the first time the state must present evidence in open court to prove the charges should stick. If the judge finds probable cause, the case moves forward toward a possible indictment.
will be inside the courtroom this afternoon and bring you updates as the hearing unfolds.