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In 2017, on the day that was supposed to be a celebration of her 16th birthday, Janell Carwell vanished without a trace. Initially reported missing by her parents, the tragic turn in her case led to serious charges against her mother, Tanya Tripp, and her stepfather, Leon Tripp. Both face accusations of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and the concealment of her death.
As the trial reached its critical closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Deshala Dixon presented the state’s case to the jury. With a focus on uncovering the truth, Dixon urged jurors to meticulously consider the evidence laid before them.
Emphasizing the law’s stance, Dixon argued that all parties involved in the crime can be held accountable and face conviction. She reiterated that anyone implicated in the crime could be found guilty, reinforcing the gravity of the charges against the accused.
She asked the jury to consider the evidence and search for the truth.
She said that the law states that all that were involved in can be charged and convicted. She says all that are involved can be found guilty.
That includes all interviews with Tanya and Leon Tripp, 911 Calls along with anybody camera footage that was presented. The jury can ask to see these deliberations.
Dixon asked the jury to consider:
– The 911 Call from April 17th from Tanya Tripp
– Officer’s Body Camera footage from interviews with Tanya Tripp and Leon Tripp
– Cell phone records that were presented during testimony
Dixon explained to the Jury that since Janell’s remains were found off Golden Camp Road, the state has venue in Richmond County.
Both Leon and Tanya “have skin in this” and are both involved in and helped with the crime.
The four charges the parents face: concealing the death of another, aggravated assault family violence, felony murder and malice murder.
Leon Tripp Attorney:
Leons attorney presented her closing argument next.
She started her statement by saying “ Leon is not a murderer.” He is married to a controlling women. She stated that Leon was trying to provide and protect his family.
She stated that the biggest liar in this has been Tanya Tripp. She asked the jury consider three questions.
1. Who is telling the story
2. What does it prove?
3. Is it good enough?
His attorney said that Tanya was the one spreading the Clarks Hill story – not Leon. The attorney was referring to the statements from testimony about Leon and Janell going to Clarks Hill Lake to help a friend.
She said that we know Leon lied but it doesn’t provide why and who came up with the story.” She also stated that the shovels found in the bed of a pickup didn’t mean a crime occurred.
She stated that prosecutors did not prove his statement “ I will tell you where she is at” was a confession.
She ended with saying that Augusta has been waiting for answers and the state has not given those answers.
Tanya Tripp Attorney – Arnold Ragas – Love Lies and Leon is how he started his closing argument.
Ms. Tripp was a victim of Leon Tripp. She was a victim of Leon’s lies. He asked the jury to consider who to believe. Leon or his attorney. Mr. Ragas stated that Leon’s words said Tanya wasn’t involved.
“Tanya didn’t do shit.” Leon said Tanya didn’t do anything to Janell. Who are you going to believe Leon or the Lawyer?”
On June 9th – Leon Stated that my wife didn’t do anything wrong except be with me. He stated 4 times that “ my wife did nothing wrong.”
She is still sitting with him as a defendant – that’s the only thing she has done.
She is victim of Love Lies and Leon. And Leon knows it.
Mr. Ragas talked about Tanya’s role as a mother. She took her the dentist, went to PTO meetings and was there for Janell.
On April 16th – Tanya took her girls to church for Easter.
Tanya’s eyes don’t give much. The last 10 years she has been weighed down as being labeled as a killer of her daughter. He is asking the jury to not let her become a victim of the Law as well like she did with Leon.
Tanya’s attorney really spoke about Leon’s story and Janell left with him. He spoke with how Tanya was looking for both Leon and Janell.
He said in the words of one of the witnesses “Stop Calling my phone, Leon kidnapped your child”
“A husband that betrayed, a community that abandoned her, a daughter that forgot her.” – said her attorney.
“That’s why Tanya believed him. She chose love over logic and sometimes there is a wide gap between the two.”
Leon was the person she relied on for everything so that’s why she believed him because she loved him.
He stated the state only proved she lied about being pregnant. He argued that it’s a big leap from lying about being pregnant to killing her daughter. He stated that Leon was her everything and she wanted to keep him. He argued that is the one thing the state proved.
He is urging the jury to consider what they proved in this court room – not the rumor or the stories but proved in the court room.
He argued that it takes more to prove guilt than said she lied about being pregnant. Strange behavior is not criminal behavior, he argued.
He urged the jury to ask questions about the testimony they heard. He argued that there is no circumstantial evidence that Tanya committed malice murder, committed aggravated assault. But he stated that you have it for Leon.
Who are you going to believe – Leon or the Lawyer? He said Leon was no victim. Mr. Ragas said Tanya was a victim of Lies Love and Leon. But don’t make her a victim of the law.
ADA Dixon rebuttal
ADA Dixon talks about the timeline about the moments before Janell went missing on Easter Sunday. She spoke about her lack of activity on her phone during the time Leon said they were on the way to Atlanta. She said at 2:00 am – the phone was seen traveling to Atlanta along with the phone Leon Tripp had.
At 3:52 am – Tanya and the phone are in East Atlanta.
ADA Dixon then played Tanya’s 911 Call to the jury. She said phone records do not lie.
She then lays out the timeline of that day when Tanya reported Janell missing.
She told the jury that the community rallied around Janell Carwell. She brings up interviews where Tanya said “ Leon is my husband, not hers”.
She talked about Pastor Harden’s testimony where she spoke about Tanya not having any tears during interviews.
ADA Dixon then details the timeline about the time in May before the Tripp’s were charged.
She talked about how they switched phones to try and throw off law enforcement. It was part of the conspiracy.
ADA Dixon then played parts of Leon’s first interview with investigators. She told the jury that no one can validate that Janell made to Atlanta.
She then played a video of an interview Leon had with an investigators where he said he wanted to see his family before he closed the case. ADA Dixon said he said that because he knew was never going to see them again.
She then showed crime scene photos including the Tripp House on Tate Road to where Janell’s body was found on Golden Camp Road.
ADA Dixon also showed photos of Janell’s remains and how they were discovered.
ADA Dixon spoke how Janell was as a person and how great of a student she was. She shared her dreams of wanting to be a doctor.
She told the jury that the reason why they don’t have hard evidence in this case is because Tanya and Leon Tripp are good “murderers”. She said if they found her earlier – they could have had that evidence. They found a cord with Janell’s remains. It is the only evidence they had.
She urged the jury to not reward them for being good – for burying Janell in a place where no one would find her. Or pointing the finger at each other. ADA Dixon said they did this together.
She told the jury to remember the definition of reasonable doubt. She said the lies cover up the crime. She urged the jury not to bring personal baggage into the jury room – just seek the truth and examine the evidence.
ADA Dixon ended with after 10 years – it is time for justice for Janell and to please come back with a guilty verdict.
Deliberations have wrapped for today. They will resume Friday morning at 9 a.m.