In Savannah, Georgia, the courtroom was filled with a tense atmosphere on Monday as five of the six individuals charged in the notorious Oglethorpe Mall shooting case made their first court appearance since their indictment nearly two months ago. Each defendant, flanked by their legal representation, stood before Chatham County Superior Court Judge John Morse and entered a plea of not guilty. They collectively requested that their case be decided by a jury trial, setting the stage for a potentially high-profile courtroom battle.

The case has garnered significant attention due to the serious nature of the charges, which include felony murder and gang-related crimes. Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Jones had previously emphasized the strength of the evidence when she spoke on July 30, asserting that all defendants should be tried together. “I care about resources,” DA Jones remarked, highlighting the collaborative effort required for a case of this magnitude, “It’s all hands-on deck because this is an all hands-on deck situation.”

The defendants—Royce Haynes, Theron Robbins, Johnathan Jones, Aujawan Hymon, and Dahmil Johnson—are now preparing for their day in court, where a jury will determine their future. The charges they face are severe and multifaceted, spanning murder, gang involvement, property damage, aggravated assault, and illegal possession of weapons. These charges are encapsulated in a sprawling 71-count indictment that was issued on October 1. As the community watches closely, the upcoming trial promises to delve deep into the events surrounding the incident and the alleged criminal activities of those involved.

“I care about resources,” said DA Jones, ” It’s all hands-on deck because this is an all hands-on deck situation.”

Royce Haynes, Theron Robbins, Johnathan Jones, Aujawan Hymon and Dahmil Johnson are now set to let a Chatham County jury decide their fate. They face murder, gang, property damage, aggravated assault and illegal weapon charges in a 71-count indictment handed down Oct. 1.

Their next court date is Feb. 4, 2026, and until then they will remain behind bars previously being denied bond.

Franklin James is the only defendant who did not appear Monday.

He is due in court Dec. 2.