The Georgia Supreme Court on Nov. 8 will hear oral arguments in Jonathan Tavarus Evans’ appeal of his convictions in Richmond County for murder and other crimes and also for his life sentence without the possibility of parole that stems from the shooting death of Jamirus Wright.
Another man was also injured in that shooting.
Following his trial in Richmond County court, Evans filed a motion for a new trial, which was denied.
On appeal, Evans argues that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to present exculpatory evidence (or evidence that would clear him from guilt) supporting his sole defense that the shooting was justified and in self-defense.
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The State, represented in this appeal by the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General of Georgia, contends in its response that Evans’s trial counsel made the strategic decision not to present the evidence at trial and that his counsel had a reasonable basis for that decision. The State also argues that the decision by Evans’s trial counsel not to present the evidence did not unfairly prejudice the jury.
Brian Steel will represent Evans in the oral arguments. Representing the state will be Jared T. Williams, Augusta Judicial Circuit district attorney; Joshua B. Smith, assistant district attorney; Christopher M. Carr, Georgia attorney general; Beth A. Burton, deputy attorney general; Paula K. Smith, senior assistant attorney general; and Emily R. Polk, assistant attorney general.
