Judge revokes bond after testimony in motion to revoke for Taj (Taj Brandon) Wedlow

Judge Tammy Long Hayward revoked the bond of Taj (Taj Brandon) Wedlow on May 13, 2025, after the state presented officer and victim testimony that the court found showed repeated violations of Wedlow’s bond conditions.

The state, through prosecutor Kevin Tipton, moved to revoke bond for two pending Clayton County cases (2024CR06670 and 2024CR06671). Officer Dalvin Freeman and a family member, Eric Wedlow, testified that Wedlow had been present at 8571 Taylor Road on multiple occasions and had contact with family members the bond order prohibited him from contacting.

Judge Hayward emphasized the bond conditions in open court and warned defense counsel that in-person appearance was required for motions to revoke bond. After hearing testimony that the defendant had been at the excluded premises and had physical contact with the alleged victim in one incident, the judge concluded the state had shown bond violations sufficient to revoke bond. "He needs to get his resident self into court within the next 20 minutes before I have to send county Uber to go get him," Hayward said at an earlier point in the hearing, admonishing the defense about in-person appearances. At the conclusion of argument, Hayward stated, "And so at this time, based on the evidence and testimony presented, Mister Wedlow's bond will be revoked. He'll be taken into custody until such time as his cases are resolved."

Testimony of Officer Freeman described responding to two incidents at the Taylor Road address: one in May 2024 in which officers reported a physical altercation, and a December 2024 incident in which the defendant was found in a backyard structure. Freeman testified he arrested Taj Wedlow after locating him in the prohibited location and that the defendant was not permitted at that address under his bond. Eric Wedlow told officers he had been struck by the defendant and that he called 911. The state introduced the original bond order as an exhibit setting out conditions that included not returning to 8571 Taylor Road and avoiding contact with specified family members.

Defense counsel, Mister Lynch, argued for continued bond and stressed that Wedlow presented himself to court, asserting the defendant sought a day in court to contest underlying charges. The state pointed to the record of repeated contact with the protected parties and the prohibited premises to justify revocation.

The court granted the state's motion to revoke. The judge ordered that Wedlow be taken into custody and remain detained pending resolution of the pending cases and any trial scheduling. No new sentencing on the underlying charges was entered at this hearing; the revocation decision affects pretrial custody only.

The hearing record lists the cases as 2024CR06670 and 2024CR06671 and identifies witnesses and officers who testified. The court noted that the defendant’s failure to follow in-person notice and to comply with bond terms contributed to the decision to revoke.

Court directions and next steps: the sheriff’s office was directed to take custody of Wedlow; the cases remain set for trial scheduling as appropriate. The judge also noted testimony and bodycam evidence from responding officers had been preserved.