Clayton County arraignments: pleas, PTI offers and bench-warrant forfeitures on April 3 calendar

Clayton County State Court Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened a virtual arraignment calendar April 3, 2025, and walked defendants through their rights, plea options and potential penalties before the court took pleas, continued matters and granted forfeitures.

"The arraignment calendar is possibly the first time that you have had the opportunity for your case to be heard before the trial court," Judge Tammy Long Hayward told people on the call, emphasizing the right to counsel and the Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate oneself.

The most immediately consequential outcomes included a mix of plea acceptances, suspended fines, probation terms and orders to forfeit weapons. The court accepted negotiated pleas and dismissals in several cases: the state entered no-bill or no-pros motions in some files; multiple defendants were granted continuances; and bench-warrant bond forfeitures were ordered for defendants who did not appear.

Key outcomes and short-term directions

• Felicia M. Knight (2021CR05989): Judge Hayward accepted a no-contest (nolo) plea to one count (count 2). The court crossed count 1; count 2 carries a $100 fine (total with surcharges $151.50). The judge gave up to 60 days to pay and instructed Knight to send required contact information through the court chat so the sentencing paperwork could be emailed.

• Britney Marie Larkins (2022CR01964): Larkins entered a no-contest plea to an erratic lane-change charge (count 2); count 1 (distracted driving) was nol-prossed based on a hands-free device photo. The court assessed a $100 fine (total with surcharges $151.50) and directed payment at the traffic window on the second floor.

• Isaac Imetasi (2022CR07066): Imetasi pleaded nolo to a no-taillights offense (count 2); counts 1 and 3 were nol-prossed. The court accepted a suspended $100 fine in light of time served (86 days) and released him.

• Tijay (Tige) Charles Thompson (2022CR01085): Thompson pled guilty to speeding more than 35 mph over the limit. Judge Hayward accepted the plea and imposed 12 months of probation, a $500 fine suspended (credited for jail time served), and required completion of an approved driver-improvement course; probation terminates on proof of course completion.

• Joseph Michael Reed (2022CR00690): Reed pleaded guilty to two counts (count 2 and count 4); counts 1 and 3 were nol-prossed. The court ordered 12 months of probation (counts concurrent), forfeiture of the firearm listed in the officer's report, and a gun-safety course; probation may terminate early on proof of course completion.

• Marika (Marika) Rochelle Dawson (2021CR08244): Dawson pleaded guilty to battery (count 1); a related simple-battery count merged. The court imposed 12 months probation, a $300 fine (total with surcharges $444), 40 hours of community service, required anger-management counseling and ordered no violent or harassing contact with the victim. Judge Hayward placed Dawson in a breakout room with probation staff to complete intake paperwork.

• Carmen (Aaron/Harmony) Porter (2022CR00711): The defendant entered a negotiated plea. The court accepted a plea resulting in 12 months to serve with 79 days credit for time served; the balance was suspended on the condition she not return to the Walmart at 11449 Tara Boulevard in Lovejoy, Georgia.

• David Michael Murphy (2021CR00690): Murphy entered nolo pleas in two counts (counts 2 and 4); the state nol-prossed counts 1 and 3. The state recommended and the court accepted fines (count 2: $500; count 4: $100) and the defendant arranged to pay at the courthouse that day.

• Pretrial diversion (PTI) and no-pros: Bruce Kirby Bates was continued for a status after referral to pretrial diversion (orientation set April 2025). David Frazier had completed pretrial diversion and the court prepared a no-cost order to process his dismissal. In a few cases the state announced no-pros (Pierre Nunez’s matter was formally nol-prossed).

• Continuances and appointments: Multiple defendants were continued to other calendars for motions or because counsel had conflicts; the court frequently appointed the firm Lister Holt & Dennis to represent indigent defendants where requested. Judge Hayward repeatedly reminded defendants that attorney entries and conflicts must be resolved before substantive hearings.

• Bench-warrant bond forfeitures: The court granted bench-warrant bond forfeitures for several defendants who did not appear when called (examples in the record include Kenrick Eric Johnson, Amir Armand Cowley and Michael Dion Parks). In other cases, the court recalled or declined to pursue a warrant when the state opted to nol-pros instead.

Why this matters

Arraignment calendars are the point at which many misdemeanor and lower-level felony matters are resolved quickly by plea, diverted, or moved forward to motions or trial. The April 3 session produced several immediate dispositions (pleas and probation conditions) that will affect defendants’ records, licensing (including commercial driver license consequences that the court repeatedly flagged) and, in some matters, custody of firearms.

What to expect next

Defendants set for motions calendars or for continuances were given specific return dates; others were directed to complete conditions (payments, proof of courses, PTI intake) and report to probation. Judge Hayward warned repeatedly that failing to meet payment or reporting deadlines can trigger arrest warrants and revoked bonds.

Votes at a glance (selected dispositions announced April 3)

- Felicia M. Knight (2021CR05989): Plea accepted (nolo to count 2); $100 fine ($151.50 with surcharges); 60 days to pay; count 1 nol-prossed. - Britney M. Larkins (2022CR01964): Plea accepted (nolo to count 2); $100 fine ($151.50 with surcharges); count 1 nol-prossed. - Isaac Imetasi (2022CR07066): Nolo plea to count 2; counts 1 and 3 nol-prossed; $100 fine suspended due to 86 days in custody. - Tijay C. Thompson (2022CR01085): Guilty plea accepted to speeding 35+ mph over limit; 12 months probation; $500 fine suspended; driver-improvement course; probation terminates on proof of course completion. - Joseph M. Reed (2022CR00690): Guilty pleas accepted (counts 2 and 4); counts 1 and 3 nol-prossed; 12 months concurrent probation; weapon forfeiture; gun-safety course required. - Marika R. Dawson (2021CR08244): Guilty plea accepted to battery (count 1); 12 months probation; $300 fine ($444 with surcharges); 40 hours community service; anger-management course; no violent/harassing contact with victim. - Carmen (C.) Porter (2022CR00711): Negotiated plea accepted; 12 months to serve, 79 days credit for time served; balance suspended on condition of no return to specified retail location. - David M. Murphy (2021CR08510 series): Nolo pleas accepted to counts 2 and 4; counts 1 and 3 nol-prossed; fines imposed and paid or arranged. - Bruce K. Bates: Continued for status after PTI referral (orientation April 2025); status set post-orientation. - David Frazier: Pretrial diversion completed; court prepared no-cost order to process dismissal. - Multiple bench-warrant bond forfeitures granted where defendants failed to appear (examples: Kenrick E. Johnson, Amir A. Cowley, Michael D. Parks), and the court recalled or nol-prossed some matters where the state decided prosecution was not warranted.

Courtroom context and next steps

Judge Hayward repeatedly advised defendants to keep contact information current, to consult counsel before making plea decisions and to consider the consequences for driver licenses and immigration status when entering pleas. The court instructed several defendants to work with probation staff, to provide proof of course completion or to make payments at the traffic window or online, and set status or motions dates as needed.

For reporting or follow-up: court clerks will send sentencing sheets and payment instructions by email when defendants provided contact information in the Zoom chat; probation staff handled intake at the adjacent probation office for those placed on supervision.