Clayton County State Court accepts multiple pleas, grants bench warrants and orders sentences on March 3 arraignment and jail calendars

Judge Tammy Long Hayward presided over the Clayton County State Court arraignment and jail calendars on March 3, 2026, handling a mix of bench-warrant forfeitures, nolle prosequi requests and negotiated pleas.

The court granted bench-warrant bond forfeitures where the state requested them, and the state moved to nolle prosequi several cases, which the court approved. Judge Hayward also directed counsel-client conferences in Zoom breakout rooms for several arraignments when defendants were appearing remotely.

Several defendants entered pleas that the court accepted. Lakisha Lakia Langford pleaded no contest to criminal trespass and loitering/prowling; the court imposed 12 months with 31 days to serve (credit for time served), the balance suspended, a stay-away order from HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport unless ticketed, and a $200 suspended fine to run concurrent with the sentence. Branton Griffin pleaded no contest to criminal trespass and obstructing an officer; related counts, including a small marijuana possession count, were nol prossed; the court accepted the plea and imposed 12 months with 25 days to serve (credit) and a suspended fine.

On a petition for revocation, the court addressed Kevin Bernard Borums positive alcohol test. Probation recommended 13 days credit for time served, return to probation with drug testing at each report and attendance at one community-support meeting per week; the judge accepted that recommendation and ordered the conditions.

Adrian Tilly pleaded guilty to reckless driving (count 4) under a negotiated offer; counts 1 3 were dismissed. The court accepted the plea and imposed a 12-month sentence with a short period of custody credited to time served, ordered completion of a drug-and-alcohol evaluation and treatment if recommended, a risk-reduction program, 240 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine (noting the higher total with surcharges).

Keith Gatewoods probation revocation hearing resulted in a 90-day revocation with credit for time served. The judge ordered a package of reentry-oriented conditions: obtain a birth certificate and Social Security card within 30 days, seek employment, enroll in the family-violence intervention program once able, and warned that further contact with the victim could lead to additional consequences. The court stated the case would close after the 90 days if Gatewood complies.

Brooklyn Jackson entered First Offender pleas to pistol-pointing and simple assault counts. The state recommended and the court accepted concurrent First Offender dispositions: 12 months, 2 days to serve (credit), balance probated, 40 hours of community service, surrender of the firearm, and no contact with the victim. The court indicated probation supervision fees would be suspended while the defendant completes conditions.

Larry Bennett, who has a MARTA suspension, entered a no-contest plea to a criminal-trespass charge tied to transit rules; the court accepted credit for time served, suspended the balance, and ordered he not return to the airport station and to comply with the MARTA suspension.

Traffic and related pleas were handled: Ade Gerard Eisen entered a no-contest plea to no-insurance (other counts nol prossed) with a $200 suspended fine recommended by the state and accepted by the court; Jamal Shaquille Hooks appeared by Zoom on speeding and related charges, declined the state recommendation and entered a not-guilty plea while saying he intended to hire counsel; the court set a May arraignment calendar date and ordered notice to be mailed.

Domestic-violence and assault pleas were also accepted. Richard Douglas Kimball pleaded guilty to battery-family-violence (other counts merged); the court sentenced him to 12 months with 180 days to serve and probated the balance, ordered anger-management and no contact with the victim, and suspended supervision fees because he is indigent. Renardo Contrell Gilmore entered a guilty plea to simple assault and a no-contest plea to criminal trespass; the court imposed short jail credit, probated balance, 40 hours community service, anger-management, a substance-evaluation requirement and no-contact conditions.

Judge Hayward repeatedly framed sentencing as both a punitive and rehabilitative moment, urging defendants to use probation and community programs to avoid future incarceration. On several occasions the judge gave specific practical instructions (for example, how to obtain driver-improvement courses through the Georgia Department of Driver Services and how to provide proof of insurance to the state for an arraignment dismissal).

The court concluded after resolving pleas and motions, directing counsel to follow up on probation paperwork and stating the clerk would circulate notices for future calendar dates.

Next procedural steps noted on the record included scheduled follow-up appointments or placement of cases on future arraignment/motion calendars where defendants requested continuances or said they would hire counsel.