The trial for a man charged with killing his mistress and burning her body in a Gwinnett County park is set to begin this week, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office said.

Charmane Demetrius Goins is charged with murder, felony murder and aggravated assault in connection with the death of 26-year-old Lauren Taylor, who was from Dalton and lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the time of her death.

Taylor's body was found by a couple walking their dog in Deshong Park in unincorporated Stone Mountain in October 2014. Her body had been covered in gasoline and set on fire at the park after she was already dead. Her cause of death was determined to be strangulation, police said at the time.

Charmane Demetrius Goins will face trial this week for charges of murder, felony murder and aggravated assault.

Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office

icon to expand image

Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office

Goins, who was 37 when he was arrested for Taylor’s death in December 2014, had initially served as a mentor to Taylor, helping her find jobs and lending her money. But the relationship became sexual, a police officer testified at Goins’ preliminary hearing in 2015. Taylor allegedly threatened to tell Goins’ wife about the affair, the officer said.

Jury selection begins Monday morning and trial will follow immediately after the jury is set.

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

In other news:

Police are actively searching for the man they said tried to force his way inside the woman's home.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The tree that led to the death of a 10-year-old girl in Atlanta fell on the 1400 block of Mims Street, the fire department said. (Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Featured

A new poll from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution explored what Georgians thought about the first 100 days in office of President Donald Trump’s second term. Photo illustration by Philip Robibero/AJC

Credit: Philip Robibero/AJC