Georgia’s highest court walked back their decision to reverse the felony murder charge of a woman whose husband shot and killed a Clayton County police officer.
In an opinion on Monday, the Georgia Supreme Court overturned an Oct. 31 Supreme Court decision that vacated Lisa Lebis' felony murder charge in the slaying of Sean Callahan outside a Motel 6 in Stockbridge.
In their new ruling, the Court cited reasonable evidence that Lebis jointly possessed the Glock .357 that her husband, Tremaine, was carrying at the time that he shot and killed Callahan in December 2012.
MORE: Rookie cop’s career dream ends in death
MORE: Wife of slaim man in Clayton cop killing guilty of murder
Justice Britt Grant wrote that Lebis’ knowledge of Tremaine’s possession of multiple guns and his felon status, make her a co-conspirator of her husband’s crime and “do not help her escape responsibility.”
She also noted that the Lebis’ “had together hidden out in the motel room with a stockpile of weapons in order to escape or defend against Tremaine’s arrest” on a warrant.
Credit: Clayton County Police Department
Credit: Clayton County Police Department
The Lebis’ were staying in a Motel 6 in Clayton County, when police were called to remove the couple for failure to pay.
While being handcuffed, Tremaine escaped custody and ran behind the motel. He was unsuccessfully tasered by Officer Waymondo Brown, before fleeing. Tremaine then pulled out the Glock .357 from a fanny pack, shooting and killing Callahan, a rookie officer who had been on the job just four months.
Both officers shot Tremaine, who died at the scene.
Officers found an unloaded 12-gauge shotgun, and a loaded 9 mm in the Lebis’ room. Investigators also found several knives, numerous rocket motors with attached razor blades, a handmade silencer, and multiple magazines of ammo, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations case file.
Credit: Ga. Department of Corrections
Credit: Ga. Department of Corrections
Two charges of obstruction were also reversed for insufficient evidence.
Lebis’ convictions of two other misdemeanor counts of obstruction, and her convictions for possession of firearms or dangerous weapons were upheld.
She now awaits a new resentencing trial.
About the Author
