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Mother-in-law’s murder conviction upheld

By
March 4, 2013

The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday upheld the murder conviction against Joanna Hayes, who killed her daughter-in-law in a Target parking lot in Snellville in April 2009.

Hayes, wearing a wig and fake mustache, fatally shot 26-year-old Heather Strube in the head just after Strube uttered “help” to a passing motorist. Hayes’ son and Strube were separated and getting a divorce at the time of the killing. The state Supreme Court found sufficient evidence to support Hayes’ conviction.

About the Author

Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.

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