Longest Prison Sentence in History of Georgia
by Brant and Kollie, two robbers in Gwinnet County Georgia receive longest prison sentence in history of Georgia.
It was handed down on August, 16 by Gwinnett Superior Court Judge Debra Turner. Judge Turner is known in Gwinnett County for handing out harsh sentences, but some thought it was excessive for someone who is not a preying pedophile or serial killer.
Investigators say Ryan Brant 28, and Jeffrey Kollie 25, forced their way into a Snellville home in October 2005.
They shot the husband, shattering his arm then tied the wife up with duct tape. They found the 6 year old daughter hiding in the closet, held a gun to her head and demanded the couple’s ATM card.
A few weeks later they robbed two restaurants in Snellville. In one, Brant and Kollie made the patrons take off most of their clothes, tied them up with duct tape and cord, then went to the bar and had drinks.
“I would not say the sentence was too harsh,” said Lewis, who was fired by Kollie when the two had a disagreement. The purpose was to make sure these two never get out of prison.
The assistant district attorney, Lisa Jones, who handled the case said, “I was not surprised at the sentence; throughout the trial they showed no remorse.” Wystan Getz, who defended Kollie, said, ”I would be upset if my client did not get a fair trial, but Judge Turner was very fair and even handed during the trial.
Georgia public defender criticized the sentence in his legal blog. “The sentence is unduly harsh,” wrote Levin, to shut off all sense of hope for two men who did not kill or rape will do more harm than good. “they will rot in prison at a substantial cost to the taxpayers, who will never see a return on the expense.”
Gwinnett Attorney Rick Stepp representing Kollie on an appeal of conviction said the long sentence may be part of his appeal. “A long sentence like this has to be scrutinized, because this sentence is a humdinger.”
Brant and Kollie were sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences plus 265 years, the longest sentence in Georgia history by more than fifty years. Before the trial they were offered a plea bargain of 40 years in prison and refused.
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Post CommentHarold Cook
On September 2, 2007 at 11:28 am
That is a humdinger of a sentence,to long in my opinion. Killers are walking the streets that only served a few years.
Mandy
On September 6, 2007 at 3:04 pm
That sentence is to long. They did a horrible thing but nobody was killed.I think a 5 year sentence at most would have been enough.
Brian Steeples
On September 8, 2007 at 7:26 pm
The sentence is not justified. It will be overturned.
Harley Cornwell
On September 9, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Thank you for bringing this to our attention,what a travisty of justice.
Hannah
On September 19, 2007 at 6:57 pm
A great article and interesting. I learn something new everyday.
Amos
On October 18, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. I don’t say they should get off wothout paying for their crime but that is over kill.
Tulen
On October 20, 2007 at 2:08 pm
They are criminals but they didn’t kill anyone.It is over kill.
George
On November 14, 2007 at 12:05 am
Anytime a woman judge is going to consider what sentence to give to a man, you can just about bet the guy will be going away for a long time. I’ve been a lawyer for many years and I can say that my worst experiences in the practice have been with women lawyers.
Ruby Hawk
On December 10, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Thank you everyone for your opinion. I appreciate all your comments.
Mingo
On January 25, 2008 at 6:30 pm
That\’s way over the top. Killers get off with two or three years at times.
Melanie Dalton
On March 11, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Guess you had to be there huh? It wasn’t enough they shot my husband at the front door for no reason…not enough for them to put a gun to my child’s head…(BTW..she is NOT dead but still has nightmares every single night)..not enough to threaten to rape and kill my daughter in front of me if I call the police…not enough I’m out 70K I’ve WORKED for…not enough they made my daughter face them AGAIN in court when they knew they were guilty…NOPE..the sentence is not enough. Too bad you all couldn’t have been there…bet your story is different when it is YOUR family huh???
Roger
On June 1, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I agree. It is so unfair that these poor victims of society just had to go and rob this family.
Of course, since it was my sister and her family. I just found out that my niece STILL has nightmares about, then those that feel sorry for these two punks aren’t GOOD enough to kiss my ass.
Meme, I love you, Gary and Sarah. God I hope these punks never see the light of day.
No one was raped huh? Well hopefully one of these punks will have a cell mate correct that real soon.
Roger
On June 1, 2008 at 8:22 pm
While I’m at it. For those that think this sentece was “to long”
THAT’S TOO LONG STUPID.
non ya
On July 30, 2008 at 2:40 pm
damn that way to long
Nicole
On October 22, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I don’t know anyone of you all, so coming from the outside of this situation I think it’s pretty fair to say that we all have to pay the price for our decisions good or bad. They didn’t have to make that “bad choice” and that family should not have had to experience what they did. Especially, they should not have to be cursed out by someone that is obviously too ignorant to see that you have to accept the consequences they received for their actions whether harsh or not! They took that risk and accepted the risk when they chose to do what they did! Grow up! Yes, it does seem excessive, but they have to keep raising the sentences for crimes because obviously the current ones are NOT discouraging enough!
Michael
On February 15, 2009 at 7:27 pm
On a life sentence for a series of armed robberies these guys would probably do about 21 – 30 years. Judge Turner just didn’t want them out – ever! Check the Georgia parole board for life sentence lengths for multiple armed robbery with injury. I only know them since I am a criminal lawyer who follows what happens to defendants locked up for such crimes. I really wish some all knowing entity out there would get rid of the lie that a life sentence is 7 years — especially in Georgia!
I was reading some Georgia laws from 1857 the other day. You used to get death penalty for night time burglary and horse stealing but you could put up mitigating evidence on the horse stealing. Also, whipping was a punishment for crime but 39 licks were the maximum allowed at any one time. And you had to pay the sheriff to do the whipping.
Not working and hanging out was a crime that could put you on the chain gang for a year. Or you could pay $200 and get out of that. Kind of like how the rich paid their way out of serving in the civil war.
Mike From Miami
On April 26, 2009 at 2:31 am
I live in Fulton County Georgia Hey IT IS WHAT IT IS
Sabrena John
On June 15, 2009 at 8:43 am
I am so happy they gave these guys such a harsh punishment. At least we know they won’t do it again, not in this lifetime. Maybe this will stop somone else from trying the same thing. I happened to work at the school that the sweet little girl went to, and it was so sad to see her come to school with her mom with bruises from being taped up & not knowing how her Dad would be okay. Not knowing if they would catch the idiots. Having to relive the nightmares over & over. I thank God that they weren’t killed!! They will never forget this tragedy, but neither will the guys that committed the crime. Lesson learned…
Donald from Lakeland FL
On July 22, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I am a student studying criminal justice and although they did deserve a harsh punishment, I believe the sentences where too hard, I believe they where made an example of.I believe 15-20 years would have been enough. What got them was holding the gun to that 6 year old girls head.
Ruby Hawk
On August 1, 2009 at 12:00 am
Thank you all my friends for your interest and comments. I’m so sorry for the horrible experience that this family went through at the hands of these criminals. It is tragic.I hope the little girl is doing well and nightmares are a thing of he past.
Mike
On September 10, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Wow this was my judge