Defendants Found Guilty in Waffle House Armed Robbery

 

 

For Immediate Release:

Douglas County District Attorney David McDade reports a guilty verdict in the State’s case against Skylar Hawkins, Octavious Woods, and Cordell Ward for the Armed Robbery on February 26, 2008 at the Waffle House on Lee Road. “Jury trials are an important part of our job and I appreciate the Douglas County citizens who served last week and rendered a verdict that holds these criminals accountable for their actions,” stated McDade.

After a week long trial, a Douglas County jury found each defendant guilty of 3 counts of Armed Robbery and one count of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.

A fourth co-defendant, Logan White, pled guilty to the Armed Robbery in December and agreed to give truthful testimony during the trial.

According to the evidence presented at trial by Assistant District Attorney Eddie Barker, on the evening of February 26, 2008 the defendants all came to Douglas County from Atlanta with the intent to commit an Armed Robbery. The defendants entered the Waffle House on Lee Road and ordered food. After eating the food, the defendants exited the restaurant and returned to their vehicle in the parking lot where they finalized their plans for the Armed Robbery. Logan White stated during the trial that he had a 380 Highpoint pistol in his possession and Octavious Woods was armed with a crowbar.

White, Woods and Ward then re-entered the Waffle House. White and Woods both brandished their weapons and demanded money from the three people inside the restaurant. Ward stood at the entrance way of the Waffle House and served as the lookout, while Hawkins participated as the getaway driver.

After robbing the cook, waitress and customer inside of the Waffle House, the defendants fled the scene in their vehicle and got on to Interstate 20 going toward Atlanta. However, Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies quickly caught up with the defendants, and after a brief chase on the interstate, the deputies were able to perform a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle. The defendants attempted to flee on foot, however, three out of the four were quickly apprehended. The fourth defendant was picked up the next day.

“I am grateful that the jury saw what we saw in the evidence,” stated Barker. “Their verdict speaks for itself and I am thankful they were able to say to these defendants, as well as any other criminal, that this crime will not be accepted in Douglas County.”

Superior Court Judge David T. Emerson presided over the trial and has set the sentencing date for February 23, 2009.

“My office remains committed to representing victims of crime and the law abiding citizens of Douglas County, and I am pleased with the outcome of this trial,” concluded McDade.