COVINGTON, Ga. – A Mexican citizen charged with the first murder in Newton County in 2018 made his first court appearance Monday morning.
Miguel Angel Garcia-Martinez, 32, listened through an interpreter as Probate Judge Melanie Bell read the list of charges against him in the courtroom at the Newton County Jail.
Garcia-Martinez was arrested Saturday for an afternoon murder on Russell Drive on the east side of the county. The victim has not yet been identified.
In addition to murder charges, Garcia-Martinez also is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony — all felonies — and pointing a pistol at another person. A grand jury will consider the felony charges against Garcia-Martinez at a later date.
Bell, the county’s chief magistrate, explained bond would be set at a later time. She said if bond is denied, Garcia-Martinez would be entitled to a probable-cause hearing at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Newton County Judicial Center.
Garcia-Martinez asked for the court’s help to apply for a public defender.
As a Mexican citizen, Garcia-Martinez will have the right to have a representative of his home nation’s consulate at court proceedings.
The Sheriff’s Office website lists Garcia-Martinez as homeless from Conyers.
Managing Editor Jackie Gutknecht and Editor and Publisher David Clemons contributed to this report.
