The attorney for murder suspect Kaiser Suggs told reporters in Georgia he’s “shocked but not surprised” that nobody noticed his client had been missing. For months. He knew where Suggs was but didn’t have any obligation to do anything about it. It’s not his job to guard the prisoners. If Clayton County accidentally set him loose, that’s their problem.
Attorney backs released inmate
Kaiser Suggs may be a murder suspect but he’s never been convicted of any crime at all. Not yet, attorney Anastasios Manettas reminds. On Tuesday evening, February 28, Suggs voluntarily reported back into custody at the Fulton County Jail. He’s been running around loose since early November but he didn’t escape. He was officially released, all fair and legal.
Clayton County’s mistake wasn’t his responsibility to correct and he had no legal obligation to make things easier for Fulton County, who was supposed to be holding him.
Suggs is facing “multiple felony murder charges.” When the 24-year-old went to court in Clayton County, he was only on loan from Fulton County. The case in the neighboring county was dismissed and the jail simply released him.
Kaiser Suggs has been on the run since November when he was released from the Clayton County Jail. https://t.co/ZjYWrmWLWC
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) March 1, 2023
Nobody noticed he was supposed to have been shipped back to Fulton. He slipped right through the cracks. Attorney Mannettas points out, “he wasn’t hiding, they simply let him leave the Clayton jail when they shouldn’t have, and that was that.”
Suggs, Manettas relates, knew perfectly well “he should’ve been behind bars.” He instantly called his attorney, who told him to enjoy his freedom while he had the chance, just don’t do anything stupid and don’t leave town.
The lawyer was totally aware that “there’s never any burden on the defendant.” That means, “there’s really no requirement that you turn yourself in.” His client acted more responsibly than his jailers. “He was in Atlanta this entire time, and we frankly knew where he was, but just no one came and got him.”
Assault charges in Clayton
Mr. Suggs had been a guest of the grey bar hotel in Fulton County, accused in “a Union City home invasion where a man was killed.” He’s apparently a busy guy and “also faced aggravated assault charges in Clayton County.” He was shipped there for trial and never came back. Meanwhile, nobody noticed.
The attorney was shocked his client was set free but even more surprised it took until this Tuesday to notice he was missing.
Two Clayton employees were equally surprised to find themselves on administrative leave for their mistake. Thankfully, Suggs isn’t a dangerous killer who took advantage of his unexpected release to go on a spree.
Georgia murder suspect accidentally released from jail months ago turns self in – https://t.co/9pyZxaxIzR
A murder suspect is back behind bars in Georgia Tuesday night after an accidental release from jail in November left him on the run for months.Kaiser Suggs, who is facin… pic.twitter.com/GOYnYmAvMw— Muhamamd-Siddique (@MuhamamdSiddiq1) March 1, 2023
Because he was so brave and honest about turning himself back in, Manettas is hoping the judge will release him back out until his trial. “He’s never been violent. He’s never committed a crime,” his attorney insists. None he’s been convicted of, that is.
It’s not surprising that when the local news station made the attempt, neither sheriff’s office would return their calls about the snafu. They’re too busy lining up their own attorney. One thing is certain, the young man’s cooperation and staying out of trouble while on unsupervised and unofficial parole should count in his favor if he is found guilty of involvement in the murder.
Even criminals deserve to get what’s fair and just, not have the whole book thrown at them, if they don’t deserve it. Robbery and murder are two entirely different things. Suggs could have easily found himself in over his head in the wrong place at the wrong time. He deserves the benefit of doubt until a jury decides otherwise.
