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Awaiting decisionGeorgia v. Colin Gray
Will Colin Gray win a new trial?
Where the case stands
New-trial motion filed August 7, 2026 in Barrow County, on general grounds (verdict against evidence/weight/law); follows the July 2026 15-year sentence.
Background
The first father convicted of second-degree murder for a school shooting committed by his son — Colt Gray, the Apalachee High School shooter, sentenced to life without parole in July 2026. A landmark parental-liability prosecution.
Charges
- Convicted July 2026 on 27 counts, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children
- Sentenced to 15 years (State sought 80)
The arguments
Prosecution/State: The jury's verdict was well supported: Gray gave his son access to the rifle despite clear warning signs.
Defense: The verdict is against the weight of the evidence; a general-grounds new-trial motion asks the judge to sit as a "thirteenth juror."
The record
- Trial record. Evidence at trial concerned Gray's provision of the firearm and knowledge of his son's deteriorating state (as covered by CNN/AP/ABC).
The line-setting read at the time this market opened
General-grounds new-trial motions are routinely filed and rarely granted; this one has not yet been argued — the longest-odds NOT on the board.
Awaiting decision — Ruling on the new-trial motion; no hearing or ruling date has been announced. The ruling is posted here, and on the board, the moment it's confirmed by two or more independent news organizations.
Sources
- CBS Atlanta — Gray asks for new trial (Aug. 2026)
- AJC — new-trial motion
- CNN — sentencing (July 30, 2026)
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