Teen Accused of Killing Parents Seeks Trial Delay Over New Evidence

A teenager accused of fatally shooting her mother and stepfather is requesting a delay in her upcoming trial, citing newly discovered evidence. Sarah Grace Patrick, now 18, was arrested for allegedly killing Kristin Brock and James Brock on February 20, 2025, when she was just 16 years old. The incident occurred at the family home in Carrollton, Georgia, with Patrick herself calling emergency services to report the deaths.

Patrick's defense attorney, Shawn Hoover, recently stepped into the case after her previous public defender left the office. He argued before Judge Dustin Hightower on Monday that his team needs more time to prepare due to a significant amount of new evidence that has only recently come to light. This includes concerns over the chain of custody and an officer's "hunch" regarding a potential pawned firearm.

Hoover explained that one of the officers involved had suspicions about a gun possibly used in the crime being pawned, leading to further investigation and testing by another individual who possessed the weapon temporarily. However, Hoover emphasized that his team was unaware of this information until recently, indicating they require additional time for thorough preparation.

Prosecutor Michael Parrish countered Hoover's claims, asserting that multiple weapons were tested during standard investigative procedures and ruled out as potential murder weapons. He argued against Patrick’s request for a delay, stating that the state has been prepared for trial since January and has no evidence suggesting otherwise.

Judge Hightower acknowledged both sides' arguments but requested time to review previous court documents and transcripts where both parties had previously declared readiness for trial. The judge promised to make a decision by Wednesday afternoon regarding whether to grant the continuance or proceed as scheduled with jury selection on August 3rd.

Patrick, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault, remains in custody following previous denials of bond requests by Judge Hightower. The case continues to draw significant attention due to its tragic nature and the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding it.