Date: 03-27-2015

Case Style: State of Alabama v. Joyce Hardin Garrard

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Court: Circuit Court, Etowah County, Alabama

Plaintiff's Attorney: Carol Griffith

Defendant's Attorney: Dani Bone and Richard Rhea

Description: Gadsden, AL - The State of Alabama charged Joyce Hardin Garrard, 49, with capital murder in the running death of her 9-year-old granddaughter.

The defense claimed that she did not mean to harm the girl while she was punishing her for telling a lie.

The State alleged that Garrard caused the death of Savannah Hardin in February of 2012 by making her run and carry wood for hours as punishment for a lie about candy. The child eventually has a seizure and died three days later in a hospital.

The child's mother has also be indicted for failing to protect Savannah.

Outcome: Defendant was guilty of capital murder. The jury recommended that Mrs. Garrard be sentenced to life in prison.

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