Crime & Safety

Petition Asks Cobb D.A. to Drop Murder Charges Against Justin Harris

Cobb police have charged a Marietta man with felony murder after he allegedly left his 22-month-old boy in an SUV all day on Wednesday.

A petition started Thursday encouraging the Cobb County District Attorney's Office to drop murder charges against the Marietta man jailed after he allegedly accidentally left his 22-month-old child in a broiling SUV on Wednesday has garnered more than 750 signatures as of mid-morning Friday.

The Change.org petition from Parents Support Parents indicates it will be delivered to Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds. It’s titled, “Drop Murder Chargers Against Justin Harris for Son’s Accidental Death.” 

It reads:

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Justin Harris, the father of a 22-month-old boy left day in a car has been charged with murder and child cruelty. He is being held without bond and is currently still in jail. This is a horrible accident. The father loved his son immensely. These were very loving parents who are devastated. Justin already has to live with a punishment worse than death. Sending what's left of his family in to bankruptcy to defend him against these charges is only bringing more hardship to a family that will never recover from the loss of a child. There is nothing to indicate that the father intentionally left his child in the car, so a charge of murder is not appropriate.  

Sign this petition to tell the D.A to drop the murder charges.

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A sampling of some of the comments:

“This is unjust. There is no way to prove a motive in the short 20 hours that you took. This man's life is destroyed. Charging him with murder for a tragic accident and ruining what's left of his family is not just.” - Sarah Mosley, Mableton

“This man's character is not consistent with this crime. I've known Ross for over 10 years and he is a selfless man who loved people and loved his family more. NOTHING in his life even hints at this behavior. Everyone who knows him would echo these feelings. Please have mercy on a devastated father.” – William Overstreet, Austin, Texas

“This man is already in his own "personal" hell, as is his family. Where is the intent?” – Sara Huff, Atlanta


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