THOMASVILLE — A Thomas County grand jury will convene in late October after a cessation ordered in mid-March by the Georgia Supreme Court.

A Supreme Court press release states: “As explained in the last extension order, this broad prohibition cannot continue, even if the pandemic continues, because our judicial system, and the criminal justice system in particular, must have some capacity to resolve cases by indictment and trial.”

Jury trials remain suspended in Georgia.

Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brad Shealy said grand jury sessions in Brooks and Echols counties probably will not convene soon. 

“For Thomas, Colquitt and Lowndes, we’re got to move forward,” he said.

A grand jury will convene in Thomas County on Monday, Oct 26.

Instead of in-person questioning of potential grand jurors, questionnaires will be sent to the individuals to ensure they are qualified to serve on a grand jury. Questionnaires will provide a phone number to call 24 hours before the session convenes to relay that a grand juror does not have COVID-19 symptoms.

Grand jury sessions usually are conducted in a room on the first floor at the the Thomas County Judicial Center. Shealy said the room is too small for social-distancing.

The October session will take place in a courtroom at the building. Grand jurors will be required to wear masks.

“We’re going to be taking these precautions,” Shealy said. 

Thomas County has a backlog of 120 to 140 cases. Shealy said 25 to 30 cases have been added each month while grand jury sessions have been prohibited.

The list of potential grand jurors is generated by a state-level panel from people who have driver licenses and/or are registered voters.

Alerts occur when a name is that of a convicted felon, the district attorney said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820