Crime & Safety

Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Suwanee Man's Conviction, Life Sentence

Georgia's Supreme Court upheld Monday the murder conviction and life sentence of a Suwanee man, who was found guilty of killing his girlfriend in 2007.

Authorities say David Robert Norton shot his girlfriend, Amy Lee Ayer, in the head, and then attempted to conceal the crime by setting fire to her Gwinnett County home in October 2007.

Norton later appealed his conviction for a number of reasons, including the fact that he was under the influence of drugs during his police interview and confession, and that his counsel was ineffective.

In general, the Supreme Court said that Norton did not prove any of his assertions. As related to his confession, for example, the Georgia Supreme Court said:

"The mere fact that Norton may have been somewhat intoxicated at the time of the interview does not automatically render evidence thereof inadmissible."

To read the full decision, click here.


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