Nearly 24 hours after The Journal-Reporter first broke this story, the Georgia Department of Corrections confirmed that Leeland Mark Braley hung himself in his cell on death row. He was found dead at 5:12 a.m. New Years Day.
The Journal-Reporter learned via anonymous sources at the Georgia Diagnostic Prison in Butts County that convicted killer Leeland Mark Braley committed suicide by hanging himself on death row overnight Dec. 31 - Jan. 1.
Convicted killer Leeland Mark Braley.
I'm sure Jerry and Cheryl will have some kind of closure knowing that Kelly can now really rest in peace.
We never know what our kin folks will end up doing,and I never say never because of not knowing.
What a waste this man was.
And I understand that Ms. Hammond was a wonderful young lady.
No good comes from hate. That's all.
Boy, my job never ends.......
We do not have all powerful knowlege of the universe and therefore cannot possibly understand the mind of God or His purpose behind things. We trust that he knows more than we possibly could.
I pray the families find peace and understanding.
I, along with others, represented Leeland at his trial. I have not forgotten for one single moment since I was assigned to that case the wonderful, promising young lady whose life was lost, nor have I ceased to grieve, EVER, for her family.
But I also grieve for the Braley family, for the parents who tried everything they could with Leeland and whose hearts were broken the day Kelli Hammond died, and for the siblings who had to live with Leeland's legacy
And no matter how horrendous the deed, I see value and the chance for grace in every single person --and I mourn the choices that Leeland made to cause such hurt to so many.
Although the Hammonds' pain will never end, I hope with all my heart that there is some measure of peace and closure to be found in this New Year.
"A United States jury says he did it and that's what matters. My job was to protect his rights, the jury's was to judge. (And yours is to report, Walter, preferably objectively)."
And thanks to those who understand what our servicemen and women fight for -- our Constitution, including its rights to fair trial for EVERYONE.
You seem to confuse withholding judgment with compassion for murderers. They are not the same. No sin is justifiable, yet they are forgivable... Even condemning someone to hell when you have no authority to do so.
May the families find peace and may God restore their hearts. The peace of God has helped many people deal with tragedy. The Amish families who lost their daughters during the school massacre are a wonderful example of this.
I am glad I am not Amish. But you should run on up there while there is a horse and buggy left. Leave all make-up and electrical or battery operated items at home. They don't allow those. OOPS, what would you take for your computer?
The system did work.
If you don't like the current system, change the system. But don't whine about one case that did follow the rules.
The strands on this website are interesting, but the local newspaper is what it is: a local small-town newspaper that reflects the local opinions and flavor. I think "two bit hoodlum" would have been better served with "cold blooded murderer." What this young man did was pure evil; did he ever attempt to apologize or even make any kind of apology to the Hammond family? Did he ever show any remorse?
Maybe this suicide is his attempt at remorse. Who knows?
I can't understand why the killer never got the death penalty; what happened with that? Did he just get life in prison?
I am curious to see if Ms. Jacobs thought this young man was guilty. I think her statement to the family was very appropriate; part of being American (even by adoption) is a fair jury and representation, but did she think the young man was guilty?
Prayers to Hammond family. God be with you.
Evidently someone sneaked in and put Anonymous on her username....I'm glad she caught that scoundrel.
And no, "two bit hoodlum", no matter how opinionated or accurate as an opinion was NOT objective journalism of any sort. Had the writer said "repeat offender" or "frequently in trouble with the law" that would have been factual and objective. Geiger's comment was 100% inappropriate and hopefully his editors will properly take him to task for it.
There is enough heat in this subject matter without have the flames fanned by a junior reporter who drew the short straw for the weekend shift.
It Mr. Geiger wants to write for the editorial page, then so be it. But he failed here in a news story.
To the original point, I do not believe there is anyone in Mr. Braley's family who believe he was innocent or even deserved any sentence other than that which he received. I would be surprised if his lawyer though he was not guilty.
A defense lawyer is required (REQUIRED) to provide a defense to the best of their ability. Even if they know their client or appointee committed the crime. They must do their utmost best to get their client off within reason. Any of us who might be charged with a crime of any level would want nothing less from our attorney.
There is NO FAULT WHATSOEVER with Braley's attorney or Braley's family. NONE.
HE DID IT. He committed this horrible crime. No doubt.
He was found guilty in a judicial system that works.
He was assigned an appropriate sentence.
He cheated justice by doing himself in. But he did, without realizing it, spare the Hammond family and his family the circus that follows an execution.
Hatred NEVER harms anyone except the hater.
I remember things like Kelli singing the song "Dream", and it makes me smile.
That is her legacy.
Not a debate on the judicial system, politics, or biased journalism.
R.I.P. Kelli. I miss you and think of you often.
He has had 11 years to show remorse, talk to his family, etc. We didn't get a chance to share the rest of our life with Kelli. He took it from us. I don't have any forgiveness for that cold blooded killer. However, my prayers go to his family. They did not wish this for our family. Knowing Kelli and the type of compassionate person she was, giving the time and the opportunity to live, she would have probably forgiven him for his wrong doings. I wish he would have killed himself years ago!
I went by Kelli's grave yesterday and for the first time I could say to her "It's over, Now you can rest in peace". It was such a relief to say that to her.
Love you Kelli, Aunt Judy - I miss you so much!
All Leeland's family grieved with them that day albeit from afar. Our prayers have been with them as well. This act was as foreign to their way of life as it was to almost anyone.
''Inmates have been upset in recent weeks over new restrictions on tobacco use and a cutback in family visits.''
What does this have to do with this story??
I am suprised somehow someway one of you did not somehow work in something negative to say about the Pike County Fire Chief as you always do with no facts to what you say.
Anyway Walter I applaud you on speaking your mind and calling this THUG a Two Bit Hoodlum.
True Christian will not commit suicide because True Saints do not "die in [their] sins" (John 8:21). Only "he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22). And, Murderers of Self are reserved for the Lake of Fire. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the Second Death" (Revelation 21:8). The Saints do not die in their sins because the Faithful God has already made provision for their success. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is Faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1Corinthians 10:13). For one to succeed with the sin of suicide, would be to utterly spurn the Grace of God. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20).
Therefore although murder is a sin, self-murder does NOT in any way invalidate ones salvation.
However, this is NOT a topic for this thread, just a clarification of Christian views since it was brought up here.
I do not know if Braley was saved and personally I doubt it. But if he asked Christ into his heart sincerely prior or after his crime, then he IS saved. Period. End of discussion.
You do not have to ask for specific forgiveness for every sin you commit. You, me, and everyone commit sins daily that we aren't even aware of. You do not lose your salvation when you sin. All sin is an abomination before God and therefore all sins are equal in that regard.
God knows the heart and the sincerity of accepting His free and eternal gift of salvation. It's not a get out of hell free card to be played at the last minute and if you think that, you are sorely mistaken and need to study His word.
Personally, I believe Hell is going to be a lot more crowded that most think. I still don't see how you got that notion that I thought Hell would be empty. Satan isn't even in Hell right now, he's on earth reaping torment.
So perhaps you should leave Biblical comments to those who know of what they speak.
Your comment from above: What are you smoking. So this doofus possibly committed this crime while being a Christian? Find you some Therapy Dude.
Neither you nor I can state that Braley is in hell. We have no way of knowing.
Quit lashing out in ignorance and think please.
Let Christ Jesus "destroy the works of the devil" through allowing Him to keep you from committing the sin of suicide. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).
Everyone who never does this will spend eternity apart from God.
Everyone who DOES to this, no matter what you think, will spend eternity in paradise WITH God.
All sinners who accept Jesus as their savior, including even you, go to heaven.
Murder is a sin like any other. There is NOTHING about murder that keeps one from salvation. Read you Bible and quit wasting our time here.
Justice was done. Would you really like to see Jerry reduced to the same animal actions of Braley? I think not and think Jerry is a better man that that.
Most of the posts on this forum frighten real Americans.
Are you a Baptist like the adoptive father? Maybe some of us should talk abut Baptist hell. There was more Baptist in the home than anything Korean. Maybe it was the Baptist in him that did it?
Please people think before you post. You're giving Pike Co. and Georgians a very bad image.
Is that "Judge not.........shall be judged" verse in your Bible? Or is that one of those that you use at your hypocritical convenience.
Why are you hypocrites on my case? Pat Flanagan, #11, recommends skinning him alive and feeding him to pigs. Sherry, #17, wants to give more prisoners more ropes. Agreed, #17.1 wants Jamie Watts to hang himself.
All I hope is that Satan saved his place for him.
By the way, Pat,Sherry and Agreed...Great Blogs.....Let's do lunch.
And to you judgemental hypocrites, borrow a Christian Bible and check out Matthew 7:1.
Evidently your Bible is the "Do it yourself version."
I may not make it to Heaven, but if not, at least I can roast beside all you Bible Thumping Hypocrites. I love you. But I love Jesus better.
Dear Jesus, I beg your forgiveness for being ugly to the hypocrites. Amen.
Now I am back on the high road.
Ms. Jacobs and the other defense attorneys had a near impossible task confronting them ... to somehow frame such a despicable and vile act was as out of character for Braley, and to allow him to receive a second chance. Kelli Hammond wasn't afforded a second chance.
There wasn't a single juror who thought Braley was innocent. We deliberated just under four hours, and it would not have been that long except the jurors agreed that each juror would individually read the lengthy jailhouse diatribe Braley had written for his family after his arrest.
The defense attorneys wisely proceeded to present "No defense". If there ever was a case for the death penalty, this would have to be the one. Like former DA Bill McBroom said afterwards, "I'm glad he got the death penalty. This guy [Braley] deserves it".
Entering the sentencing phase, and prior to the disclosure by the prosecution of additional injuries of Ms. Hammond, there were a handful of jurors who were unsure about the death penalty's application in this case. Had Leeland Mark Braley stabbed her once and taken her life, this might have not been the outcome.
But by his own hand, he ensured his own fate. Ironic, considering how his life ends.
I hope that his family can find some peace. They opened their home to him, and he failed them. The jurors felt for them as well.
As for Larry and Jeanette Hammond, and the other members of the Hammond family, if you have the opportunity to read this I only wish you peace, and hope that this brings some sense of closure to your family.
His actions both before this crime and after had nothing to do with his upbringing. His siblings and parents (adoptive) are fine upstanding citizens in the states where they live. That family was not and is not a breeding ground for crime of any sort.
They grieved with the Hammond family and pray for them regularly. They have questioned and second-guessed everything they did in Leeland's upbringing, but there was really nothing they could have done... this was a total detour to depravity.
Leeland was in my home within days before his visit to Pike Co. I shudder thinking that he might have planned this and been in my home.
We were ALL shocked that morning we learned what had happened in 1998. In some ways, those that knew him are relieved that he took his own life. While not being a proponent of suicide at all, his act at least spared the Hammonds and Braleys any more pain or run the risk of some liberal judge commuting his sentence.
Morals should not change based on the situation. In spite of knowing Leeland, the punishment more than fit the crime. He chose his path. Perhaps he was aided by mental illness, but he still chose it. I never heard anyone in the family say anything about him not deserving it.
Likewise, it's easy for folks who didn't know him to paint him as a monster. He was no monster. He was a sick person who did a horrible MONSTROUS act against a young woman with so much promise. But we live in a sinful, fallen world where such things do happen and innocents are affected.
I'm pleased that Kelli was a Christian and knows happiness and joy with the Lord. The rest of the Braley family will greet her one day in Heaven.
Again, in spite of the vile and incindiery posts from some in the community down there, I am thankful for your sharing your perspective. I pray the Hammond family will all find a modicum of closure on this subject and that the light Kelli spread in her 25 years will shine on through her memory in the hearts of her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" 2 Corinthians 1:3
Not too many people has access to these cells.
Thanks for the personal evaluation Anonymous. Ypu don't even know me.
We were banished from heaven for eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge...in an attempt to know good and evil. Until we realize that we are not God, we do not know everything and are in no position to judge.. we will not return home.
If not, you are a poor savage. Put more war paint on. Read the above venomous comments to me from the aged Anonymous tribe members. You are a weak one...get tough or they will eat you.
Obvious one of your tribe killed Braley because they don't know who?
Matt 7:22-23
I am not perfect and I pray everyday that I live up to his standards.
Lol.."poor savage". Who are you to judge? Are you more pure than the lamb of God? Shame on those for using Christs name or Christianity to invoke false authority on their comments.