Man faces lethal injection for Pike County murder

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in Crime and Arrests

Thursday, August 27. 2009

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Leeland Braley is the only prisoner on Georgia’s death row for a Pike County crime.

Braley was convicted of killing Kelli Hammond during a robbery at her Zebulon insurance agency in September 1998. Braley, whose trial was held in Monroe County, was condemned to the ultimate punishment despite pleas from his lawyer to spare his life.

Defense attorney Tammy Jacobs told jurors, “Executing Lee Braley won’t bring Kelli Hammond back. The death penalty has not stopped senseless killings. Mercy can be yours. My client was never violent before this episode.”

Hammond was the daughter of former county commission chairman Jerry Hammond and well-loved local teacher Cheryl Hammond.

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#1 Anonymous on 08/27/09 at 09:38 AM

Good riddance. Why does the gov't take SO LONG to make the criminals pay for their wrongdoing? I would be so ashamed to defend this creep. 'my client was never violent before this episode'. Sheesh! And this person gets paid THOUSANDS to come to this conclusion??
Why, a mother who doesn't get paid a penny can come up with one better than that. 'little johnny never hit anyone before, so it's ok now'.
Idiots.

#2 Anonymous on 08/27/09 at 09:56 AM

Leland is a monster! He should have been injected a long time ago!! Kelly was a well known and well liked person in the community. God be with the Hammonds during this hard time.

#3 Kim on 08/27/09 at 10:28 AM

As it should be.

#4 Lamar Towery on 08/27/09 at 10:46 AM

I grew up with Kelli and her older sister. They were like my own sisters back then. We used to have a swimming hole on Powder Creek on the Hammond’s property where a few of us local kids always seemed to congregate on hot summer days. Sometimes I miss those simple times. Us older kids always looked out for the younger ones back then. It makes me wish we could have protected Kelli on that terrible day.
It is true that nothing would bring Kelli back to be with us, but I feel as if the punishment is just and appropriate. I refuse to dwell on the thought of something as horrible as this happening to one of my own children. I do not understand how people make it through tragedies such as this and hope I never have to.
As far as Mr. Braley: his sentence should have been exercised about 5 seconds after the gavel fell with the guilty verdict.

#5 rtvols on 08/27/09 at 11:11 AM

Tammy Jacobs (his lawyer) does not have a clue. She is right it won't bring back Kelli but this murdering (sob) wont ever kill anyone else.
We should drag him out and kill him like he did Kelli.

#6 S.G on 08/27/09 at 11:17 AM

I too knew Kelli very well, she was so much fun to be around and everybody loved her. What Leeland did to her was horrific and if no one could ever do to him the things he done to her then he deserves lethal injection. Hell he wont suffer like she did and like her family and friends have for all these years from losing such a wonderful and caring person.

#7 Rhonda Towery on 08/27/09 at 11:44 AM

I met Kelli and Lori when I started going to same church. We became really close and sometimes inseperable. I love them both as if they were my family. God will be his final judgement and here i hope he gets just what he deserves. I pray for The Hammond family and justice will be served on this monster. I love you all!!!!!

#8 Sheila Tolley on 08/27/09 at 12:01 PM

Leeland Braley, is a maggot. I hope he has small veins and they use a rusty needle with a slow drip. I want him to have plenty of time to think about the pain he caused Kelli that day and the pain that will NEVER leave Cheryl, Jerry and her other loved ones. I want to write "how I really feel about your sorry ---", but I know it would prevent my blog from being published. I am so sick of the following defense by attorneys:

Defense attorney Tammy Jacobs told jurors, “Executing Lee Braley won’t bring Kelli Hammond back. The death penalty has not stopped senseless killings. Mercy can be yours. My client was never violent before this episode.”

What mental home did she escape from? Ted Bundy killed 29 people, his death penalty after one would have stopped 28 senseless murders. John Wayne Gacy killed 33, his death penalty after one would have stopped 32 senseless murders, Jeffrey Dahmer killed 17, his death penalty after one would have stopped 16 senseless murders.

Mercy Hell, Tammy. He got mercy when he was able to sit in prison for over a decade. They need to rush this on through before all the seats in Hell are taken.

I truly wish I could see him face to face when he is put to death and tell him how sorry he is.

Money is not the point here, but for the information of the taxpayers. We have paid over $330,000 for this murderer.

#9 Sheila Tolley on 08/27/09 at 12:05 PM

Does anyone know what day and time they are killing this jerk?

#10 Sheila Tolley on 08/27/09 at 12:17 PM

To Cheryl and Jerry...........I am so very sorry that you have to relive this tragedy. My prayers will be with you and all the family.
Much Love,
Sheila

#11 Tammy's friend on 08/27/09 at 02:35 PM

Tammy is the public defender. She doesn't make gobs of money.
I agree wholeheartedly that the death penalty was invented for just a person as Leeland. The Kelli Hammond murder was atrocious beyond words.
While some of you are targeting Tammy, know this: she is fighting her own personal battle with cancer and continues to work her heart out even undergoing chemo regularly. Her prognosis is not good. Please pray for this woman; she has an amazing attitude and is fighting for her life.
The public defender's office exists as part of the system.People hate it unless it is their turn to have a right to an attorney. Tammy is just doing her job. She does it ---- well, and she does it without complaining as she struggles with her own deep issues. Please show her some respect.

#12 Tamara Sharman on 08/27/09 at 02:54 PM

There is no execution date scheduled yet for Leeland Braley. He is still going through the appeals process.

#13 Anonymous on 08/28/09 at 08:24 AM

I agree with Tammy's friend. She is a wonderful person and has a job to do. This doesn't mean she agrees or disagrees with a verdict. Regardless of the crime, everyone is entitled to representation. The law says so. If Tammy wasn't representing him, someone else would be. Someone has to do it and fortunately for the rest of us, we don't have to. Yes, you can say she chose to do that job. True. How many innocent people would be serving time for a crime they didn't commit if they didn't have representation? Furthermore, how many have been sentenced that are innocent? Not every person out there is blatantly guilty like Braley. I personally admire someone who is willing to fight for someone's innocence and put the time into it without big dollars dangling in front of them. Unfortunately, you have to take the good with the bad. That's the way it works.

I will continue to keep the Hammond family in my prayers as well as Tammy. Tammy, thank you for doing a job most of us would not be willing to do. Stay strong and keep your faith!

#14 Sheila Tolley on 08/28/09 at 11:16 AM

To Tammy's Friend and Anonymous. (11&12) I hope Tammy's health gets fine BUT as lawyers would yell in court. "THAT's IRRELEVANT." Cheryl had to fight this same battle with cancer WHILE losing her daughter. I have had Cheryl and Jerry on my mind since this brutal murder happened. I cannot ride by Kelli's Insurance Business location without wondering where the weasel that killed her is now. This is not about someone serving time that is innocent, it is about a LOVING law-abiding family that lost a LOVING law-abiding daughter. In the prime of her life. If I were Tammy, I would appreciate your support much more if you had signed your name instead of being "anonymous" and generically "Tammy's friend."

#15 Sheila Tolley on 08/28/09 at 11:49 AM

Thank you Tamara.

#16 Tammy's friend on 08/28/09 at 02:58 PM

I see the D word was edited out. Doing so makes it sound like it was a bad word.

#17 Tammy's friend on 08/28/09 at 04:23 PM

Most people sign anon on here because you post such cruel comments back.
You sound like you REALLY care about Tammy.

#18 Tammy's friend on 08/28/09 at 04:28 PM

Tammy very much appreciates my support, thank you. I don't have to sign my name so you can know who I am. You don't need to know, she does.
Relevance.....I wasn't the one who brought up Tammy's name on here. Surely y'all don't think she is handling the appeal do you?

#19 anonymous on 08/28/09 at 04:31 PM

Anonymous for a reason.
Anonymous because I'm allowed to be.
Shelia, you say such ugly things on here. Next time you drive by that insurance office, think about how Kelli would have wanted you to be nicer to people.

#20 Sheila Tolley on 08/29/09 at 11:30 AM

Signing Anon does not stop positive or negative comments. I post the way I feel GOOD and BAD. I am an equal opportunity blogger.

#21 Dorothy Dupree on 08/29/09 at 04:57 PM

Leeland Mark Braley should have been taken down the same way he took Kelli down, begging for his life, no one should be able to stand up & defend what was a blatent act of cruelty, never had any former acts of violence, at what point does the first act of cruelty & violence say to the people, maybe he never did anyrthing violent before but everything has a starting point & Braley chose Kelli to be that starting point, we shouldnt have to keep a MONSTER like that in prison & feed, cloth, & give him a place to sleep, let me know when the "BIG" day is, I would like to be there along with all of Pike county

#22 Sheila Tolley on 08/30/09 at 08:25 AM

I concur. So would I.

#23 Sheila Tolley on 08/30/09 at 08:36 AM

#13.2 I don't care who you are. #14 I only say ugly things when I mean them. I say nice, funny, ugly, mean, vicious, etc. things on here. The only difference is....my name is also there. You hide behind anonymous. There is NOT ONE thing wrong with you being Tammy's friend...Nothing. So why are you afraid to let the county know who you are?

#24 Sheila Tolley on 08/30/09 at 03:03 PM

Anything that I say on here mean, sweet, funny....don't need your approval. I really do not like anonymous people reading my blogs anyway. So when you see my name in the corner ...pass them by....ok? You are insignificant since you are anonymous.

#25 ANONYMOUS on 08/31/09 at 05:47 AM

Well Walter, you just lost another one.

#26 Sheila Tolley on 08/31/09 at 08:57 AM

He lost another Anonymous? Well, I bet they are packing up to close the papers down right now. What will he possibly do without opinions of un-people?

#27 Sheila Tolley on 08/31/09 at 11:19 AM

I am nice to deserving people. Just not gullible like TOO many folks are. I love children, old people and watermelon wine.

#28 My Right on 08/31/09 at 04:15 PM

Once again I remind you that it is the right of the poster to remain anonymous. It is obvious this upsets you to the point of aggrovation since you constantly comment about it. Most of us choose not to become a target of people like you. What difference does it make, except to protct the poster?

#29 Sheila Tolley on 08/31/09 at 05:18 PM

Yeah, everybody is looking for Mr. Right.

#30 Rhonda Riley on 08/31/09 at 05:26 PM

Anonomyous for a reason. Yes, you're correct about that. The reason is cowardice. You don't give your name because you wouldn't write the things you do if people could know who you are.

Let's just call it like it is: You are not willing to withstand the scrutiny of your postings. Right or wrong, Shiela Tolley is. You're motivated enough to post an opinion, but your devotion only goes so far. If you're so convinced you're right, then demonstrate your commitment by manning up to your words.

#31 Anononymity is sometimes wiser on 08/31/09 at 06:14 PM

I am going to take both sides of this argument.
Kelli Hammond was a beautiful girl who died too young. My children went to school with her. They were her friends and loved her very much. My heart goes out to Jerry, Cheryl, Lori, and Tim. What they have lost can never be replaced! I believe in a life for a life. I believe Leeland Braley should receive the sentence he has been given. I don't believe that it will bring Kelli back, and I am not sure that it will bring anyone in the Hammond family peace, but it is what the judge and jury ruled, and should be carried out.
I also know that the day this young man did what he did he was under the influence of drugs. What a tragedy! He was raised in a Christian home by loving Christian parents. They adopted him when he was an infant, never realizing that this would be the fate of their son. Is it a reason for a murder...absolutely not, but it is a reason for us to take a good look at what drugs are doing to young people in our society. But, by the grace of God, this could be one of our children! It just goes to show, that this young man can come from any home, and any background. Was he raised well...yes. Are his parents hearts broken...yes. He committed a heinous crime, for which he deserves to die by lethal injection, but we need to realize that he has parents who are grieving. In this county, we dislike him, and grieve because we loved Kelli. In another county, people grieve because they love the Braley's.
God grieves because we are disobedient as a society. I sugguest we pray for both families!
Ms. Tolley, concerning giving the death penalty being given to Bundy after 1 murder and saving 28 lives, the death penalty to Gacy after 1 murder and saving 32 lives, and Dahmer after 1 murder and saving 17 lives...that all sounds great, but they were serial murderers, and escaped the law for years and years. I am CERTAIN if the law could have solved these crime earlier, they would have been more than happy to lock these men up, prosecute them, and give them the death penalty in a much more timely fashion to keep them from committing further crimes!
I am going to continue to keep both of these families in my prayers. I would not want to be in either one of their places!

#32 Mrs Right on 08/31/09 at 07:46 PM

It's driving her crazy, she thinks it may be an ex and that means it could be one of many!

#33 ANONYMOUS on 08/31/09 at 07:50 PM

Keep trying to figure out who I am. There are only about three or four of us one here now since you're scared so many away. Don't you notice how few posts there are these days? Goodness, summer's over and soon it's gonna be FRIGID.

#34 Call N. Alcars on 08/31/09 at 09:19 PM

Sheila, you are a great and outspoken advocate for Kelli Hammond.

Your informative and factual posts tend to polarize so many ANONYMOUS people who have turned this article into a personal issue.

Somewhere in their minds, the article became about Sheila Tolley and NOT about Leeland Mark Braley needing to forfeit his life for his cowardly murderous act. Don't let the ANONYMOUS crowd hinder your excellent cognitive reasoning that enables you to express youself so well.

Heck, I don't care if you have been down the aisle a half dozen times, you stick it to 'em.

Call N. Alcars

#35 country folks on 08/31/09 at 11:10 PM

#14.2 ya know something you probley are the type of person that is in everybodys affairs.you always have crap to say that doesn't mean a rats butt about the topics,S.T. you need to get a job writting stories about things you know. and I really don't care what you write because you don't make any sence 1/2 the time.and the other 1/2 is just hear say.our prays are with kellies family.and if you don't like this comment to bad.so keep your opinion to yourself because i really don't want to see it.

#36 Sheila Tolley on 09/01/09 at 10:15 AM

You continue riding that fence of non-commitment and anonymity all you like. All, I repeat all my love, prayers and sympathy goes to The Hammond Family. Each day Braley lives is another day he stole from justice. Do you realize that Cheryl and Jerry last their daughter to the hands of this brutal monster 4,015 days ago. Do you know how long each day must be for them? Sleepless nights try to count them also? Influence of drugs, he was under the influence of the DEVIL.

#37 Sheila Tolley on 09/01/09 at 10:22 AM

So wrong there sweetcakes, all my ex-husbands are friends of mine and GUTSY enough to sign their name. Why don't you and Mr. Wrong hook-up. Opposites attract, they say?

#38 Sheila Tolley on 09/01/09 at 10:33 AM

Go to blankets-r-us and buy you nice anonymous blanket to wrap up in when you get too FRIGID. But please don't over-estimate your value. I do not try AT ALL to figure out who you are. Just another insignificant coward blogger to me. Happy Blogging!

#39 Sheila Tolley on 09/01/09 at 12:09 PM

Posters have names...you are an imposter.

#40 Sheila Tolley on 09/01/09 at 12:14 PM

Have the courtesy to use a capital letter to begin Kelli's name. Change my initials to small letters because your opinion is insignificant to me.

#41 A'SHIRLEY on 09/01/09 at 01:07 PM

I believe they are "THIN SKINNED"......

What do you think, Sheila?? LOL!!

#42 Pearl~^~Necklace~^~ on 09/01/09 at 01:11 PM

Do all of us a favor and stay in the country...

Don't you have some possum's to kill or something to the effect??

#43 AGAIN!!!! on 09/01/09 at 06:41 PM

Yet another blog, ALL ABOUT SHEILA, while justice for Kelli gets pushed aside. Sheila, why don't you turn the focus back on the lady who this is really about?

#44 Zebulon resident on 09/01/09 at 06:56 PM

WOW! SHEILA! how old are you???? you are quite immature.....i mean seriously! come on!

#45 insiggie on 09/01/09 at 07:46 PM

If we're so insignificant, why do you feel so compelled to respond? If you didn't notice us and we didn't bother you, there would be silence.

#46 Rubber meets the road on 09/02/09 at 06:11 AM

Since everyone but you is a coward, show us how tough you are. When the execution time comes, YOU cover it and report back since you write for the paper. Your journalism credentials might get you in to the killing theatre. Describe how much you enjoyed it.

#47 Rent Lady on 09/02/09 at 09:48 AM

EXCUSE ME...This article is about a slain woman and the man who did it, not who is or is not anonymous! Maybe the Journal-Reporter will do a story about anonymous postings so many of these comments will have an appropriate forum but for the time being lets focus on THIS story.

Braley deserves to die for what he has done regardless of whether he was on drugs or not. His attorney was doing her job in arguing for his life to be spared; had she not done her job his constitutional rights would have been violated and he would have excellent grounds for appeal. That could add another 20 years to his life prior to execution.

The Hammond family deserves closure not controversy! Keep the focus on what is important...Justice for Kelli!

#48 Sheila Tolley on 09/02/09 at 05:25 PM

Justice for Kelli and her family is ALL that is important in this case. You people half read and half understand everything you read. The only reason #17.1, named AGAIN, says it is all about me, is because I am the only one that uses a name. AND #19 Rubber meets the road (how original) if you think I would not inject this weasel after what he done to Kelli, you are wrong Doc! But I would not write about it. I am not in this for the glory of gory, the details would be none of your business. EXCEPT that the sorry weasel who took a beautiful daughter's life is finally out of the way. Now get off my case and go play with your tinker toys.

#49 Justice for Kelli on 09/02/09 at 07:43 PM

Nothing under the sun is original, Sheila, certainly not you. You make yourself an easy target with your sassy comments and then you want to complain about it. We'll get off your case when you get off ours.

#50 A'SHIRLEY on 09/03/09 at 05:25 AM

"YOU" seriously sound like you have the anger problem.

#51 Sheila Tolley on 09/03/09 at 04:29 PM

If your name is Justice for Kelli....I'm on your side.

#52 Not Sheila Tolley on 09/03/09 at 09:30 PM

you sure like stirring up drama

#53 Rent Lady on 09/03/09 at 09:59 PM

Sheila, you are a JOKE. My name is Stacie Williams and I am the rent lady. You do not care about the story; just seeing your name on the page. How can you agree with "justice for kelli" without contradicting your own words? SO SAAAAAD!!!!!!!!! I grew up with the children of this family; Tim was my very first date. Lori has helped my mother (who now is incacipated) more than you can ever imagine) and STILL you want to make this about who is afraid to say who they are...MY NAME IS STACIE ANNETTE WILLIAMS and you are an IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE STORY WAS ABOUT KELLI HAMMOND DUMB.... NOT YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! e-mail me when you have a clue saw966@bellsouth.net maybe that will spare the readers of the paper your bulls...

#54 afraid of Sheila on 09/04/09 at 06:03 AM

Well said, Stacie, well said. You speak for many of us. I'm proud of you.

#55 Me on 09/04/09 at 07:35 AM

You are so right! Ive read so many different articles on here and the comments that go with them and 90% of the time Sheila Tolley tries to make everything about her. I wish she would become ANONYMOUS. It seems to me she likes to hear herself talk or comment in this case. I wish her computer would fall to peices.

#56 Sheila Tolley on 09/04/09 at 08:46 AM

I am afraid of you rent lady. People without self-control scare me. I do not know where you seen the word SAD from me....because I know you didn't in reference to Kelli's case. Your big bold letters and email does not make you special at all. But now that you can feel free to use your name so that Cheryl and Jerry know that you too support justice for Kelli without hiding in the closet. That makes you feel better, I hope. And to comment 22.1, I am harmless, don't be afraid of me. I do not fight battles of wit with unarmed people so don't wait on a call from me.

#57 KNEW IT WAS COMING on 09/04/09 at 03:56 PM

I was exppecting you. You always have to have the last word.

#58 good luck on 09/04/09 at 04:00 PM

Self control? You can't control yourself from blogging. You can't go a week without putting some smart aleck comment on here. Good thing you consider yourself witty, few others do.

#59 Sheila Tolley on 09/04/09 at 06:47 PM

Cheryl's maiden name is Dunn. You should respectfully ask the editor to correct that word DUMB. That sounds mighty rude.

#60 Sheila Tolley on 09/05/09 at 07:12 PM

Few others matter to me.

#61 Anne Browning on 09/05/09 at 08:52 PM

It was a horrible crime. Too bad we can't hang him in the town square.

#62 Trying hard on 09/07/09 at 07:12 PM

Yes, that sounds about what your philosophy is. Finally something honest from you.

#63 Sheila Tolley on 09/08/09 at 08:30 AM

Exactly right! I am not a hypocrit!

#64 Sheila Tolley on 09/08/09 at 09:55 AM

My bad. I misspelled hypocrite. That's much better.

#65 rent lady???? on 09/08/09 at 10:04 AM

stacie williams. all these years have passed and you still think the world revolves around you. guess what? it still dont.keep dreamin.

#66 sad on 09/08/09 at 11:24 AM

No, but you are not a lot of other things either.

#67 Sheila Tolley on 09/12/09 at 11:27 AM

Young enough to want to but old enough to know better.

#68 Sheila Tolley on 09/13/09 at 09:54 AM

You have a very venomous attitude. You should try this new fangled thing called Anger Management Classes. The reason things seem to be about me is because mine is usually the only real name you see. I think it is all about "Me" (YOU) at this moment and whatever you change to next as your sign-on. Not Me is the one who always cools you down. So don't get your thong in a wad. She will show up. Just count to ten until you can find one of those classes with an opening.

#69 Sheila Tolley on 09/13/09 at 11:11 AM

I think it is time they should shed their skins.

#70 annonoymous on 09/13/09 at 11:21 PM

Let the punishment be as he was found guilty. He got his trial and should be executed ASAP, we shouldn't have to feed him any longer,there are people in this world starving and he is taking up space here..

#71 how very sad on 09/29/09 at 09:21 PM

I heard about this blog from my sister. She and I both grew up with Tim, Lori,and Kelly. She expressed sadness and dismay at the turn this whole blog has taken. What are you people doing? Is this really helpful to anyone? I agree with my sister who said, and I quote " Oh my God!, I really hope that Jerry and Cheryl are not reading that crap. They have been hurt enough." Let's all try to keep this on a level that is respectful to this family who has suffered so much. Shame on you !

#72 Anonymous on 01/01/10 at 10:19 AM

Leeland Mark Braley killed himself in prison December 31, 2009.

For the animals here that won't be enough.

For the civilized, I ask that you pray for the innocent families both Hammond and Braley who were inalterably affected by his actions.

I pray he found peace with God beforehand. But his time here is done.

Justice is not hatred.

#73 Sheila on 07/27/11 at 02:48 AM

Wow. That even shut Sheila (i am obsessed with having.the last word up) Tolliey

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