In DeKalb County, GA:
A significant and emotional case has recently come to a close with the conviction of Christopher Devonta Griggs, a 29-year-old resident of Stone Mountain, for the murder of United Methodist pastor, Rev. Marita Harrell. The tragic incident occurred on May 18, 2022, and has since gripped the local community. On September 13, a jury found Griggs guilty of multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, concealing the death of another, tampering with evidence, and theft by taking.
DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston announced Griggs’ sentencing following the verdict. He received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 21 years. Judge Courtney L. Johnson presided over the court proceedings, ensuring that justice was served for the heartbreaking loss of Rev. Harrell, who was only 56 years old at the time of her death.
The Heart-Wrenching Crime
On that fateful day in May 2022, officers found Harrell’s body inside a parked van in a wooded area off Coffee Road in Lithonia. She had been fatally stabbed, and her van set on fire in an attempt to conceal the crime. The van was discovered by Harrell’s family, who tracked her phone’s location after she failed to return home for dinner. The gruesome discovery marked the beginning of an intense investigation into the pastor’s untimely death.
Rev. Marita Harrell held a deep commitment to her community, particularly focusing on counseling individuals who were incarcerated or recently released from jail. This compassionate mission led her to meet Griggs in 2021, through another inmate at Fulton County Jail. Unfortunately, this meeting would have dire consequences.
The Details of the Encounter
According to the investigation, Griggs frequently reached out to Rev. Harrell for both counseling and financial support. He had been released from jail in the spring of 2022 and suggested they meet in person. On May 18, Harrell went to Griggs’ home on Panola Road for what she believed was a routine counseling session. Tragically, it would be her final meeting.
The night before her disappearance, Harrell had sent a chilling text message to a friend reading, “I’ll explain later, but if I should disappear today, check out Chris’s [sic] Griggs.” The message included Griggs’ address, which ultimately helped the police identify and apprehend the suspect.
The Investigation Unfolds
By May 19, a SWAT team had arrived at Griggs’ house to take him into custody. Their search revealed black oil stains on the carpet of Griggs’ bedroom and hallway, which turned out to be attempts to cover bloodstains. They found Harrell’s body partially burned and wrapped in bedding from Griggs’ bed. Additionally, the mattress pad was discovered freshly washed in the dryer, further indicating Griggs’ efforts to clean up the crime scene.
Cash App records unearthed during the investigation showed five large transfers from Harrell’s account to Griggs’ account shortly after she arrived at his home. This financial trail added another layer to the already damning evidence against Griggs.
The woman who rented a room to Griggs at the house provided crucial information to investigators. She recounted how Griggs had asked her to follow him to Coffee Road to drop off Harrell’s van, not realizing a body was inside. Her account significantly bolstered the case against Griggs.
The Aftermath
Griggs was swiftly arrested on May 19. Despite his heinous actions, he sent a video confession to the woman he lived with, taking responsibility for the crime shortly before his arrest. This case has left a deep impact on the community, showcasing both the inherent risks in altruistic endeavors and the profound loss felt when a beloved leader is taken too soon.
The conviction and sentencing of Griggs bring some sense of closure to the community, though the memory of Rev. Marita Harrell and her selfless service will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched.
