Jessica Motes trial: Judge sets timeline in child murder case

Autopsy report delayed for 4-year-old found in trunk of car at Sam's Club

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Court TV) — A woman charged with murder in the death of a 4-year-old found in the trunk of a car appeared in court on Friday, as prosecutors admitted they have not been able to produce the child’s autopsy report yet. Jessica Motes smiles as she is led into court on May 1, 2026. (Court TV) Jessica Motes, 36, is charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated battery, cruelty to children and concealing a death after the bod…

Jessica Motes trial: Judge sets timeline in child murder case

A Hall County judge on Friday set a new timeline for a death penalty case against a woman accused of killing a 4-year-old girl, even as a critical autopsy report remains unfinished.

Death penalty case in 4-year-old’s death moves slowly as autopsy report still pending

More than six months after a 4-year-old girl was found dead in the trunk of a car outside a Sam’s Club, the state’s case against the Flowery Branch woman accused of killing her is moving slowly through the courts — and attorneys said at a hearing Friday that they haven't seen a completed autopsy report.