Miles Bryant, a former Doraville Police officer convicted of killing 16-year-old Susana Morales, will not receive a new trial after a Gwinnett County judge denied his motion this week.
Background
Susana Morales disappeared in July 2022. Her decomposing remains were discovered seven months later. Bryant had reported his service weapon missing the day after the girl vanished, and investigators later found the gun in close proximity to Morales's remains. The case drew significant attention due to Bryant's position as a law enforcement officer.
The Investigation
Gwinnett County Police detectives built their case largely on cell phone data and digital evidence. During the trial, Detective Angela Carter testified that cell phone data placed Bryant at the precise location where Morales's body was discovered. The investigation revealed that Bryant conducted multiple searches related to the teen's disappearance, including queries about his own license plate number on a website that tracks license plate recognition cameras. Detectives also found that Bryant searched Google for information about how long a body takes to decompose.
The Verdict
Bryant was convicted in July 2024 on charges of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping and misdemeanor false report of a crime. He was sentenced to life without parole. His attorneys filed a motion for a new trial, arguing inadequate representation at trial and objecting to the use of Life360 data as evidence.
Key Takeaways
- Judge denied the motion for new trial after hearing oral arguments in February
- Bryant was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping and misdemeanor false report of a crime
- Cell phone data placed Bryant at the location where Morales's body was found
- Defense is appealing the judge's ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court
- Bryant was fired from the Doraville Police Department following his arrest
What's Next
Bryant's attorney is now appealing the judge's decision denying a new trial to the Georgia Supreme Court. The appellate process will examine whether the trial court properly handled the evidentiary issues raised by the defense, including the admissibility of the Life360 location data.
The case represents a rare conviction of a law enforcement officer for killing a teenager, and the outcome could influence how similar cases involving police defendants are handled in Georgia courts.