Former Doraville officer sentenced to life for murder of Gwinnett County teen

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The jury has returned its verdict in the trial of a former Doraville police officer accused of kidnapping and killing a Gwinnett County teenager.

VERDICT:

Malicious Murder: GUILTY
Criminal Murder: GUILTY
Kidnapping: GUILTY
Attempted rape: NOT GUILTY
False reporting of a crime: GUILTY

Miles Bryant was accused of kidnapping and killing Susana Morales, 16, who disappeared in July 2022.

He was sentenced to life without parole.

Bryant also spoke briefly before the sentencing.

“I just want to apologize to everyone and the victim’s family. That’s it,” he said.

Bryant was arrested approximately seven months after Morales' disappearance when a random citizen came across his remains and Bryant's department-issued gun. Police said the gun was found near his decomposing body.

State prosecutors told jurors that at the end of the trial, evidence would show them that Bryant's phone was sent to the location where Morales' body was found in the hours after she disappeared .

Attorney Tracy Drake, who represents Bryant, told jurors there was no evidence to prove Bryant kidnapped, raped or killed Morales.

“We are deeply saddened for the Morales family,” Gwinnett County Prosecutor Patsy Austin-Gatson said in a statement after the sentencing. “The despicable nature of the accused’s actions is aggravated by the fact that he was a police officer at the time. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers are dedicated to serving the public good every day. Thank you to the GCPD for the work that made today’s verdict possible.

>> TRIAL COVERAGE FROM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12: