Released inmate gets life for killing pastor who tried to counsel him

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. (TCN) -- A jury recently convicted a 29-year-old man of killing a local pastor and setting her vehicle on fire to cover up her death.

The DeKalb County District Attorney's Office secured the conviction against Christopher Griggs on Sept. 13 on charges of 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 in connection with the death of 56-year-old Marita Harrell. A judge subsequently sentenced Griggs to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 21 years.

According to prosecutors, on the night of May 18, 2022, DeKalb County Police responded to a report of a body found inside a parked van in a wooded area. Harrell reportedly failed to return home for dinner that night. Her family members then tracked her phone, which led them to her partially burned remains. The district attorney's office said her body was also wrapped in bedding from Griggs' bed.

According to WAGA-TV, prosecutors argued Griggs stabbed Harrell in the heart, side, and abdomen before transporting her body to a wooded area and setting it ablaze. A knife purportedly remained in her stomach area following the incident. The district attorney's office said investigators also determined Griggs stole money from the victim, and they discovered five large transfers to the defendant's account from Harrell.

The victim, a pastor, reportedly worked with inmates and individuals who were recently released from jail. Prosecutors said Harrell met Griggs through another inmate at the Fulton County Jail in 2021, and he would call her for "counseling and to ask for financial support."

Griggs reportedly wanted to meet with Harrell following his release from jail in 2022. According to the district attorney's office, on May 18, 2022, Harrell sent a text to a friend prior to meeting with Griggs that said, "I'll explain later, but if I should disappear today check out Chris's [sic] Griggs." Harrell also reportedly provided her friend with the defendant's address.

The following day, a SWAT team responded to Griggs' residence, but he wasn't home. Around the same time, a cleaning company reportedly arrived to clean the defendant's carpet, which was covered in black oil stains. Prosecutors said investigators found evidence of blood near the oil stains. Officials reportedly searched the home and noticed Griggs' mattress pad in the dryer after having recently been washed.

Officers spoke with a woman who rented the defendant a room in the house. She reportedly explained to investigators that she works night shifts and was asleep the afternoon prior. After waking up, she allegedly noticed Harrell's minivan parked in the driveway. According to prosecutors, she told officials that Griggs asked her to follow him in her car so he could return the van to someone. The woman clarified that she wasn't aware there was anyone inside the vehicle. She reportedly told investigators after following Griggs, she drove him back to their house.

Authorities arrested Griggs at a local motel on May 19, 2022. Prosecutors said prior to his arrest, Griggs "sent a video to the woman he lived with claiming full responsibility for everything that happened." 

Harrell reportedly earned her Master of Divinity degree in 2014 and leaves behind a husband and two daughters.

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