COVINGTON, Ga. – It took a Newton County jury less than 30 minutes Thursday afternoon to find a teenager not guilty on all charges stemming from a 2017 robbery at Newton High School.

Anthony Simmons, III, 16, was among four students charged after another student reported being robbed in a boy’s restroom at the school May 5, 2017. He faced multiple charges including armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

The four allegedly robbed the student of cash using a handgun.

Jurors saw evidence and listened to nearly three days of testimony during the trial, including hearing from 17-year-old Douglas Roberson who pleaded guilty Monday for his role in the crime. 

“We’re very happy with the jury’s verdict," Simmons’ attorney, T. Bryan Lumpkin, of Marietta, told The Covington News. "We appreciate their attentiveness. I also appreciate the prosecution’s help in presenting the case.

“The family is overjoyed as you might imagine. Hopefully, this is a lesson for all involved.” 

Citing two remaining open cases from the incident, the district attorney’s office declined to comment on the verdict.

Outside of the courthouse, a jury member told The News that jurors thought “there were entirely too many charges with weapons “

She added jurors believed the state had not proved its case.