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Murder suspect faces judge
Mexican citizen appears in hearing at county jail
Garcia-Martinez meets judge
Miguel Angel Garcia-Martinez, center, has his first court apperance Jan. 8, 2018, at the Newton County Jail in Covington. Escorting Garcia-Martinez are sheriff's deputies and interpreter Daniel de la Reza, right. - photo by File Photo

COVINGTON, Ga. – A Mexican citizen charged with the first murder in Newton County in 2018 made his first court appearance Monday morning.

Miguel Angel Garcia-Martinez, 32, listened through an interpreter as Probate Judge Melanie Bell read the list of charges against him in the courtroom at the Newton County Jail.

Garcia-Martinez was arrested Saturday for an afternoon murder on Russell Drive on the east side of the county. The victim has not yet been identified.

Miguel Angel Garcia-Martinez makes first court apperance

Miguel Angel Garcia-Martinez, 32, of Conyers, makes his first court apperance before Probate Judge Melanie Bell on Monday morning, Jan. 8, 2018, at the Newton County Jail in Conyers. Garcia-Martinez is accused of murder in connection with a homicide Saturday on Russell Drive near Covington.
By: Jackie Gutknecht

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In addition to murder charges, Garcia-Martinez also is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony — all felonies — and pointing a pistol at another person. A grand jury will consider the felony charges against Garcia-Martinez at a later date.

Bell, the county’s chief magistrate, explained bond would be set at a later time. She said if bond is denied, Garcia-Martinez would be entitled to a probable-cause hearing at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Newton County Judicial Center.

Garcia-Martinez asked for the court’s help to apply for a public defender.

As a Mexican citizen, Garcia-Martinez will have the right to have a representative of his home nation’s consulate at court proceedings.

The Sheriff’s Office website lists Garcia-Martinez as homeless from Conyers.

Managing Editor Jackie Gutknecht and Editor and Publisher David Clemons contributed to this report.