Several trials are scheduled to take place in Newton County Superior Court this month.

Judge Eugene M. Benton will preside over the trials of Cecil Allen Freeman and Julian Autun Holloway. Both men are charged individually with murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, possession, manufacture, distribution, etc., of controlled substances marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence and removal of body parts from the scene of death.

The charges stem from the shooting death of Ashley Obryant Vinson, 20, who was allegedly selling drugs to Allen and Holloway when he was shot and killed in 2008.

The second trial of Jamaal Marquez Pridgett is scheduled to be heard during September as well. He is charged with malice murder, felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

The charges stem from the shooting death of 19-year-old Jerome "Cardell" Glover, and the shootings and robberies of Tavorris "T-Rock" Shy, Sedarius "Ronte" Stephens and Martec "Pumpkin" Barkley. The group was engaged in a dice game at Pridgett’s home on West Street in 2008 when things turned deadly.

Along with the three murder trials, Benton will also preside over the trials of Steven Michael Babaz, who is charged with two counts of obscene Internet contact with a child and Joseph Baker, who is charged with rape, statutory rape, interstate interference with custody and battery.