Brad Shealy

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The Southern Judicial Circuit district attorney said he plans to try the Greg Hobbs case in late July.

Hobbs was Thomasville mayor when he was indicted in February on six criminal city-related counts. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp suspended Hobbs from his Thomasville City Council post until the criminal case is completed.

District Attorney Brad Shealy said the week of July 29 is the first available time to try the case in Thomas County Superior Court.

Judges Harry Jay Altman and James E. Hardy will preside over two other Superior Court trials earlier in July in Thomasville. Both Altman and Hardy, who are Thomasville residents, have recused themselves in the Hobbs case.

Shealy said Brian McDaniel, a Moultrie resident and Southern Judicial Circuit Superior Court judge, will hear the Hobbs case.

When asked about a possible Hobbs plea, Shealy said, “There are always plea options to any case, but I can’t get more specific.”

Hobbs was indicted on charges of false report of a crime, three counts of violation of oath by public officer and two counts of making false statement.

He waived formal arraignment and reading of the charges and entered a not guilty plea to charges in the indictment on Feb. 11, four days after the indictment was handed down.

Court documents filed in the case show Hobbs’ legal counsel is Valdosta attorney Converse Bright, who could not be reached for comment.

Shealy said he plans to prosecute the case at trial.

Georgia law states that Hobbs can return to office if his case is not tried or otherwise disposed of before the first Monday in October. Charges would still be pending, and he could still be prosecuted.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820