An Alto woman faces possible prison time after being convicted on two felony counts of obstructing law enforcement officers.
Amanda Ellen Kelly, 41, was convicted on four of five counts brought against her in an indictment handed down by a Habersham County Grand Jury in April. Kelly was also convicted of public drunk and simple battery following a 3-day trial in Habersham County Superior Court. Judge Bill Oliver presided over the proceedings. He directed a verdict of acquittal on one count of pedestrian under the influence.
At trial, the prosecutor presented evidence that Kelly became violent when law enforcement officers tried to restrain her while investigating a report of a domestic dispute in the early hours of February 24, 2022.
Kelly struck an Alto police officer in the chest and kicked a Habersham County Sheriff’s deputy in the leg and face during the incident.
It began with a 911 call
According to information released by the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Alto Police Officer Sean Rogers encountered a drunken Kelly walking down Teakwood Drive shortly after midnight on February 24. When he tried to question her, she attempted to walk away. Officer Rogers told her she was not free to leave until she answered questions about the 911 call law enforcement received.
“She directed loud and profane and abusive language at Rogers and continued to try to leave,” the court report states. “When Rogers grabbed her arm to keep her from leaving, she became violent, striking him in the chest and resisting being handcuffed.”
Rogers was able to take Kelly to the ground and continued to try to place her in restraints. Sgt. Kris Hall of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office arrived to assist him. The two officers were able to cuff Kelly, “but while seated on the ground, she kicked at Hall’s legs, and when he leaned over to pick up a flashlight, she kicked him in the face,” the document states.
Ultimately, officials determined that no crime was committed in the domestic dispute that generated the call.
Mountain Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney J. Edward Staples represented the state in the case. The trial concluded on September 27. The judge will sentence Kelly at a later date.
