A Cornelia woman charged in the death of a local man is out of jail, free on bond tonight. Hall County authorities say Ruby Marshall was released from the Hall County jail late yesterday. The 64-year old Marshall is charged in the death of 47-year old Jerald Freeman of Cornelia. Freeman died on Oct. 7 when his motorcycle crashed into a ravine off of Pea Ridge Road near the Hall/Habersham County border.
Georgia State Patrol investigators say Marshall allegedly crossed over the center line while traveling on Pea Ridge Road and forced Freeman’s motorcycle off the road. Freeman was thrown from his bike as it traveled down an embankment. Troopers say Marshall left the scene without calling for help. A family member discovered Freeman’s body the next day.
According to the Hall County Medical Examiner the 47-year old Freeman died of a broken neck.
Marshall was arrested by state troopers on Oct. 30 in Dahlonega. Sources tell Now Habersham someone came forward with information that led to her arrest.
Yesterday a Hall County Magistrate set Marshall’s bond at $20,100. She will remain free at least until Nov. 17 when a court hearing is scheduled to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward with the case against her. Marshall faces numerous charges including first-degree vehicular homocide, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving and failure to stop at the scene of an accident. If convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison.
Jerald Freeman was the owner of About Time Tree Service in Cornelia and also worked as a skydiving instructor in Atlanta. He was a 1985 graduate of Habersham Central High School in Mt. Airy and a 1987 graduate of Truett McConnell College in Cleveland.
