Executive Summary
- State prosecutors filed a motion to continue the murder trial due to scheduling conflicts.
- Defendants Angelo Harley and Alexis Williams face charges including felony murder and armed robbery.
- One defendant has alleged ineffective counsel while the other received a new attorney in November.
- The victim, Jose Ramirez, was allegedly lured to the scene during a Labor Day 2023 robbery.
A murder trial involving two defendants accused in the 2023 shooting death of a Savannah father is expected to be postponed following a motion filed by state prosecutors citing scheduling conflicts. Angelo Lamount Harley, 29, and Alexis Marie Williams, 29, are scheduled to appear before Judge Timothy Walmsley on Monday regarding charges stemming from the death of 38-year-old Jose Ramirez. According to court filings, the State submitted a motion two weeks ago to continue the trial due to conflicts with hearings in other cases, a request to which defense counsel did not object.
The indictment alleges that on Labor Day 2023, the pair lured Ramirez to a residence in the 1600 block of Damon Street. The Savannah Police Department reported that the fatal shooting occurred nearby at the intersection of Smart and Cleland Streets around 8:20 p.m. Ramirez, a father of four and local Bible teacher, was reportedly driving his van home at the time of the incident. Prosecutors contend that the homicide was the result of an armed robbery.
Court records indicate that Harley, who is alleged to have pulled the trigger, is a convicted felon. He was convicted of aggravated assault in June 2023, three months prior to Ramirez’s death, and has two additional prior convictions expected to be introduced during the proceedings. Williams was arrested in April 2024, while Harley was taken into custody roughly a month after the shooting.
Significant procedural developments have occurred leading up to the scheduled trial date. A new attorney was appointed to represent Williams on November 10. Meanwhile, Harley submitted a letter to the Clerk of Court on November 19, alleging "ineffective assistance of counsel and misconduct."
Legal Procedural Outlook
The anticipated continuance in this case highlights the logistical complexities often faced in high-stakes criminal litigation, particularly when balancing court dockets and ensuring adequate legal representation. With one defendant recently acquiring new counsel and the other formally expressing dissatisfaction with their representation, a delay may serve to resolve these procedural hurdles before a jury is empanelled. The upcoming hearing will likely determine the new timeline for the proceedings. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
