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Judge rules on motions in South Forsyth grad’s murder case
6. Murder case severed Miguez mug
Miguez

DAWSONVILLE — While the trials of two men charged in connection with the 2014 death of a South Forsyth High School graduate and well-known volunteer parks and recreation coach in Dawson County did not begin as originally scheduled in mid-September, motions on behalf of the defendants continue to move the case forward.

Most recently, Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Jason Deal ruled that statements Tory Jude Miguez made to authorities voluntarily and without an attorney would not be suppressed.

According to the Sept. 10 ruling, Miguez was not under arrest at the time he made the statements in question.

In August, Deal granted a motion filed on behalf of Herman James "Bo" Seppenfield, 51, to sever his proceedings from those of Miguez.

Seppenfield was reportedly the triggerman in the shooting death of 37-year-old Brandon Weaver, who died from injuries sustained in a Nov. 22, 2014, fight that escalated to gunfire.

Weaver was shot twice, once in the chest and once in the side. The father of three and 1995 South grad died at the scene, a short time after emergency responders arrived.

Seppenfield has been in custody since his Dec. 6 arrest. He faces charges of felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony crime.

Miguez, 25, has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a felony crime.

The fight reportedly started when Weaver and another man, since identified as Marty Buice, arrived at the Whitney Place home to confront the people living there.

Authorities said Weaver's son had been at a birthday party at the home several hours earlier that evening and had called home to say he wanted to leave.

Dawson County Sheriff's Capt. Tony Wooten said the child felt uncomfortable about something going on at the party.

According to court records, attorneys for Seppenfield have indicated they want a change of venue for the trial.

Reports have appeared online and been broadcast on radio and TV in Dawson County and surrounding areas, which they said have “the potential of severely prejudicing" his client.

On Sept. 3, Deal granted Seppenfield's motion to reserve the right to move for a change of venue if one cannot be seated locally.

As of last week, continuance date for the trials had not been set.

There are two more weeks set aside in 2015 for scheduled trial dates, otherwise the case would move onto the 2016 calendar.

A status hearing on the Seppenfield case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 30.