A Spalding County Jury heard the case of the State of Georgia vs Michael Whitehead on June 9, 2025. Mr. Whitehead was charged in a multi-count indictment to include two counts of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a Felony, Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, Criminal Damage to property in the First Degree and additional misdemeanor charges. 

The case was tried in the Superior Court of Spalding County before the Honorable Chief Judge Scott L. Ballard. Assistant District Attorney Kevin Ofchus and Chief Assistant District Attorney David Studdard tried the case for the State.

During the two-day trial, the jury heard evidence that Whitehead became agitated with another driver and in a fit of road rage, fired four shots into the victim’s pickup truck. Also in the truck with the victim was his ten-year-old son.  The jury saw video in which Whitehead continued to pursue the victims after he shot into their pickup truck.  The jury also saw video of Whitehead ramming his vehicle into a police officer’s vehicle as he tried to escape from law enforcement and ultimately hit another innocent victim head on with his vehicle. He was subsequently taken into custody. 

The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all but one felony count. Judge Ballard sentenced Whitehead to 25 years in prison followed by 10 years on probation. Whitehead faces additional charges in Henry County related to this incident.  

District Attorney Marie Broder said of the verdict “The jury’s verdict sends a clear message that this type of lawless and reckless behavior will not be tolerated by our community. My office, along with our Law Enforcement partners, will continue to work to ensure these kinds of things do not happen and that the citizens of Spalding County are protected.”