BARROW COUNTY, GA — Testimony continued into the second week of the trial of Colin Gray as the mother of the accused Apalachee High School shooter described her son’s behavior and family conflicts ahead of the 2024 shooting.
Marcee Gray told jurors that by 2023 her son Colt was vandalizing their home and her car and that she knew of his interest in mass shootings, but she did not believe he was planning a school shooting.
“He never showed an interest in a way that led me to believe he was idolizing anyone,” Marcee Gray said.
The judge denied a mistrial motion from the defense after Marcee Gray testified that her husband was emotionally abusing their son.
Defense attorneys had sought a mistrial following that testimony.
Marcee Gray was expected to be a lengthy witness and could face several hours of questioning from prosecutors followed by cross-examination from the defense.
Barrow County Assistant District Attorney Patricia Brooks told the judge that Marcee Gray was late to court, which led to the jury being sent home early. Marcee Gray said, “I will be driving myself on Monday, so other family members won’t be involved.”
Prosecutors argued Colin Gray had primary custody of his son and was responsible for addressing the teen’s “spiraling mental health,” but allegedly ignored warning signs and gave him access to the gun used in the shooting that killed four people and injured nine others.
The defense argued Marcee Gray had information about the teen’s behavior that she did not share with her husband, including that the teen sent money to a convicted Florida school shooter and lied to his father to obtain the cash.
Jurors have heard testimony describing a tumultuous home life and the teen’s anger over his mother’s addictions.
WSB Radio’s Veronica Waters contributed to this story.
