Roberts v. State - Felony Murder Appeal Transfer
Summary
The Georgia Court of Appeals transferred Santavious Roberts' felony murder appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia. Roberts pled guilty to felony murder and received a life sentence in November 2024. The transfer was ordered because the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over all cases where a death sentence may be imposed, which includes felony murder convictions.
What changed
The Georgia Court of Appeals issued an order transferring case A26A1594 (Santavious Roberts v. State) to the Supreme Court of Georgia. Roberts entered a guilty plea to felony murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment on November 21, 2024, and subsequently filed a notice of appeal on April 10, 2025. The Court of Appeals lacked jurisdiction under Article VI, Section VI, Paragraph III(8) of the Georgia Constitution, which grants the Supreme Court exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all cases in which a sentence of death was imposed or could be imposed. Because the death penalty may be imposed for felony murder under OCGA § 16-5-1(c), (e)(1), the transfer was mandatory.
No compliance actions are required from regulated entities. This is a procedural jurisdictional transfer with no penalties, reporting requirements, or comment periods. Criminal defense practitioners and prosecutors should note that felony murder appeals automatically transfer to the Supreme Court regardless of whether the death penalty was actually sought, consistent with the Hart v. State decision.
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April 1, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note
Santavious Roberts v. State
Court of Appeals of Georgia
- Citations: None known
- Docket Number: A26A1594
Disposition: Transferred To Supreme Court
Disposition
Transferred To Supreme Court
Combined Opinion
Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia
ATLANTA,____________________
April 01, 2026
The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:
A26A1594. SANTAVIOUS ROBERTS v. THE STATE.
Santavious Roberts pled guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to life in
prison on November 21, 2024. On April 10, 2025, Roberts filed a notice of appeal
directed to this Court. We lack jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court of Georgia has appellate jurisdiction over “[a]ll cases in
which a sentence of death was imposed or could be imposed.” Ga. Const. of 1983, Art.
VI, Sec. VI, Par. III(8). Because a penalty of death may be imposed for the crime of
felony murder, jurisdiction over this appeal lies in the Supreme Court. See OCGA
§ 16-5-1(c), (e)(1); see also Hart v. State, 322 Ga. 1, 10(1) (917 SE2d 631) (2025) (even
in murder cases in which the death penalty was not sought, the Supreme Court has
opted to exercise its jurisdiction to review all such cases). Thus, this appeal is hereby
TRANSFERRED to the Supreme Court for disposition.
Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
04/01/2026
I certify that the above is a true extract from
the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Witness my signature and the seal of said court
hereto affixed the day and year last above written.
, Clerk.
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