Charges dropped against woman in death of mother

New evidence after the arrest leads to Gwinnett reversal.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Charges against a woman accused of killing her mother were dropped Friday after authorities found evidence in the case that was not readily available to investigators at the time of her arrest, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Jacquelyn Craft was released from custody just before 4 p.m. Friday, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said.

“After careful examination of all of the evidence (we) have determined the proper and ethical course of action is to administratively dismiss the charges against Jacquelyn Craft and she will be released from custody,” Gwinnett assistant district attorney Dan Mayfield said in a statement.

Jacquelyn Craft, 35, was charged with murder and aggravated assault in the death of her 65-year-old mother, Evelyn Craft. Police said the mother was stabbed in the chest and covered in blood.

Craft told police she found her mother stabbed to death in their Snellville home about 7:30 p.m. Monday last week, AJC.com previously reported. Craft told police she believed her mother committed suicide.

But Gwinnett police, who were called to the Leach Road home about 11:30 p.m., said evidence at the scene contradicted her story.

Mayfield said the investigation was conducted in conjunction with police and the district attorney’s office and both parties agreed at the time that charges should be filed.

An autopsy was conducted by the Gwinnett Medical Examiner’s Office, but according to Mayfield that evidence was not provided to investigators before the arrest was made.

“The continued investigation and the post mortem examination revealed evidence which was not available to investigators at the time of arrest,” Mayfield said.

Detectives are investigating this case as a suspicious death.