Posted on 09/16/2024 10:31:25 AM PDT by Morgana
Christopher Griggs is standing trial this week, accused of violently killing a beloved Atlanta pastor in May 2022. Rev. Marita Harrell was the senior pastor at Connections at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Before the murder, she was mentoring the formerly incarcerated Griggs, attempting to help him get his life back on track.
“God has placed these people in my life, I cannot turn away from them,” Harrell told her husband before her death.
[Editor’s Note: This article includes details of the murder that some readers might find disturbing.] Christopher Griggs Stands Trial for Brutal Murder of Beloved Pastor Marita Harrell
On May 18, 2022, Rev. Marita Harrell was killed. When she didn’t arrive home for dinner that day, her husband, Antonio Harrell, and older daughter, Marae Harrell, tracked her phone and went looking for her. The two found Harrell’s body in her van on Coffee Road, a remote road in the area.
Earlier that day, Harrell was counseling Griggs at his home, where the alleged murder took place. The two had been meeting for several months as Harrell wanted to help rehabilitate Griggs. She was stabbed multiple times, burned in her own van, and left by the side of the road.
The state said the pastor texted a friend, “If I should disappear, check out Chris Griggs” and included his address.
Griggs was arrested on May 19, 2022, and is charged with malice murder and first-degree arson. At the time of the murder, Griggs was out on bond awaiting trials for sexual assault and impersonating an officer.
The murder trial has just begun and is expected to last a week, according to local Fox 5 Atlanta news. As the trial began, Griggs abruptly requested to talk with his counsel and to be removed from the courtroom. He was not present in the courtroom for the rest of the day.
Griggs’ lawyers explained that the actual killer of Harrell was Lakeya Reid, a woman who rented Griggs a room in her home.
The state mentioned that Reid was in the home at the time of the murder. Reid told jurors that she and Griggs had a close relationship. On May 18, she explained, Griggs asked her to follow him to a remote location on Coffee Road.
Reid argued that she didn’t know Harrell had been killed or that Griggs put her body in the car. Reid is expected to testify later in the trial. Marita Harrell Was Passionate About Helping Others
The Rev. Michael McQueen, the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) local district superintendent, said of Harrell, “She was passionate about what she did, which was helping those who are lost and left out. She was doing what she loved to do. That’s what makes this so tragic.”
In fall 2021, Harrell began to counsel Griggs. She mentored him and attempted to help him make changes. Griggs had been arrested multiple times and spent time incarcerated.
Despite Harrell’s efforts, Griggs didn’t show up for two separate court hearings. Bench warrants were issued for his arrest, one for each of the failed appearances.
“I am grateful that the Lord she represented so well was with her in all things and accompanied her to her eternal home,” said Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the UMC’s North Georgia Conference. “May his Spirit comfort those of us who remain.”
The Family of Rev. Marita Harrell Loved Her Dearly and Was Concerned for Her Safety
Harrell was said to be a “ferocious advocate” for her two daughters and family. She loved everybody and wanted to help and serve others.
Her husband and two daughters had concerns about some of the people she was mentoring. Harrell would respond by explaining God’s call on her life.
“That was a point of contention between the two of us, between all of us, especially with this gentleman because he called two weeks ago,” said her husband Antonio. “She told me, ‘Antonio, God has placed these people in my life, I cannot turn away from them.’”
Marae, Harrell’s older daughter who searched for Harrell with her father said, “I was there and I still didn’t believe it. I was expecting her to wake up, open her eyes or move.”
“She had an open, wonderful and accepting heart, and she was always willing to learn about new people, and she loved people,” said Harrell’s younger daughter Alyse Harrell.
“Her light will be shining forever. She’s gonna be around forever,” Marae concluded.
I pray justice is served.
Likewise.
I agree with you. I can’t call her out only because I suspect she was doing what God told her to do.
If you notice in the Bible all the saints who ever died were doing the same thing when people killed them. She was not afraid to die for Jesus.
Sometimes you should not listen to the voice you think is God. The first thing is that God gave you the ability to know when you are in danger. The saying that God helps those who help themselves is appropriate. A wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf. I think there is something in the New Testament about wolves in sheeps’ clothing. I don’t remember exactly but I think it means to be alert to deception. The fact that she had to consider her own disappearance means that she had some sense that ad things would happen.
Upshot .. don’t counsel repeat offenders at their home...she had a kind heart...but don’t cast your pearls before swine...
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