Hart County Man Found Guilty on All Counts in Double Murder Case

Morris Maurice Norwood was found guilty on October 2, 2024, of all 15 charges against him, including two counts of Malice Murder and four counts of Felony Murder, in the Hart County Superior Court. The charges stem from the murders of 26-year-old Jerece Teasley and 25-year-old Alexius Spencer, both from Hartwell.

The investigation, conducted by the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), revealed critical evidence linking Norwood to the crime. Footage captured Norwood in his vehicle at his employer’s location shortly before the shooting, and DNA evidence connected him to a cigarette discarded at the scene. The cigarette’s DNA matched Norwood’s, and a similar brand was found in his vehicle.

Further evidence included Norwood’s Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, which was discovered in a nearby yard. Forensic analysis confirmed that the firearm matched projectiles recovered from the victims’ bodies. Additionally, Norwood had attempted to conceal a pill bottle containing crack cocaine with his name on it.

Cellphone records indicated that Norwood called Teasley multiple times before the shooting but made no calls after the murders.

On October 7, 2024, Norwood was sentenced to the longest sentence ever delivered by Judge Jeffery Malcom. For the 15 counts in the indictment, Norwood received Life without Parole for each count of Malice Murder, served consecutively. This was followed by 40 years each for two counts of Terroristic Acts, also consecutive to the murder counts, and an additional 5 years for each of the two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, 5 years for Possession of Cocaine, and 5 years for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In total, Norwood received a sentence of LIFE without parole, followed by LIFE without parole, followed by 100 years in the Department of Corrections.

This sentence is a testament to the hard work of the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in bringing this murderer to justice.