HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — A Henry County jury has convicted Marlon Freeman of rape in connection with a sexual assault that occurred in May 2016.
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Law enforcement officers used renewed investigative efforts and DNA evidence to link Freeman to the assault and advance the case toward prosecution.
Superior Court Judge Chaundra L. Lewis sentenced Freeman to life in prison following the guilty verdict.
The case had remained unsolved for years until new investigative leads surfaced in 2023.
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The Henry County jury convicted Freeman of rape on Oct. 29. Judge Lewis handed down the life sentence the following day, Oct. 30.
In addition to the prison term, Freeman is required to register as a sex offender. The case was prosecuted by the Henry County District Attorney’s Office’s Sexual Assault Unit.
Following the sentencing, prosecutors with the Henry County District Attorney’s Office highlighted the long-standing efforts to resolve the case.
“This conviction sends a clear message: The passage of time does not diminish our commitment to pursuing justice,” a prosecutor for the office said.
Prosecutors also acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved in the investigation and trial.
“We commend the courage of the survivor, the persistence of law enforcement investigators and the dedicated work of our prosecution team in bringing this case to a successful conclusion,” the prosecutor added.
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