GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — During a motions hearing Tuesday, prosecutors argued to allow several pieces of evidence that allege a former Doraville Police Department officer may have had a history of disturbing behavior driven by sexual desires prior to the death of Susana Morales.
Morales was found dead in Gwinnett County in February 2023. She was originally reported missing in July 2022. She was 16 years old.
As her accused murderer former Officer Miles Bryant waits to move forward with his trial, his legal team and prosecutors worked to see what evidence can be used.
Prosecutors detailed several instances where Bryant broke into teens' apartments to steal their undergarments. He also allegedly sent photographs and videos of women engaging in sexual acts to himself without their permission. According to the special prosecutor, multiple women told police they had no knowledge Bryant allegedly used their phones to send himself the sexual material. The filing also said Bryant allegedly committed some of these acts while acting in his duties as a police officer.
"Every moment of his existence seems to be predicated on his desire to sexually satisfy himself," said the special prosecutor.
In one incident, the state said Bryant allegedly told a young girl that someone could rape and kill her because she reportedly ran away from her family. The events in the incident are eerily similar to those reported in Morales’ murder case, prosecutors noted.
Bryant would also allegedly record himself sexually assaulting his significant other while she was unconscious or asleep without her knowledge.
This woman spoke during Tuesday's hearing. When asked if this was a normal interaction between the two to initiate sex, the woman said yes but then changed her answer to no.
The judge said she would decide on these motions at a later date, but did grant a motion to allow video from Bryant's initial questioning and arrest to be allowed in trial.
The start of the trial is June 3rd. Attorneys expect jury selection to take two days and the trial to last two to three weeks.
Investigators originally accused Bryant of dumping Morales’ naked body in the woods. Gwinnett County Police later detailed a timeline of how they believed Bryant killed her after she’d gone to visit a friend the night of July 26, 2022.
Bryant faces malice and felony murder, kidnapping, criminal attempt to commit rape, and false report of a crime.