DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The trial for a man who is accused of stabbing and burning the body of an Atlanta pastor in 2022 began on Tuesday.
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Jurors are currently being selected after Christopher Griggs entered a not-guilty plea into the system in the death of Rev. Marita Harrell.
Griggs is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, concealing the death of another, tampering with evidence, and felony theft by taking.
Harrell was the pastor of the Connections at Metropolitan UMC in Atlanta. Police reports revealed that she was meeting with Griggs, who had recently been released from jail, for ministry work.
Police made the gruesome discovery on May 18, 2022, when Harrell's body was found. According to a police report, Harrell was stabbed at a home along Panola Road and was taken to Coffee Road, where she was found burned and dead in her vehicle.
According to her Connections at Metropolitan Bio, she lived in the city for over 30 years up until her death.
She graduated from Emory's Candler School of Theology with a Master of Divinity degree in 2014.
Once jurors have been selected, prosecutors and defense attorneys will begin opening statements.