Pre-trial Hearing for Accused Church Rapist Postponed

The pre-trial hearing for John Russell Carver, the man accused of brutally raping a worker at a church on Memorial Drive, was postponed today, Monday. Carver was due to appear before Judge Michael Hancock in DeKalb Superior Court.

According to a statement made by District Attorney Robert James, Carver was not able to appear in Superior Court because of “parole issues." He was transferred to State Court custody in order to answer to other charges. 

“The hearing will be postponed to another date. [The case] could be resolved by October, but it may go over to the holiday season,” James said.

Carver was indicted by a grand jury on 12 counts, including rape, armed robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, burglary and possession of a knife during commission of a robbery. 

“As cases go this case has been a shining example of quick justice,” James said. “It’s remarkable how fast we’ve been able to get this case tied up."

James, who is the lead counsel on the case, said this was a case close to his heart. 

“My background was in the special victims unit. Because of the brutal nature of this case I am committed to sticking with this trial,” the prosecutor said.