The Criminal Defense Practicum, in partnership with the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office and the Southern Center for Human Rights, secured a full acquittal for its client facing a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. Practicum Director Elizabeth Taxel served as lead counsel throughout the nine-day trial in DeKalb County Superior Court. Third-year students Charles A. "Charlie" McKeown and Hailey S. Laurie provided ongoing trial support alongside administrative assistant Jessie Des Jardines, who created the trial’s exhibits and demonstratives. Former practicum students and 2022 graduates Benjamin S. Causey, Alexandria H. "Alex" Clark, Donavan C. Juleus, Ariane C. Williams and Daniel M. Zimmer as well as 2021 graduates Michael R. "Mike" O'Brien and Marshall W. Harbin assisted with investigation and pretrial litigation, including the successful litigation against Facebook, Inc., to compel access to exculpatory evidence.