Griffin Leach sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his father, then burning down his house

Following a week-long trial, Griffin Leach was found guilty on Thursday, September 12, 2024, of malicious murder, aggravated murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, first-degree arson and concealing the death of another.

Leach was sentenced by Superior Court Judge W. Fletcher Sams to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 35 years consecutive.

At trial, evidence showed that on January 11, 2023, the defendant shot his father, William Leach, while he was lying in bed. Shortly thereafter, the defendant left the Fayetteville home they shared to buy beer at a local convenience store. Upon his return, he set fire to the house to cover up his father’s murder and left the residence.

The next morning at 2:26 a.m., a passerby noticed that the house at 246 Porter Road was engulfed in flames and called for help. As firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, the defendant drove past the scene of the fire and was arrested by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.

He told the officer that his father had set the house on fire after an argument and then shot himself. A .38 Special revolver was found in the defendant’s truck. Forensic tests later showed that the bullet found on the victim’s body had been fired from the .38 Special found in the defendant’s possession.

Further analysis also revealed the presence of gasoline on the victim’s body, on the bedding and on the defendant’s clothing. The defendant’s hands and clothing also tested positive for the presence of gunshot residue.

After the trial, District Attorney Marie Broder expressed gratitude to the law enforcement officers and prosecutors who tried the case.

“Justice was served thanks to the hard work of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the Georgia State Fire Marshall. My team had an incredible case to handle and everyone came together to fight for William Leach,” said Prosecutor Broder.

The case was investigated by Detective Zaj of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and prosecuted by Chief Deputy ADA Warren Sellers and Senior ADA Daniel Hiatt.