Former Doraville officer sentenced to life in Gwinnett County teenager’s murder

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The jury has reached a verdict in the trial of a former Doraville police officer charged with kidnapping and killing a Gwinnett County teen.

VERDICT:

• Malice murder: GUILTY
• Felony murder: GUILTY
• Kidnapping: GUILTY
• Attempted rape: NOT GUILTY
• False report of a crime: GUILTY

Miles Bryant was charged with kidnapping and killing 16-year-old Susana Morales, who disappeared in July 2022.

He was sentenced to life without parole.

Bryant also spoke briefly before the sentencing.

“I just want to apologize to everybody and the victim’s family. That’s it,” he said.

Bryant was arrested about seven months after Morales vanished when a random citizen stumbled upon her remains and Bryant’s department-issued gun. Police say the gun was found near her decomposed body.

State prosecutors told jurors by the end of the trial, evidence would show them Bryant’s phone pinged to the location where Morales’ body was found in the hours after she went missing.

Attorney Tracy Drake, who’s representing Bryant, told jurors no evidence proves Bryant kidnapped, raped or killed Morales.

“We are profoundly sad for the Morales family,” Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said in a statement after the sentencing. “The despicable nature of the defendant’s acts is compounded by the fact that he was a police officer at the time. Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers are highly dedicated to serving the public good every day. Thank you to GCPD for the work that made today’s verdict possible.”

>> WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 TRIAL COVERAGE:

>> PREVIOUS TRIAL COVERAGE:

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