What did the Court of Appeals decide?

The Court of Appeals found it did not have jurisdiction over the appeal and transferred the case to the Georgia Supreme Court.

Why was the case transferred to the Supreme Court?

Because felony murder is a crime for which the death penalty could be imposed, the Georgia Constitution gives the Supreme Court appellate jurisdiction over such cases.

Who does this affect?

The transfer affects Santavious Roberts (the appellant) and the State; the Supreme Court will now consider the appeal.

Can this order be appealed?

No separate appeal of the transfer order is appropriate; the appeal will proceed before the Supreme Court for disposition.

Santavious Roberts v. State

Docket A26A1594

Court of record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Criminal Appeal

Filed: Apr 1, 2026 · 1 month ago
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Court: Court of Appeals of Georgia
Type: Opinion
Case type: Criminal Appeal
Docket: A26A1594

Appeal from a felony-murder conviction and life sentence.

Summary

The Court of Appeals determined it lacks jurisdiction over Santavious Roberts's appeal from a November 21, 2024 felony-murder conviction and life sentence because the Georgia Supreme Court has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over cases in which the death penalty could be imposed. The Court of Appeals therefore transferred the appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia for disposition, citing the state constitution, the felony-murder statute, and recent precedent recognizing the Supreme Court's practice of reviewing all murder cases even when death was not sought.

Issues Decided

Whether the Court of Appeals has jurisdiction to hear an appeal in a felony-murder case for which the death penalty could be imposed.
Whether the appeal should be transferred to the Supreme Court of Georgia because the death-penalty jurisdictional provision applies.

Court's Reasoning

The court relied on the Georgia Constitution provision granting the Supreme Court appellate jurisdiction over cases where the death penalty was imposed or could be imposed. Because felony murder is a crime for which the death penalty may be imposed under OCGA § 16-5-1(c), jurisdiction lies with the Supreme Court. Recent precedent shows the Supreme Court has exercised that jurisdiction broadly, so the Court of Appeals transferred the case to the Supreme Court.

Authorities Cited

Georgia Constitution, Art. VI, Sec. VI, Par. III(8)
OCGA § 16-5-1(c), (e)(1) (felony murder statute)
Hart v. State322 Ga. 1 (2025)

Parties

Appellant: Santavious Roberts
Appellee: The State
Court: Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
Court: Supreme Court of Georgia

Key Dates

Sentence imposed: 2024-11-21
Notice of appeal filed: 2025-04-10
Court of Appeals order date: 2026-04-01

What You Should Do Next

1
Proceed with appeal in Supreme Court
The appeal record and filings will be transmitted to the Supreme Court of Georgia, which will docket and address the appeal.
2
Consult appellate counsel
Counsel for Roberts should confirm the record and briefing schedule with the Supreme Court and consider preservation of any jurisdictional or substantive issues.
3
Monitor Supreme Court deadlines
Parties should watch for the Supreme Court's issuance of a docket number, briefing schedule, and any orders governing proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Court of Appeals decide?: The Court of Appeals found it did not have jurisdiction over the appeal and transferred the case to the Georgia Supreme Court.
Why was the case transferred to the Supreme Court?: Because felony murder is a crime for which the death penalty could be imposed, the Georgia Constitution gives the Supreme Court appellate jurisdiction over such cases.
Who does this affect?: The transfer affects Santavious Roberts (the appellant) and the State; the Supreme Court will now consider the appeal.
Can this order be appealed?: No separate appeal of the transfer order is appropriate; the appeal will proceed before the Supreme Court for disposition.

The above suggestions and answers are AI-generated for informational purposes only. They may contain errors. NoticeRegistry assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on them.

Full Filing Text

Court of Appeals
of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________
April 01, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A1594. SANTAVIOUS ROBERTS v. THE STATE.

Santavious Roberts pled guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to life in
prison on November 21, 2024. On April 10, 2025, Roberts filed a notice of appeal
directed to this Court. We lack jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court of Georgia has appellate jurisdiction over “[a]ll cases in
which a sentence of death was imposed or could be imposed.” Ga. Const. of 1983, Art.
VI, Sec. VI, Par. III(8). Because a penalty of death may be imposed for the crime of
felony murder, jurisdiction over this appeal lies in the Supreme Court. See OCGA
§ 16-5-1(c), (e)(1); see also Hart v. State, 322 Ga. 1, 10(1) (917 SE2d 631) (2025) (even
in murder cases in which the death penalty was not sought, the Supreme Court has
opted to exercise its jurisdiction to review all such cases). Thus, this appeal is hereby
TRANSFERRED to the Supreme Court for disposition.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________
04/01/2026
I certify that the above is a true extract from
the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Witness my signature and the seal of said court
hereto affixed the day and year last above written.

, Clerk.