Griffin Family Takes Stance Against Spousal Predatory Violence

(SE News Contributed to this story)

According to Atlanta Police, Shatikey and Demiya Griffin were murdered in their home early on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012.

Two days before the incident, a warrant had been taken out for Joseph Leonardo Smith, Shatikey Griffin’s committed marital partner, on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, in connection with an assault. Police, however, did not pick up Smith on that day or the next day.

Smith is now alleged to have strangled an East Point woman late on Sept. 22, and according to police, went on to shoot Shatikey Griffin and her young daughter a few hours later.

As Cascade Patch orginally reported, Smith barricaded himself inside the Griffin home before surrendering to APD and officers finding the two bodies inside.

Smith had been charged five times over the last 13 years, with three arrests for battery charges. He is now awaiting trial in Fulton County.

“We have been asking for a formal, written explanation as to why the Atlanta Police Department was delayed in issuing the warrant on Joseph,” the grieving mother and grandmother told gathered media from the podium in her front yard.

“We have asked to meet with the Chief of Police. We do not understand why the Atlanta Police Department has not officially responded.  If the police had acted in arresting Joseph immediately, Shatikey and Demiya would still be here with us today.”

Shatikey’s remaining son, DeArious Floyd, a junior at Benjamin E. Mays High School also spoke at the news conference.  Having fallen asleep at his grandmother’s home the night before his mother and sister were murdered, DeArious believes his life was spared.

The family intends to begin meeting with legislators and Atlanta’s community leaders this month, to have their proposed legislation introduced into the Georgia General Assembly and the United States Congress in the 2014 legislative session.

The Atlanta Police Department issued a statement shortly after the news conference, commending the Griffin family for their actions in proposing the legislation.

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