"Aggravating Circumstances" Charges Made against Shepherd Accused of Killing American Family
The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia (POG) have laid charges against 19-year-old shepherd Malkhaz Kobauri, who is accused of killing American family Ryan and Lora Smith and their 4-year old son Caleb in Khada Gorge, Georgia this summer.
The POG stated that Kobauri has been charged with raping Lora Smith and murdering her "in aggravating circumstances."
“The investigation has received important conclusions from expert analysis and questioning of Malkhaz Kobauri…and the Prosecutor has filed additional charges: the rape of Lora Smith and killing her in aggravated circumstances,” the POG stated.
Kobauri has been charged under Article 109, paragraph I, II,III, (involving murder in aggravating circumstances), and Article 137, paragraph I (involving rape, or sexual intercourse by use of violence, threat of violence or abusing the victim's helpless condition) of the criminal code of Georgia.
If proven guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment.
The Smith family lived in the town of Marneuli, south of Tbilisi, for seven years and were well respected members of the local and expat community.
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By Thea Morrison
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