Crime & Safety

Kelly Marlow's False Statement Trial Starts Today

The Cherokee school board member and two associates face felony false statement charges after they accused Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo of trying to run them over last summer.

Today — Monday, April 21 — is the first day in which a Cherokee County School Board member and two of her associates will stand trail for allegedly making false statements when they accused Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo of trying to run them over last summer in downtown Canton. 

District 1 member Kelly Marlow, along with her partner Robert Trim and Woodstock resident Barbara Knowles, will all appear in Cherokee County Superior Court at 9 a.m. today for the trial. 

Judge Ellen McElyea is expected to preside over the case. The trio in June accused Dr. Petruzielo of trying to run them over in his vehicle as they crossed East Main Street in downtown Canton after a June school board meeting. 

After investigating the allegations, the Canton Police Department later issued arrest warrants for the trio's arrest. 

A Cherokee County grand jury later indicted Marlow on four felony counts of making false statements in relation to the allegations against the superintendent.

Trim was indicted on three counts of making false statements while Knowles was indicted on one count of filing a false report and four counts of making false statements. 

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Knowles, who serves as the secretary of the Cherokee County Republican Party, made the original call to Cherokee County E-911 to report the allegations. 

A panel appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal in November ruled Marlow could remain in office while the case moved forward, noting the "indictment does not relate to or adversely affect Marlow’s ability to perform her official duties."

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