Shirley Merritt Murder Case: How a Top Personal Injury Lawyer in Georgia Became a Convicted Killer

The shocking murder of Shirley Merritt rocked DeKalb County, Georgia in 2019.

Her son, Richard Merritt, a once-respected attorney, was convicted of brutally killing her in an act of betrayal that left the community in disbelief.

But how did this once-promising attorney fall so far? 

Let’s get into it.

Shirley Merritt

Who Is Richard Merritt and What Did He Do?

Richard Merritt, born in 1974, seemed destined for success. 

He was raised by his parents, Shirley and Robert Merritt, and he enjoyed a stable upbringing.

He eventually studied law and later became a practicing attorney in Georgia. 

Merritt specialized in personal injury cases, gaining a reputation as a top injury lawyer in the region. 

However, behind the scenes, he was embezzling funds from his clients.

Between 2014 and 2016, Merritt stole over $400,000 of his client’s settlement. 

His financial crimes caught up with him in 2018.

As a result, he was disbarred, arrested, and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Shirley Merritt

On February 1, 2019—the day he was supposed to report to prison—he brutally murdered his 77-year-old mother, Shirley Merritt, and fled the state.

Shirley, a real estate agent, had supported Richard emotionally and financially, even mortgaging her home to secure his bail.

Richard Merritt visited his mother at her home in Stone Mountain that day.

As a loving mother, she decided to prepare one final meal for him before he reported to prison.

Tragically, she was killed in her own kitchen, suffering stab wounds and blunt-force trauma. 

Investigators later revealed that Richard Merritt used a kitchen knife and a 35-pound dumbbell in the attack.

While the exact motive for Richard's killing of his mother remains unclear, investigators suspect a heated argument over the significant debt he owed her. 

Detectives found out that Richard owed his mother approximately $500,000.

Richard Merritt

How Did Police Investigate Shirley Merritt's Murder?

On February 2, 2019, a concerned relative found Shirley Merritt's lifeless body in her apartment after she couldn't be reached. 

They quickly contacted law enforcement in DeKalb County leading to a criminal investigation.

Detectives from The DeKalb County Police Department conducted a thorough investigation with assistance from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. 

They soon determined that Shirley had died from a combination of blunt force trauma and stab wounds.

In fact, the knife used to kill her was still lodged in her face when crime scene investigators initially arrived. 

Richard Merritt’s ankle monitor, meant to ensure his compliance before reporting to prison, was discovered cut and discarded in a gas station trash can.

This indicated that he had deliberately cut it off.

His mother's car, a 2009 Lexus RX 350, was missing. 

Further investigation soon revealed that Merritt fled the state using her vehicle.

With Merritt on the run, law enforcement, including The U.S. Marshals Service launched a nationwide manhunt. 

Eight months later, in September 2019, Richard’s mother’s stolen Lexus was found in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Receipts and flyers inside the vehicle led investigators to where Richard Merritt had been living under the alias Mick Malveaux. 

He was arrested at a thrift store on September 30, 2019, ending his time as a fugitive.

Richard Merritt's arrest

Richard Merritt’s Trial and Sentence

Richard Merritt’s trial in DeKalb County, Georgia, began in 2021. 

He faced charges of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault. 

Richard Merritt however maintained his innocence.

He claimed two armed men broke into the house and killed his mother while holding him at gunpoint.

He said the men threatened him that if he told authorities, they would find him and kill him.

He claimed this made him pack his bags and run away instead of reporting to law enforcement. 

The jury, however, found his story implausible.

This decision was influenced by testimony from family members and witnesses who painted a picture of a man consumed by greed and self-interest.

Richard Merritt's mugshot

During sentencing, Richard Merritt’s brother, Rob, expressed his pain and inability to forgive him

Merritt’s cousin, Mike Jefcoat, also gave an emotional saying:

“He couldn’t stand the idea of someone like him being sent to prison. His whole life has been a pretext. I just want the court to know what an evil person he is in the eyes of his family.”

In the end, Richard Merritt was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to life without parole. 

The verdict brought some closure to a family shattered by his actions.

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