Colt Gray's Mother Testifies
The second week of Colin Gray's trial in Barrow County began Monday morning with testimony from his ex-wife, Marcee Gray, who is also Colt Gray's mother. The prosecution focused on clarifying Colt's deteriorating mental health and the unstable family environment leading up to the September 4, 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School.
Marcee Gray testified that as early as 2021, the school had warned Colt about attempts to bypass internet filters to search for "how to kill my dad." After she left in 2022 and Colt lived with his father, she noticed her son became "aggressive and unpredictable," using a knife to damage cars and the house. In July 2024, Colt experienced a severe panic attack, described as "curling up and sobbing uncontrollably," and demanded that 911 be called.
Lack of Communication and Access to Firearms
Another focus of the testimony was the lack of communication with Colin Gray. Marcee accused him of blocking her phone number, not facilitating visits, and not informing her about Colt's access to firearms.
The prosecution used this testimony to reinforce the accusation that Colin Gray was "criminally negligent" in providing his son with a SIG Sauer M400 rifle, despite being aware of his severe mental health crises. Previously, the jury had viewed bodycam footage from the day of the incident, capturing Colin Gray saying, "Oh my God, I knew it" upon hearing about the school lockdown — a detail the prosecution argues indicates an awareness of impending danger.
Warning Signs Ignored
During the first week, the prosecution presented ignored warning signs leading up to the shooting, calling students, school staff, and family members to testify, including Colt's grandmother, who stated she purchased ammunition for her grandson after confirming his father's consent. The jury also watched videos from previous police visits to the home regarding online threats, along with the school district's digital monitoring system which alerts for keywords on student devices.
The trial continued throughout the day with additional questioning of Marcee Gray. Colin Gray pleaded not guilty; the defense team argued that he could not have foreseen the attack and rejected accusations of criminal responsibility.
