Grand Jury Indicts Suspect in the Vicious Beating of Man Who Helped Mayor's Daughters

State vs. Apollo Holmes

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the indictment today of 25-year old Apollo Holmes of Pontiac, Michigan. He is charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Battery for attacking a man who came to the aid of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's daughters.

According to investigators, Kai and Kali Franklin were leaving the D'jango Restaurant and Lounge on Peachtree Street in the early morning hours of December 26, 2007 when a group of men approached them and tried to coax them into being videotaped. The women refused and an argument ensued. As the arguing escalated, the victim, 42-year old Darius Miller, who had gone ahead to his car, returned to check on the sisters. There was a struggle and Miller ended up on the ground. That's when witnesses say the defendant, Apollo Holmes, stomped the victim in the chest---causing his heart to stop briefly. Miller lapsed into a coma a short time later. He is not expected to recover.

Holmes was arrested on December 31, 3007 but was released on bond.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov