A Georgia woman named Mary Katherine Higdon, who worked for many years as a preschool assistant, has been accused of killing the man who was her high school sweetheart in her home.
In the town of Griffin, Georgia, Higdon worked as a preschool teacher’s assistant at St. George’s Episcopal School. She is accused of shooting and killing a 23-year-old man named Steven Freeman. He was fondly remembered by his relatives, particularly for his Southern accent, dedication to helping others, and passion for fishing and hunting.
According to his Facebook page, Freeman worked as a metal worker at Drain Right Gutters & Roofing, Inc. and in the past as a stacker at the Food Depot. His Facebook page also has many photos of Freeman with Mary Katherine Higdon.
According to the description, Freeman was born and raised in the city of Griffin, Georgia, where he received his education at Spalding High School and Gordon State College. In 2012, Freeman changed his status on Facebook to indicate he was “in a relationship,” and as of that year he had not made any significant posts readily available to the public.
That would be Mary Katherine Higdon. Wikipedia
Mary Katherine is the main person of interest surrounding the death of Steven Freeman. She was also taken into custody by police when they arrived at the home the couple shared on Sunnybrook Drive in Griffin, Georgia, which is about an hour outside of Atlanta.
While Katherine’s case was in court, she was incarcerated in the Spalding County Jail. The charges against Mary were dropped.
Mary Katherine, a former classroom assistant, was accused of killing her boyfriend but was found not guilty.
Many in the courtroom were surprised when the judge decided to clear Mary Katherine Higdon of all charges including first degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a weapon during a crime.
They based their defense on allegations that Steven Freeman had experienced both sexual and physical violence in the past. In support of their claim that they acted in self-defense, Mary Katherine’s public defender, Michael Granims, presented several text conversations.
They enlisted the services of a professional who diagnosed Mary Katherine with Battered Woman Syndrome based on her symptoms. Before August 1, 2018, police had been called to the couple’s home five times, once over a fight between the couple’s family members.
Where will we find Mary Katherine Higdon in 2022?
There are many people who are interested in finding out where Mary Katherine is currently and what her current situation is. The teaching assistant, then only 24, was exonerated when a grand jury found she was not responsible for either the murder or possession of a firearm.
With proceedings on her side of the trial completed, Mary Katherine returned to her home in Griffin, Georgia. She kept it a secret and hasn’t been particularly active online since, possibly to avoid public and press attention.
It’s only logical to assume that Mary Katherine has put her horrific past behind her and is now leading a peaceful life away from the public eye.
What prompted Mary Katherine Higdon to open fire on her boyfriend is unknown
Mary Katherine Higdon is said to have told law enforcement that the gun had reportedly gone off accidentally. According to WSB-TV Atlanta, she said the gun fired as she passed it to Freeman in the back room of her home. She was there then.
Photos used as evidence in the indictment of Mary Katherine Higdon
As the news channel reports, the police deny that this account is correct. The investigator’s chief investigator told the TV channel that the evidence supports the government’s claim that there is a “purpose for killing”. He did not provide any further explanations.
After Steven Andrew Higdon was shot in the chest, he did not recover from his injuries and died. Higdon reportedly told WSB-TV that in response to the allegations leveled against her, she “didn’t understand what happened as she had never chambered a pistol”.
5 quick facts you need to know
1. According to the allegations, Mary Katherine Higdon claims that the gun was accidentally triggered
Higdon reportedly told police the firearm was accidentally fired. She said she was in the back room of her home when the gun went off as she handed it to Freeman, WSB-TV Atlanta reported.
The TV station, on the other hand, reports that the police do not share this representation. The lead detective told the news channel that the evidence allegedly revealed an “intent to kill,” but he gave no details to back his claim.
A bullet lodged in Steven Andrew Higdon’s chest was the cause of death.
According to the WSB report, TV’s Higdon stated that she “didn’t understand what happened as she never held a round in the chamber”. This refers to the fact that she never chambered a round.
2. Higdon and Freeman have been together since they were in school
Relatives of the couple’s families told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the couple had been together for seven years and were sweethearts in high school.
Josh Thacker, Freeman’s uncle, was quoted as saying, “The word devastation doesn’t even begin to affect him.” It’s quite difficult not to cry for even a few minutes at a time.
He continued by saying: “This has cost us the lives of two people. We mourn the loss of Steven but it is clear that our relationship with Mary Katherine will evolve and my thoughts and prayers are with the Higdon family at this difficult time as they are going through the same experience.
3. Higdon has been charged with murder and Freeman will be remembered for his unwavering loyalty and “heart of gold”.
Mary Katherine Higdon is being investigated following charges of manslaughter and possession of a firearm while committing a crime.
Freeman died at a local hospital. At around 10:42 p.m. on August 1, 2018, the police were called to the apartment.
An emotional obituary for Steven Freeman states that Steven was born on January 1, 1995 in Thomaston, Georgia.
“Steven lived a life of love, joy, compassion and loyalty.” He had a friend in everyone, but he was particularly close to those who shared his passion for hunting and fishing. According to his obituary, “He had a heart of gold, a springy step, and a beautiful southern train.”
“Steven’s love for you was shown by making you feel like the only other person in the world, always making you laugh until your stomach hurt, having a big smile on his face, giving you a bear hug, you fed deer meat and never left your side. He never lacked the courage to utter those three little words: “I love you.”
4. Steven Freeman was a metal worker
Freeman worked as a metal worker at Drain Right Gutters & Roofing, Inc., and he was a former forklift at the Food Depot, according to his Facebook page. His page also has several pictures of Freeman with Mary Katherine Higdon.
According to the profile, Freeman received his education from Gordon State College and attended Spalding High School in Griffin, Georgia. This is the same city where he was born and where he currently resides. In 2012, he updated his profile to indicate he was “in a relationship,” and there have been no notable posts from the past several years that have been publicly viewable.
Other older posts include phrases like “sooo bored. People are expected to have a good time on Friday night. However, it was in 2010 when Freeman was still a young teenager.
A family member sent a message on Facebook and said, “Thank you everyone for the love and support you have shown me and my family over the past few days.” Realizing that so many people care about us and care so much If you made an effort to cushion the blow we’re going through, Steven would be very happy. He never wanted any of us to be unhappy.
5. Previous reports indicate that the police were called to the residence
According to the WSB, investigators said they allegedly could smell alcohol on Higdon’s breath, and they also reported that she was mumbling.
In addition, the TV station said police had been called to the residence a total of five times over the past year, with two of those visits related to incidents of domestic violence and the other three visits related to animal-related issues.
According to the news channel, a neighbor claimed Higdon told authorities, “I didn’t want that.” Higdon was arrested for the crime.
