In the trial against Colin Gray, father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray, it continues into its sixth day on Monday, with Colt’s mother, Marcee, taking the stand. She has been subjected to intense questioning already in the trial by the prosecution, who have pressed her for insight into Colt’s alleged troubled home and family life.
Grandmother Testifies to Colt Gray’s Mental Health
Prosecutors believe Colin Gray had sufficient warning that his son was capable of committing a mass shooting, but still chose to buy him an assault rifle for Christmas. On Friday, Marcee’s mother and Colt’s grandmother, Deborah Polhamas, testified to her daughter’s drug addiction and erratic incidents, including when she tied Polhamas up to a chair and was later arrested for it.
Pohlamas offered insight into her grandson’s deteriorating mental health, which dates back to August 2024, a few weeks before the shooting. She overheard a heated argument between Colin and Marcee over Colt’s mental state. “Now, at this point, would it be safe to say that Colt’s mental and emotional health is kind of spiraling?” the prosecutor asked Pohlamas.
As Pohlamas confirmed the prosecution’s question, she further agreed that he had routinely violent outbursts, and that she spoke with Colin about Colt’s mental health and seeking professional help for the situation.
Disturbing Conversations Between Grandmother and Grandson
Jurors also were shown text messages between Pohlamas and her grandson, Colt Gray, dated August 16, 2024, which show the situation. One text from Colt read that if his Zoloft is not given to him, “things will turn really bad, really quickly,” and shortly after, he sent another panicked message when he could not find the medication, asking, “WHERE THE F*** IS MY ZOLOFT” and “I WILL LITERALLY DIE WITHOUT IT.”
He proceeded to text her profane messages such as “F*** you,” and calling her a “lying, 2 faced rat,” after threatening to kill them all. Pohlamas, being cautious and attempting to escalate the situation, replied, “I know you are upset and I am sorry – once again the lies are muddying up the waters – I am sorry we have such a screwed up family – I still love you and hope things will settle down.”
The prosecution continued with their questions but transitioned to August 26, 2024, after Colt had an anxiety attack at school, and Pohlamas was there to handle it. “At some point during that conversation, does he ask you a question that disturbs you?” the prosecutor asked, in which she responded, “Yes.”
Colt had asked his grandmother, ” ‘If I do something terrible, would you still love me?’” she recalled. “I think that’s the way it was worded.” The conversation took place only nine days before the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, where many were injured, killed, and forever traumatized.
“I asked him why he would say that, why would you think that I wouldn’t love you. And he said I don’t know. And I said well, why would you think about doing something terrible. He said oh no, I’m just asking.”
Charges Related to School Shooting
Colin Gray faces 29 counts, including murder in the second degree, cruelty to children in the second degree, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless conduct. It is alleged that the shooting is a direct result of his decision to give his son a weapon, despite knowing his mental health status, which was then used in the shooting.
Colt Gray opened fire at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 4, 2024, killing two 14-year-old students and two teachers — Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo, Cristina Irimie, and Richard Aspinwall. Colt, then 14 years old, was charged as an adult with 55 counts, including murder, aggravated assaults, and cruelty to children.
