A 28-year-old man, David Proffitt, has been found guilty of murder and other charges in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Alexandra Hemmann. The jury delivered its verdict on Thursday after deliberating for about an hour.
Proffitt, who was arrested in August 2023 after friends reported a welfare check at Hemmann’s apartment, confessed to BGPD Detectives David Grimsley and Kyle Scharlow that he had strangled Hemmann with a carotid sleeper hold and manual strangulation. The medical examiner testified that Hemmann died from asphyxiation.
The trial revealed that Proffitt had taken steps to conceal the crime, including writing checks in Hemmann’s name and selling her belongings. He was also convicted of being a second-degree persistent felony offender, which enhanced his punishment.
Proffitt’s friends and acquaintances testified that he and Hemmann had been together for a while, but had arguments on the night before her death. The jury heard evidence of text messages between Proffitt and Hemmann indicating that she was worried about their relationship.
During his police interview, Proffitt described how he strangled Hemmann, saying “She was begging me to stop, saying we can fix everything, but I just didn’t listen.” He also claimed that Hemmann’s last words were “I love you, please stop, I can’t breathe.”
Proffitt chose not to testify in his own defense, and his lawyers rested without presenting any evidence. The jury found him guilty of intentional murder, wanton murder, and first-degree manslaughter.
The verdict brings closure to Hemmann’s family, who had been searching for answers since her death. Her mother testified that the loss of her daughter has left a gaping hole in their family and that she would never celebrate another Christmas again.
Source: https://bgdailynews.com/2026/06/19/man-convicted-in-2023-bg-murder-case-jury-recommends-life-sentence