On Oct. 19, 2026, the Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision that canceled the deed transfer from Lynette Murphy to her stepson James Heard and awarded $57,600 in damages to Rany Logan, the guardian.
The case began when Murphy, who had been experiencing memory loss since 2013, signed over her interest in a Rome, Georgia home to Heard in 2020. Logan sued in 2021 alleging fraud, exploitation of an elderly person, and a constructive trust, seeking to reverse the transfer.
The jury, after hearing evidence, found in Logan’s favor and awarded $27,600 for fraud and $30,000 in punitive damages. Heard challenged the verdict, arguing the jury had not been administered the required oath and that a juror had engaged in misconduct by searching online for Logan.
The appellate court rejected both arguments, noting that Heard had not raised the oath issue before the trial court and that the judge had removed the problematic juror and ensured the remaining jurors could decide impartially. The court found no abuse of discretion, so the verdict stands.
The ruling affirms that procedural errors in civil trials can be waived if not objected in the proper time, and it leaves the property under Logan’s control. No further appeal is pending, and the case is now closed.