Leilani Simon murder case

Developing StoryLast updated MAY 21
SUMMARY

Leilani Simon, convicted of murdering her toddler son Quinton Simon, was sentenced to life in prison on November 21, 2024, after being found guilty on 19 charges, including malice murder, in Chatham County. As of May 21, 2026, Simon has been transferred to Arrendale State Prison to serve her sentence, and her defense team has filed an appeal. Her legal team is also arguing for a new trial, citing insufficient evidence due to damaged remains and alleged constitutional violations during her 2024 proceedings, with a hearing on these claims held on January 9, 2026. Partial human remains, confirmed by DNA tests to be Quinton Simon, were discovered in a Chatham County landfill on November 18, 2022, leading to Simon's arrest on November 21, 2022.

Timeline

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Timeline of developments

May 2026 1 developments

March 2026 1 developments

  1. Leilani Simon's legal team is arguing for a new trial, citing insufficient evidence and constitutional violations during her 2024 proceedings.

    Leilani Simon's legal team is arguing for a new trial, citing insufficient evidence and constitutional violations during her 2024 proceedings. A hearing on January 9, 2026, focused on the defense's claims that the state failed to prove homicide due to damaged remains and that text messages unfairly prejudiced the jury.

January 2026 1 developments

  1. Leilani Simon, who was convicted of murdering her toddler son Quinton Simon and sentenced to life in prison, has filed a motion seeking a new trial.

    Leilani Simon, who was convicted of murdering her toddler son Quinton Simon and sentenced to life in prison, has filed a motion seeking a new trial. Her attorneys are arguing that the state failed to prove Quinton's death was a homicide.

November 2024 1 developments

  1. Leilani Simon has been sentenced to life in prison after a jury found her guilty of murdering her toddler son.

    Leilani Simon has been sentenced to life in prison after a jury found her guilty of murdering her toddler son. She will be eligible for parole after serving at least 40 years. Simon was convicted on 19 charges, including murder and concealing a death.

October 2024 2 developments

  1. Leilani Simon was found guilty on all 19 charges, including malice murder, on October 25, 2024, after approximately two hours of jury deliberation.

    Leilani Simon was found guilty on all 19 charges, including malice murder, on October 25, 2024, after approximately two hours of jury deliberation. This corrects the previously reported verdict date of November 20, 2024.

April 2024 1 developments

November 2022 2 developments

  1. DNA tests confirmed the remains belonged to Quinton Simon, and Leilani Simon was arrested and charge…

    DNA tests confirmed the remains belonged to Quinton Simon, and Leilani Simon was arrested and charged with malice murder, concealing a death, false reporting, and making false statements.

October 2022 2 developments