Jackson County Man Pleads Not Guilty to Double Homicide

David Hall, Reporter

david@southerntorch.com

A Pisgah man who was charged with double homicide in April has not just been indicted. He has now also pleaded not guilty and waived his arraignment.

Matthew Edward Garren, age 33, was arrested on April 30, 2022.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at the scene of a double homicide that took place at a home on County Road 354 on Saturday, April 30.

According to officials, initially it was reported that the shooting occurred in DeKalb County. However, it was later discovered to have happened in Jackson County.

Upon arrival to the home, deputies found Horace “Bimbo” Garren, age 68, and Christopher Horace Green, age 44, both dead from gunshot wounds in the home’s backyard.

Officials say they searched for Matthew Garren who had run “some distance away” through the woods. He was found by a search helicopter in DeKalb County.

Garren was charged with murder and two misdemeanor charges from prior traffic offenses.

According to online court records, a Jackson County Grand Jury handed down the indictment on June 15. On June 23, Garren signed a plea of not guilty.

Garren is currently in the custody of the Jackson County Jail.

A pretrial docket hearing will be held on August 8 at 9 a.m.