The GBI has arrested and charged Willie James Jr., age 58, of Wayne County, Ga., with malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault in connection to the death of Sandra Robinson that occurred almost 16 years ago.
On March 17, 2010, the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas was requested by the Douglas Police Department to assist with a death investigation at the Prepaid Superstore on South Madison Avenue in Douglas. Sandra Robinson, age 32 at the time, was working at the phone store when she was stabbed and killed. James was an associate of Robinson and could often be found at the store. As a result of continued testing, James was able to be linked to the crime through forensic evidence.
Over the years, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Douglas Police Department diligently followed every lead and remained unwavering in their commitment to finding the truth surrounding the death of Robinson. This arrest represents the culmination of those continued efforts. This successful investigation is an example of the importance of cooperation and collaboration between different GBI units, local law enforcement agencies, forensic scientists, and prosecutors.
On March 2, 2026, James, who was living in Valdosta at the time, was taken into custody and booked into the Coffee County Jail.
“The resolution of this case should serve as a powerful reminder to families still waiting for answers in cold cases, that time does not diminish investigators’ commitments even in some of the most difficult and long-lasting cases. Investigators continue to review evidence, continue to follow leads, and use advancing technology to pursue answers. While no outcome can erase years of unanswered questions and loss, each solved case should renew hope that persistence matters and justice remains possible,” said Jessica Hamilton, Special Agent in Charge of the Douglas GBI office, at Wednesday’s press conference announcing the arrest.
“In 2024, Sandra’s family applied for the Coleman-Baker Act and our office, the cold case unit, became involved with our Region 4 office in Douglas. We call this the Cold Case Unit but these cases are never really cold. Sometimes they take five years, 10 years, 16 years in this case. But investigators locally, at the GBI’s office, and the Cold Case Unit, we’re always looking at these and trying to come to a resolution,” said Brian Whidby, Special Agent in Charge of the GBI’s Cold Case Unit.
Trey Robinson, Sandra’s son, also spoke at the press conference. Trey was 17 when his mother was killed. “My mom liked to have a good time. So when I think about my mom, it’s always the smallest things. They get me a little emotional, but now all we have left is memories. So we’re going to remember those memories and the good times that we had. So I’m feeling good. When it comes to the trial, I feel without a shadow of a doubt we’re going to get justice for my mom and he’s going suffer the consequences of his actions. So I’m going to go in feeling good. I didn’t know him personally, I haven’t seen him in forever, but I know that it’s going turn out good,” he said.
The GBI would also like to thank the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, Waycross Police Department, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and Valdosta Police Department for their assistance during the investigation and in locating and arresting James.
This investigation is still active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
