Hearing held as Leilani Simon, convicted of murdering her son, seeks new trial in Chatham County court

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Leilani Simon appeared virtually in court Friday to appeal her conviction for murdering her toddler son Quinton and throwing him in a dumpster.

Simon filed a motion for a new trial in September.

Simon’s appellate attorney argued she should be acquitted of murder charges and granted a new trial on other counts. Attorney David Lock presented the arguments to Judge Tammy Stokes, who presided over the original trial.

Defense argues lack of physical evidence

Simon was convicted on 19 counts by a Chatham County jury in 2024 on charges including murder, making false statements, and concealing the death of another.

Judge Stokes sentenced Simon to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Lock said Simon should be acquitted of the murder charges because there was a lack of physical evidence in the case and murder wasn’t proven.

Quinton’s remains were found in a Chatham County landfill after an extensive search by the Chatham County Police Department and FBI. His remains were so damaged when they were found, experts testified in the trial it was impossible to tell how he died.

“An autopsy could not be done because all that was found or was submitted to the medical examiner was bones of the child,” Lock said. “Obviously, suicide is not at play, but accident or natural death, we don’t believe, was excluded.”

State to respond in writing

During Simon’s trial in 2024, prosecutor Tim Dean addressed the lack of physical evidence with the jury, telling them that if Leilani was not convicted because of it, it was “bringing her plan to completion.”

The state opted to respond to Lock’s arguments in writing rather than in court. They have 45 days to respond. A ruling will be made after that.

Simon is currently incarcerated at Pulaski State Prison.

You can view previous testimony below:

You can view a timeline of the case below: