A Georgia woman on trial for murdering her 1-year-olddaughter became emotional in court Monday as her mother testified.
Chloe Alexis Driver, 24, wiped tears from her face and appeared visibly shaken as her mother, Renee Driver, spoke about their family. Renee’s testimony included memories of Hannah Nicole Driver, who died in 2020 after Driver allegedly stabbed her several times.
Prior to Renee’s testimony, Chief Assistant District Attorney Katie Gropper opened the trial last week by describing Driver’s involvement in a “polygamist group.” Gropper stated that Driver was married to Benyamin Ben Michael, who also used the names Brian Joyce and “Z.”
Grouper said Michael had at least two other wives and shared a daughter, Hannah, with Driver. Prosecutors argued that Driver killed the baby to eliminate competition for Ben Michael’s attention.
Renee told the court she and her family tried over and over to convince Driver to leave Michael. She stated that she repeatedly told Driver to move back home to Tennessee.
“Nothing really changed with Hannah — just her,” Renee said of Driver. “She was just falling apart. I mean, she was literally just falling apart, but at that time, I wasn’t so much paying attention to her because, I mean, I had Hannah, too, and I was just so excited every time I got to see Hannah.”
Renee grew emotional as she testified, acknowledging guilt and wishing she had done more to help her daughter. She told the jury her intention was not to influence their decision but to provide any help she could.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the incident occurred on December 8, 2020, at a home in the Mountain View subdivision along Mountain Vista Blvd. in Canton. Police found the child and Driver in an upstairs bedroom.
The prosecution said Driver grabbed a knife from the kitchen, then secluded herself in a bedroom, locked the door and stabbed Chloe in the neck four times and once in the back. Drive then turned the kniife on herself.
While in the hospital following the stabbing, Driver reportedly confessed to the killing by writing a note to a detective.
She faces charges of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, and cruelty to children. Court documents show the mother pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Hamm Driver/Cherokee County DA]
