Joshua Keegan Clay Tuesday pleaded guilty in Superior Court of Carroll County to the offenses of concealing the death of another and tampering with evidence.  After thorough consultations with the family of the victim, Marcelle Elliott, the District Attorney’s office recommended a sentence of 7 years in prison followed by 13 years of probation.  As a condition of his sentence, he is banished from the Coweta and Cobb Jjudicial Circuits and is to have no contact with the family of the victim.
 
The defendant’s plea arises from his having helped Farah Strength conceal the body of the victim murdered by Ms. Strength in July 2010.  Ms. Strength, a former friend of Marcelle Elliott, lured the University of West Georgia student from her home in Cobb County on the pretext of giving her a book.  Once the victim arrived, Strength brought her to Strength’s house where she attacked and strangled Ms. Elliott.  Enlisting the assistance of Mr. Clay, the body was stripped naked, loaded into a car, and placed in a swamp off Laurel Road in Carroll County.  Farah Strength confessed to her crime and later pleaded guilty to malice murder and false imprisonment.  She is currently serving a sentence of life plus 10 years in prison.  During her confession and guilty plea, Ms. Strength described Joshua Clay’s involvement in concealing the remains of Ms. Elliott and disposing of other evidence. 

After being charged as a party to the murder, further investigation called into question Clay’s participation in the actual homicide, but clearly pointed to his guilt in helping conceal it afterwards.  
After complex and detailed negotiations with Joshua Clay’s attorney, Mr. Jimmy Berry, the state reached a negotiated agreement that both sides, including the family, believe to be a good resolution to the case. 
 
At the plea, David Elliott, the father of Marcelle, addressed the court with a victim impact statement describing his daughter as  “. . .  A bright student, loyal friend, and honest to a fault.” 
 
The defendant did not make a statement, but, through his attorney, conveyed his remorse to the court and the family.