Reality television personality Sidney “Starr” Favors has waived her formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty in a Fulton County case involving allegations of sexual conduct with a 13-year-old child, according to newly filed court documents obtained by The Docket Diva.
The arraignment had been scheduled for Sept. 3. A waiver filed with the Fulton County Superior Court identifies Favors as the defendant in case 26SC005141 and states that she is pleading not guilty to the charges in the indictment. The document is signed by defense attorney Anthony Lake and is marked as filed by the court clerk on Aug. 31.
What the indictment alleges
The indictment was filed Aug. 25, according to The Docket Diva. It charges Favors with:
- Aggravated child molestation
- Enticing a child for indecent purposes
- Sexual battery against a child under 16
Sodomy was among the charges reported after Favors’ Aug. 2 arrest, but The Docket Diva reports that the charge was not presented to the grand jury and is not included in the indictment. FOX 5 Atlanta, WSB-TV and CBS Atlanta previously reported the initial charges, the hotel arrest and the later bond proceedings.
Defense seeks evidence involving the alleged victim
A separate defense filing obtained by The Docket Diva asks prosecutors to disclose any exculpatory or impeaching material in their possession. The request specifically references possible character evidence, alleged prior misconduct and information concerning the alleged victim’s past or present sexual behavior.
In plain terms, the defense is asking for material it believes could be used to challenge the alleged victim’s credibility or support Favors’ defense. The filing is a request for disclosure; it is not a finding by the court that any such evidence exists or would be admissible at trial.
Prosecutors previously asked the judge to prevent the defense from introducing evidence concerning the alleged victim’s character or sexual history. Georgia’s rape-shield statute, O.C.G.A. § 24-4-412, generally bars evidence of a complaining witness’s past sexual behavior in prosecutions involving offenses including aggravated child molestation and sexual battery. The law contains limited exceptions, and a judge must decide whether proposed evidence meets those requirements. The judge had not ruled on the State’s motion as of the latest documents reviewed.
Arrest and bond history
Hapeville police arrested Favors on Aug. 2 after responding to the Embassy Suites on International Boulevard following a report of an alleged sexual assault involving a juvenile. Arrest warrants cited by Atlanta News First state that Favors allegedly admitted to sexual conduct when officers questioned her.
A Fulton County judge denied Favors bond on Aug. 25. She remains in the Fulton County Jail without bond, and The Docket Diva reports that her next hearing is scheduled for October.
All charges are allegations. Favors has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.