DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office provided updates Wednesday, March 4, morning following an arrest in the 2010 murder of Sandra Latrail Robinson.

In a news conference Wednesday, officials said advances in forensic testing led investigators to charge 58-year-old Willie James Jr. in the case. According to jail records, James was taken into custody on Monday, March 2, and booked into the Coffee County Jail Monday night at 9:49 p.m.

The GBI is listed as the arresting agency. He is currently being held at the Coffee County Jail. James was charged with the following, the GBI said:

• Murder
• Malice Murder
• Aggravated Assault

Investigators say Robinson, 32, was working at the Prepaid Superstore located at 706 South Madison Avenue in Douglas when she was stabbed to death on March 17, 2010. Authorities said they believe the murder happened between approximately 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. during open business hours.

Officials said James was both an associate of Robinson and a frequent visitor to the store, often seen there before the murder.

Robinson worked at the cellular phone store near PCC Probation, Walgreens, Flash Foods and Rountree Park in Douglas. She was the mother of four.

Robinson’s son, Trey Robinson, spoke about the memories he still holds onto from his mother.

“My mom was a comedian,” Trey Robinson said. “She liked to have a good time. So when I think about my mom, it’s always the smallest things that, you know, they get me a little emotional. But now, all we have left is memories. So we’re going to dwell on those memories and the good times that we had. So feeling good.”

Nearly 16 years later

March 17, 2026, will mark 16 years since Robinson’s death.

Many people have questioned how an arrest could come after all this time. According to research from HudsonAlpha, advances in DNA technology have transformed how investigators solve crimes, allowing forensic scientists to analyze even the smallest pieces of evidence.

During the press conference, GBI Special Agent Jessica Hamilton said while she could not share specific details, forensic evidence ultimately tied James to the scene.

For Sandra Robinson’s son, the arrest marks another step in the family’s healing process. Trey Robinson was just 17 years old when his mother was killed, leaving him and his siblings to grow up without her.

“This is another process of healing, another phase. So we can start moving forward again with our healing process,” he said. “The work doesn’t stop here. I know that there’s still work to do, but at least we’re to this point. So it’s amazing.”

Trey Robinson said his family believes justice for their mother is finally within reach.

“I feel without a shadow of a doubt we’re going to get justice for my mom. He’s going to have to suffer the consequences of his actions. So I’m going in feeling good. I didn’t know him personally, I haven’t seen him in forever, but I know it’s going to turn out good.”

For years, Robinson’s case remained listed on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s unsolved homicide page, with a $1,000 reward offered for information leading to an arrest.

The GBI and WALB collaborated on a video podcast episode featuring Sandra Robinson’s case in Jan. 2025. You can stream Pain into Purpose: The Effects of the Sandra Robinson Case now on WALB’s news app, Fire TV, Apple TV, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

WALB News 10 will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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