'Terrified for my life': St. Simons Island dentist accused of murdering boyfriend in Lake Lanier home takes the stand - Gainesville Times

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'Terrified for my life': St. Simons Island dentist accused of murdering boyfriend in Lake Lanier home takes the stand

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Bennett questions Suzanne Mericle on the stand Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Hall County Superior Court during Mericle's murder trial. Mericle is charged with the murder of her boyfriend 68-year-old James David Barron at their Lake Lanier home last year. - photo by Scott Rogers

03252026 MERICLE 4.jpg — Assistant District Attorney Rachel Bennett questions Suzanne Mericle on the stand Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Hall County Superior Court during Mericle's murder trial. Mericle is charged with the murder of her boyfriend 68-year-old James David Barron at their Lake Lanier home last year. - photo by Scott Rogers

Suzanne Mericle took the stand Tuesday and said her boyfriend had abused her sexually and physically because she refused to pay most of the mortgage on their $1.5 million Lake Lanier home.