A Georgia grand jury has declined to indict Hannah Cobb, a white woman who fatally shot her Black boyfriend, Telvin Osborne, earlier this year. Osborne, 32, was shot in the chest in February at Cobb’s residence in Burke County, Georgia. According to initial reports, the couple had been drinking that evening and had argued over alleged infidelity before the shooting occurred. Cobb claimed she was cleaning her firearm when it accidentally discharged.

Cobb was initially arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter but was later released on bond. After a months-long investigation, the grand jury decided not to pursue charges, citing insufficient evidence of criminal intent. This decision has sparked widespread outrage in the local community, with many expressing concerns about racial disparities in the justice system.

Adding to the controversy, Osborne had previously posted a viral message on social media stating that he would “rather sleep with a dog than a Black woman.” The post, which reflected deep-seated misogynoir and internalized racism, was widely shared online and sparked heated discussions. Some social media users have pointed out the tragic irony of Osborne’s death at the hands of the white woman he seemingly idolized. 

“In my honest opinion, I don’t care,” one social media user said in a video posted online. “Because Mr. Telvin Osborne had said a whole bunch of disgusting things about Black women. He also had tweets saying, if it ain’t snowing, he ain’t going blah, blah, blah. He even said that he would unalive for his girlfriend, who was a YT woman. He did indeed get unalived by his girlfriend, who was a YT woman. And that’s why I don’t care.”

The case highlights broader issues around systemic racism, justice inequities, and the complex legacies of anti-Black misogyny in the South. Advocates argue that the decision not to prosecute Cobb is emblematic of a legal system that too often fails to deliver accountability for Black victims of violence, especially when the alleged perpetrator is white.

According to The Root, activists are calling for further investigation and accountability measures to ensure the safety and fair treatment of Black victims. Critics also emphasize the importance of addressing internalized biases within the Black community that can manifest as misogynoir and self-hate, ultimately putting Black women and men at risk.