sentences:  The defendants did file a motion in Cobb county for new trial arguing the "ineffective assistance of counsel" of their defense lawyer, but that was denied on Oct 8, 2009
  
  An appeal was then brought to the Supreme Court of Georgia.This appeal was denied on Nov 8, 2010 when the Supreme Court of Georgia on a 5-2 vote upheld the murder convictions and life prison sentences given to both Joseph and Sonya Smith.The dissenting opinions cited improper conduct of the trial judge for allowing unfair and potentially prejudicial "theatrics" by the prosecution to gain an outcome based on passion rather than on the facts of the case.