Part 12 in a serialization of interviews published on the 26th anniversary of the brutal murder of Donna Johnson:
Members of murder victim Donna Johnson’s family, working through a prominent local minister, attempted to have a special prosecutor appointed to the case in 2006.
Murder victim Donna Johnson.
Johnson case: Family sought special prosecutor
Becky Peterman, aided by Dr. Benny Tate of Rock Springs Church, sought help from Georgia attorney general Thurbert Baker after a rejuvenated investigation yielded new entomological evidence that prosecutors and GBI agents refused to take to a grand jury.
Baker refused to intervene in the case.
In a letter to Peterman dated August 14, 2006, then deputy attorney general Michael E. Hobbs wrote, “Unfortunately, this office lacks jurisdiction or authority to prose cute the case or to appoint another prosecuting attorney to do so. As the elected district attorney for the Towaliga Circuit, Mr. (Richard) Milam has been elected to make the sometimes difficult decisions concerning the prosecution of criminal matters. In the absence of a recusal or disqualification of the district attorney, it is not within the purview of this office to intervene with respect to those decisions.”
For much more on this story, see the print/e-edition of The Herald-Gazette.
Baker refused to intervene in the case.
In a letter to Peterman dated August 14, 2006, then deputy attorney general Michael E. Hobbs wrote, “Unfortunately, this office lacks jurisdiction or authority to prose cute the case or to appoint another prosecuting attorney to do so. As the elected district attorney for the Towaliga Circuit, Mr. (Richard) Milam has been elected to make the sometimes difficult decisions concerning the prosecution of criminal matters. In the absence of a recusal or disqualification of the district attorney, it is not within the purview of this office to intervene with respect to those decisions.”
For much more on this story, see the print/e-edition of The Herald-Gazette.
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#1
Sheila Tolley
on
08/07/10 at 10:15 AM
Maybe Richard Milam will run against obama in 2012. Milam can go to The White House and make stupid decisions. No change there. And B'ville can elect a new DA and see what HER views may be on the value of the evidence of Donna's murder.
#2
Anonymous
on
08/07/10 at 09:02 PM
wow, they are hiding stuff high on up the chain, huh?
#3
Sheila Tolley
on
08/08/10 at 12:06 PM
Take it to the Grand Jury, Milam. If it stops there due to insufficient evidence we will all take up enough money to buy you an ad on the front page of the paper that says, "I told you so."
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