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Deal to sign overhaul of criminal justice system

Deal to sign overhaul of criminal justice system

ATLANTA -- Gov. Nathan Deal is set to sign legislation that will bring sweeping changes to the state's criminal justice system, a priority he set earl in his administration.

Lawmakers spent months hammering out the proposal, which passed in the General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Some changes will start as early as July 1.

"With this bold new direction in criminal justice, we will bolster public safety, increase our chances of rehabilitating lives and bend the unsustainable cost curve we face in our prison system," Deal said in a statement. "We spend $1.2 billion a year on our prison system and those costs were set to soar far beyond what we can afford. That makes no sense for taxpayers when there are most cost-effective means that have better outcomes."

Teen sentenced in toe typing robbery

Teen sentenced in toe typing robbery

ATLANTA -- A teen has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for an armed robbery in which the victim used her toes to type messages for help.

A Fulton County judge Tuesday sentenced 19-year-old Dontavius Jackson in the 2010 attack. He was found guilty of armed robbery, aggravated battery and other charges.

Authorities say Jackson broke into Amy Windom's home, beat her and forced her from room to room as he stole electronics, money and her ATM card. Authorities say he tied her to her bed, stole her car and fled.

Man sentenced to life for shooting college student

Man sentenced to life for shooting college student

ATLANTA -- A 24-year-old Atlanta man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for robbing and shooting a University of West Georgia student.

Tremaine Leigh was convicted Thursday of aggravated assault, theft and firearm possession in the March 31, 2011 shooting of then-20-year-old Brandon Griffith.

Court records showed that Griffith was shopping for snacks at the Texaco Food Mart on Northside Drive near Atlanta University Center when Leigh, who was armed with a gun, approached him and demanded money.

When Griffith didn't give up his money quickly enough, authorities said Leigh shot him in the chest, took his wallet and cell phone, and drove away in his car.

Leigh was captured two months later and will now spend life plus 35 years in prison.

Griffith survived the attack and is currently completing his senior year of college.

APD request help identifying armed robbery suspect

APD request help identifying armed robbery suspect

 

ATLANTA – Police need your help in identifying a man wanted for the armed robbery of a convenience store at 647 Dill Avenue in Atlanta. According to police, the man approached the store clerk brandishing a handgun; he then aimed the gun at the clerks head and demanded cash. During the robbery, witnesses say the gun was discharged, however, the clerk escaped unharmed. 

The suspect got away with $200 in cash and an unknown amount of Georgia Lottery Tickets. Witnesses say the suspect fled toward Metropolitan Parkway on foot.

During the robbery, the suspect was dressed in a dark colored “Timberland” hoodie and he wore a black skull cap. The suspect, also, wore gloves during the robbery so detectives were unable to retrieve prints from the scene.

If you have any information about this robbery, call Crime Stoppers at 404-557-TIPS (8477). 

Fulton County Police Partners with Federal DEA to kick off Prescription Drug Take Back

The Fulton County Police Department has partnered with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and other government, community, public health and law enforcement partners to announce a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative.  The initiative seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft.

Last September, Americans turned in 242,000 pounds - 121 tons - of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners, including the Fulton County Police Department.

The Fulton County Police Department will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused,

and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction on Saturday, October 29, 2011  from

10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CASCADE: Parents charged in malnourished infant's death

CASCADE: Parents charged in malnourished infant's death

ATLANTA -- Two Southwest Atlanta residents were arrested Thursday in the death of their five-month-old child.

Tina Hanna, 25, and Lefty Hodge, 42, have been charged with murder and cruelty to children. They are being held in the Fulton County Jail.

The couple's infant was found unresponsive by Grady EMS in an apartment on M. L. King Jr. Drive on Sept. 3, according to Atlanta Police spokeswoman Kim Jones.

The child was later pronounced dead at Hughes Spalding Hospital. Police have not said whether the baby was a boy or a girl.

After the infant's death, DFACS took custody of two other small children living in the same apartment, Jones said. Hanna was also arrested that day on an outstanding warrant from Conyers Police; she was later released.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner has determined the child died from dehydration and severe malnutrition.

Reward Increases in Animal Cruelty Case

Norred & Associates, an Atlanta-based security firm, will contribute $5,000 to a reward fund for information leading to the arrest of the individual(s) who shot a mixed breed pit bull in the head with an arrow with a metal tip. The dog was found wandering the streets in Southwest Atlanta Tuesday evening, Sept. 13. The dog, aptly named "Arrow," is expected to recover from its injuries.

To anonymously submit information related to the dog's injury, call the Help Stop Dog Fighting hotline at 877.215.2250 or submit information at www.helpstopdogfighting.com.

"We need to apprehend this person before another animal or person is injured," said CEO Greg Norred, of Norred & Associates.

The tip line was established as part of the company's overall pro-bono campaign to stop dog fighting.