INTEGRITY NEWS - Fulton County Government
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Spring 2021 Issue 1
INTEGRITY NEWS
FULTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
A message from ”MADAM DA”
When I asked the citizens of Fulton County to
support a new vision for their District Attorney’s
office, I promised them that I would restore
integrity to the office, hire staff who they could
count on to bring expertise, commitment,
and new energy to our efforts to make Fulton
County safer, and develop innovative programs
that will offer opportunities for those who are at
risk of becoming caught up in the criminal justice system while
concentrating our prosecution efforts on the violent offenders who
represent true danger for our communities.
As we complete our first 100 days of the new administration, I am First woman District Attorney of
proud to report to our constituents that we have a new team of Fulton County. Serving the largest
dedicated public servants working every day to keep them safe.
Our new team of prosecutors, investigators, and support staff – a judicial circuit in Georgia.
combination of veterans who we have kept on and re-energized,
experienced staff who had left Fulton for other positions and
have chosen to return to serving our county, and newcomers –
are working to make this office the top local prosecutor’s office in
the Southeast and one of the best in the nation. We conducted
interviews in excess of 500 people to bring the best and brightest
to Fulton County. The people of Fulton County deserve no less. Inside
As you can see from our report, we are taking strong action to
solve the case backlog we inherited, both from the challenges of PG.1 Madam DA
the COVID pandemic and years of mismanagement of the office’s
caseload. We have restructured the office to create specialized units PG.2 Guiding Principles
that have dedicated expertise to protecting children and victims of
sexual violence. We have won grant funding to significantly expand PG.3 100 Accomplishments
our unit prosecuting cases resulting from processing backlogged
sexual assault kits. We have created the first specialized unit to
evaluate cases with juvenile defendants potentially facing charges PG.8 In The Community
as adults. We have also created our county’s first pre-indictment
diversion program in cooperation with our Superior Court judges. PG.9 Around the Off ice
And we are just getting started.
PG.10 Employee Highlights
My team and I are proud of the work we have done on behalf of
our county in these first 100 days. We look forward to working with
you in the coming months and years to do even more and help
make Fulton County as safe for everyone as we can.
1
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The future of the District Attorney's office
and the commitment to the citizens of Fulton County.
INTEGRITY
This office will now show a consistent and
uncompromising adherence to strong moral
and ethical principles and values.
The Fulton County
District Attorney’s Office
INNOVATION
This office will bring about new ideas,
Leadership processes, and services with the aim of
improving efficiency and effectiveness.
Fani T. Willis,
District Attorney
INCLUSIVENESS
This office will provide an environment of
mutual respect, regardless of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation,
age, disability or gender identity.
2 IntegrityNews Issue 1. Spring 2021
100 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Major Crimes Division 8 Collaborated with the Atlanta Police
Department and the Fulton County
Cold & Capital Case Unit Sheriff to facilitate a discussion on agency
partnerships in combating gang crime and
1 Created the Cold and Capital Case Unit.
emerging trends in violent criminal street
Partnered with Sheryl McCollum (Crime gangs including juvenile membership
2 surges.
Analyst) from the Hapeville Police
Department and the Director of the Cold
Case Investigative Institute. The institute Civil Forfeiture Unit
will provide our office access to hundreds 9 Created a Civil Forfeiture Unit.
of experts that focus on solving Cold Cases.
Obtained judgments resulting in
10 $445,653.00 to benefit the law
Collaborated with the US Marshals Fugitive
3 enforcement community.
Task Force that serves our jurisdiction to
capture defendants wanted on old murders
to bring these victims’ families closure. 11 Returned 2 vehicles that we determined
were not lawfully seized.
Major Case Unit 12
Conducted training for Assistant District Returned $12,062.00 that we determined
4 were not lawfully seized.
Attorneys and Investigators on proper
procedures and protocols when reporting
to homicides scenes. 13 Reviewed over 600 cases to determine if
Civil Forfeiture was appropriate.
Gang Unit
Partnered with Georgia Gang Investigators White Collar Crime Unit
5 Joined two state and federal task
Association and obtained training and 14
gang certification for 10% of the Fulton forces aimed at better investigation
County District Attorney’s Office. and prosecution of certain crimes: GA
Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force
6 Established a Gang Liaison to provide and GA Cyber Fraud Task Force.
trial assistance and gang training to the
Assistant District Attorneys assigned to Developed the first session in a series of
15
Juvenile Court to combat the emerging training for law enforcement partners on
gang crisis within Fulton County. White Collar Crimes: “White Collar Case
Files 100: What We Need From You”.
7 Reviewed, signed, and facilitated the
completion of more than 50 pen orders White Collar Crime Unit members attended
16
for the Fugitive Unit and US Marshals Task 8 different training sessions to master their
Force to assist in the apprehension of our expertise.
county’s most dangerous fugitives.
3
Appeals Unit Special Victims Brenda Baham
Motion New Trial: Appeals Division Domestic Violence Unit
17
has handled 105 motions Created the Brenda
30
for new trials (briefs and Crimes Against Baham Domestic
hearings submitted). Children Unit Violence Unit which
We have won 16 and Created a Crimes Against specializes in handling
have not lost any. We are 22 intimate partner violence
Children Unit to specialize
awaiting decisions on the in crimes against our cases.
remaining cases already most precious population
presented. (Children). Members of the newly
31
formed unit attended a
Direct Appeals to the Crimes Against Children family violence training
18 23
Court of Appeals: Appeals Unit partnered with presented by the
has handled 13 court of Georgia Center for Prosecuting Attorney’s
appeals matters (briefs Child Advocacy. Council of Georgia to
and/or oral argument develop their expertise.
submitted). We have Crimes Against Children
won 7 cases and have 24 Members of the newly
Unit (attorneys, 32
not lost any. We are investigators, and victim formed unit attended
awaiting decisions on the advocates) completed a strangulation training
remaining cases already the Georgia Prosecutor presented by the
presented. Institute for Child Abuse Prosecuting Attorney’s
Prosecutors training. Council of Georgia.
Grand Total of Appeals
19 Handled: Total 150 Members of the newly
Crimes Against Children 33
appellate matters 25 formed unit attended a
Unit partnered with the
handled Jan-March Department of Family and domestic violence 101/
(excluding Pro Se matters Children Services. strangulation training.
and Habeas). Zero cases
convictions reversed. Signed a Memorandum
26 Crimes Against Children 34
of Understanding with
Unit completed training
Direct Appeals to the with the Office of the Spelman College and
20
Georgia Supreme Court: Fulton County Medical Georgia State University
Appeals has handled 17 Examiner on fatality to serve as a partner
appeals in the Georgia prosecutions to develop to combat domestic
Supreme Court (briefs expertise in fatalities of violence.
and/or oral argument children.
submitted). We have Signed a Memorandum
won 11 cases and have 35 of Understanding
Convened two Child
lost none. We are 27 with the Atlanta Police
Fatality Reviews.
awaiting decisions on the Department to form a
remaining cases already stronger partnership
presented. Sexual Assault Unit and serve as a resource
Created a Sex Assault to assist with the
Out of Time Appeals/ 28 investigation and
21 Unit within SVD which is
Others: Appeals has dedicated solely to adult prosecution of cases.
handled 15 out-of-time victims of sexual assault.
appeal hearings and Singed a Memorandum
36
briefs. We have had 2 of Understanding with
granted (this means the 29 Participated in Atlanta APD and the Fulton
City Councilman Michael
court is allowing them to Julian Bond’s town hall County Sherriff’s
have a motion for a new meeting regarding Department to create
trial hearing but not that domestic violence during a unified front against
a new trial will necessarily the pandemic. domestic violence.
be given). We have won
2 and are awaiting the Domestic Violence Unit
37
decision on the remaining participated in a Fulton
cases already presented. County Domestic Violence
Task Force meeting.
4 IntegrityNews Issue 1. Spring 2021
Juvenile Unit All members of the Child Exploitation Unit
41
Implemented file tracker, SB440 Unit successfully Created a Child
38 49
which allows our office became gang certified Exploitation Unit to
to track and monitor the to assist in the evaluation combat children being
progress of every child of issues that plague abused and exploited
that is charged with children charged in crime. online.
a delinquent act and
pair them with the best Identified all cases Sexual Assault Kit Initiative
42
rehabilitation services. appropriate for SB440 (S.A.K.I) Unit
evaluation to determine Partnered with GA
50
Added 2 attorneys, if diverting them from S.A.K.I Task Force to
39
1 investigator, and a adult prosecution is better serve the needs
juvenile court programs appropriate. of all of Metro Atlanta to
manager to ensure these ensure a sexual assault
children are provided the Hired and collaborated kit backlog will never
43
best services. with our Social Services occur again.
Coordinator to create a
SB440 Unit bio-psych-social form Met Bi-Weekly with the
51
Created a SB440 Unit that can be quantified to GA S.A.K.I Task Force for
40
within our Special properly assess the needs case review.
Victims Division to of juveniles charged with
address the issue of violent crimes. Established the Fulton
juveniles being charged 52 County Multidisciplinary
with violent crimes. Collaborated with Team with law
44 our Social Services enforcement, medical,
In 1994, Georgia enacted Coordinator to assess state crime lab, and
State Bill 440 (more the tools needed for victim services partners
commonly referred to juveniles to be properly to develop policies and
as SB-440) to “provide rehabilitated. procedures county-wide
that certain juvenile to ensure that a sexual
offenders who commit Human Trafficking Unit assault kit backlog will
certain violent felonies The Human Trafficking not occur again.
45
shall be tried as adults Unit added a dedicated
in the superior court. Victim Witness Advocate Developed a new victim
This SB-440 law granted to assist this special 53 identification form for all
adult courts exclusive group of victims. suspect interviews going
jurisdiction over criminal forward.
cases involving juveniles Partnered with the GA
46
(ages 13-17) who are Coalition to Combat Indicted 2 serial rapists
charged with one or Human Trafficking. 54 due to DNA recognition
more of the following from women victimized
“Seven Deadly Sins”: Partnered with the more than a decade
47
1. Murder Office of the Attorney prior.
2. Armed Robbery with General’s Human
Firearm Trafficking Unit to Developed and
55
3. Rape assemble prosecutors implemented new SWOT
4. Voluntary across the Metro Atlanta (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Manslaughter area in responding to an Opportunities, and
5. Aggravated Sexual upcoming undercover Threats) analysis for all
Battery operation for missing S.A.K.I cases.
6. Aggravated Sodomy children with the US
7. Aggravated Child Marshals Task Force. 56 Traveled over 700
Molestation miles combined while
Provided training courses conducting suspect,
48
from outside agencies victim, and witness
regarding the handling of interviews.
trafficking victims.
5
Elder Abuse 67 Indicted 321 cases. Records Unit
Created an Elder Abuse Our Records Unit closed
57 Unit to serve senior victims 77
Non-Complex Unit approximately 31,200
who are susceptible to The Non-Complex Unit has cases and sent to archives.
68
predators. received commendation
from judges related to
78 Our Records Unit increased
Animal Cruelty Unit the ability to handle efficiency of the Grand Jury
Established an Animal motion hearings and meet work up process by 90%.
58 Cruelty Unit to address Discovery deadlines.
criminal abuse of Developed a public
79
mammals. 69 Reviewed and determined brochure regarding
appropriate prosecution in the records restriction
Partnered with PAWS over 4,500 cases. application process.
59
Atlanta to provide canines
as emotional support for Complex Unit
children traumatized by The Complex Unit has Graphics and Trial
70
violence. closed out 16,790 files since Presentation Unit
January 4, 2021.
80 Designed materials for
Conviction Integrity Unit the swearing-in ceremony
Opened a conviction Accountability Court Unit to commemorate the
60
integrity office. For the first time in 1st Woman DA in Fulton
71
Fulton County history, County, Fani T. Willis,
Overturned 1 wrongful we established a policy to restore community
61
conviction. of accepting people into trust. The ceremony was
accountability court attended by over 1,000
Modified 3 lengthy unjust without indicting them. Fulton County residents in-
62
convictions. person and online.
10 Post-Indicted cases
72 have been accepted into
Anti – Corruption 81
Created wall murals for
Division Accountability Court. the office to boost morale
and create a positive work
3 Pre-Indicted cases environment for each
63 Attended a Use of Force 73
training with the Atlanta have been accepted into division location.
Police Department. Accountability Court.
82 Created a brand strategy
50% of the entire office
64 Reported to 2 officer- 74 and style guidelines for
involved shooting scenes has been trained on community outreach.
to ensure proper protocol identifying citizens charged
was followed. with crimes that would 83 Hosted 7 team building
more appropriately be events.
Trial Division rehabilitated by being sent
to the Accountability Court. Created a leadership
84
Case In-Take Unit Providing citizens’ access booklet to provide the
65
Created an all-new Case to Accountability Court is a citizens direct contact with
Intake Unit within the Trial top priority of Madam DA. the office and resources.
Division to develop and
improve standards for case Operations Division
preparation before cases
are presented to grand jury. Completed onboarding for
75
51 new and extraordinarily
66 qualified employees.
Started and is running 2
historic grand juries – a
first for the Fulton County Created a website to
76
District Attorney’s office. allow the community
transparent access to the
DA’s office.
6 IntegrityNews Issue 1. Spring 2021
Investigation 92
Establishment of
100
Conducted social media
collaborative relationships campaigns to bring
Division with the Juvenile Court awareness to National
Administration. Child Abuse Prevention
Discovered Investigators
85 Month and Sexual Assault
were operating without
Victims Witness Awareness Month to
protection and invested
Advocate Unit educate our community on
$50,000 in our law
Created a new Victim combating these horrific
enforcement community 93 Witness Program brochure crimes.
acquiring protective
to assist victims in
bulletproof vests for our
understanding the Court
high-risk staff to ensure
Justice System.
they are always safe.
Provided 2,219 victims
Reported to 17 homicide 94
86 with services to help them
scenes to provide
through there traumatic
assistance to local law
experience.
enforcement.
Created a brochure for
Evidence Unit 95
victims of domestic
Identified inventory
87 violence to educate them
program for the Evidence
on resources and support
Unit to ensure evidence
available to them.
is properly stored,
maintained, and secured.
Developed a 360 Program
96
Evaluation tool to provide
Collaborated with the
88 an evaluation perspective
Fulton County Sheriff’s
for program participants,
office to establish
program leaders, and the
mechanisms to retrieve
Fulton County DA’s office.
telecommunication
evidence.
Community Liaison Unit
Created a Community
Programs Division 97
Liaison Unit to build
and strengthen our
Created the Programs
89 relationship with the
Division to hold eligible
community.
offenders accountable
while providing the
Explored community-
resources, skills, and 98 based programs for the
education to reduce the
youth and community
risk of committing crimes
empowerment center.
in the future.
Conducted social media
90 Established the 99 campaigns around
CourtWatch Program to
Black History Month and
educate, empower, and
Women’s History Month
include the community in
to engage and educate
the Court Justice System.
the community on
dynamic leaders from our
Created a steering
91 committee to steer the community.
direction of juvenile
diversion in Fulton County.
7
DA Fani T. Willis attended the swearing-in of Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputies at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Metro Law Enforcement
Agencies Breakfast
DA Fani T. Willis attended an event at the
Georgia Governor’s Mansion for top Metro
Atlanta law enforcement officials to discuss
initiatives for safer communities.
South Fulton ‘Feeding Our City’
21
Easter Giveaway 04 30
Fulton County DA Fani T. Willis and her office
spent their Good Friday giving back to the
community they serve.
Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
DA Fani T. Willis toured the Georgia Center for
Child Advocacy. Protecting children is a top
priority for the District Attorney’s Office.
8 IntegrityNews Issue 1. Spring 2021
Madam DA and Deputy Aimee Maxwell at the new Conviction Integrity Unit Office.
AROUND THE OFFICE
A New Day and A New Look
Renovations underway!
Upgrades that create a more
positive work environment.
St. Patrick’s Day at the Office
Each unit participated in a door
decoration contest to build morale
and team bonding.
PAWS Atlanta Visit
04 30 from Atlanta Police Department’s PAWS
unit (Police Animals Wellness Support).
She hopes to build a strong relationship
with these pups and bring them to assist
victims when they come to court.
9
EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHTS
Leadership Meeting Award Winners
Lamar Rhodes Tashekka Fleming Johnna Griffin George Jenkins
Will Wooten Tia Green Krystal Lunsford, Jeremy Murray, Jazmin Dilligard,
Deonté Pollard, Ebony Davis
Employee of the Month
FEBRUARY MARCH
Vanessa Condry Jinnique Roberts
Administrative Assistant Legal Assistant, Non-Complex
10 IntegrityNews Issue 1. Spring 2021Special Recognition
Chief Investigator, Capers Green
Congratulations to Chief Green, he has successfully completed the
Chief Executive Training Class through the Georgia Association of Chiefs
of Police. Chief Green also earned a perfect score on the final exam.
Deputy DA, Brian Watkins
On March 25th was a speaker at the Virtual College &
Career Day at C.H. Gullatt Elementary School.
Assistant DA, Furhawn Shah
has closed the most cases in the
Fulton County District Attorney’s office.
Deputy DA, Jill Hollander
presented on elder abuse via webinar in partnership with the Fulton -
Dekalb Hospital Authority. She also serves on 2 National Committees
(Animal Cruelty & Domestic Violence) as an Elder Abuse Representative.
Chief Senior Assistant DA, Earnell Winfrey
is providing training courses to outside agencies
on how to better serve trafficking victims.
Chief Senior DA, Stephany Luttrell
has completed 10 hours of training
in the Civil Forfeiture Unit.
Assistant DA, Grant Rood
has completed 12 hours of training
in the Civil Forfeiture Unit.
11PROSECUTOR
The prosecutor is the representative not of an ordinary party to a controversy, but of a
sovereignty whose obligation to govern impartially is as compelling as its obligation to
govern at all, and whose interest, therefore, in a criminal prosecution is not that it shall
win a case, but that justice shall be done. As such, she is in a peculiar and very definite
sense the servant of the law, the two-fold aim of which is that guilt shall not escape or
innocence suffer. She may prosecute with earnestness and vigor -- indeed, she should
do so. But, while she may strike hard blows, she is not at liberty to strike foul ones. It is
as much her duty to refrain from improper methods calculated to produce a wrongful
conviction as it is to use every legitimate means to bring about a just one.
Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78 (1935).
12 IntegrityNews Issue 1. Spring 2021You can also read
