Athens Man Claims State Allow Doesn't Allow Technique That Led to Discovery of Marijuana ATLANTA - A lawyer for an Athens man accused of manufacturing illegal drugs told the Georgia Supreme Court on Monday that state law doesn't allow police to get a search warrant to gather thermal imaging to discover marijuana growing in a garage. However, a prosecutor, a judge and the Court of Appeals say the 2009 search warrant the Northeast Drug Task Force used was proper. The case may be the first of its kind in any state's court to confront the issue. [continues 343 words]
ATLANTA - A lawyer for an Athens man accused of manufacturing illegal drugs told the Georgia Supreme Court on Monday that state law doesn't allow police to get a search warrant to gather thermal imaging, as was used to discover the marijuana growing in his garage. However, a prosecutor, a judge and the Court of Appeals say the 2009 search warrant used by the Northeast Drug Task Force was proper. The task force used a thermal imaging device to detect a "hot spot" in the garage of James Brundige's home on Club Drive, then presented that to a judge as evidence that the hot spots probably were caused by high-intensity lights used to grow pot plants indoors. [continues 396 words]
ATLANTA - Representatives of social-service agencies and advocacy groups took turns Wednesday telling a House subcommittee why they oppose legislation that would require welfare applicants to be tested for illegal drugs. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jason Spencer, R-Woodbine, said he was open to some of their recommendations but refused to withdraw it. He said his experience as a physician's assistant where he often treats welfare patients who use drugs convinced him it was necessary to safeguard taxpayers and steer the users toward treatment. [continues 381 words]
The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission has informed Glynn County Superior Court Judge Amanda Williams it would proceed with action that could result in her removal from the bench. She is charged with 12 violations of judicial canons including jailing defendants without proper hearings, choosing the judges for cases involving her family members who are lawyers, and having bailiffs handcuff a student who cried in her court, who Williams had admonished for laughing. Williams and her lawyer, Wallace E. Harrell, could not be reached Wednesday night. [continues 564 words]
ATLANTA -- A driver who tested positive for cocaine during a head-on collision will get a new trial after the Georgia Supreme Court threw out his conviction Monday because the law is flawed. Carey Don Cooper had cocaine in his bloodstream on Aug. 11, 2000, when he swerved into the path of another car on the Atlanta Highway in Barrow County. Since the other driver suffered a broken arm, a trooper gave Cooper the choice between a routine blood test for drugs or loss of his license - even though neither driver appeared to be intoxicated. [continues 411 words]
ATLANTA - Little of the money state police officers seize from drug traffickers winds up helping them fight crime as a 1974 law intended, according to a government report that has lawmakers wondering whether changes are needed. Instead, state law enforcement agencies let local police claim the money in hopes they will donate a share to the state. Often, local departments donate cars, computers or money for equipment, but some state police officers told investigators they don't always get their share. [continues 364 words]
ATLANTA -- Little of the money state police officers seize from drug traffickers winds up helping them fight crime as a 1974 law intended, according to government report that has lawmakers wondering whether changes are needed. Instead, state law-enforcement agencies opt to let local police claim the money in hopes they'll donate a share to the state. Often, local departments do donate cars for undercover use, computers or money for equipment, but some state cops told investigators they don't feel they always get their share. [continues 533 words]
