Newspaper Page Text
Page 14C
www.thechampionnewspaper.com
The Champion Legal Section, Thursday, May 14, 2015
330-372504 5/7.5/14JH
NOTICE OF ABANDONED
MOTOR VEHICLE
++2006 Suzuki GSX750F
VIN: JS1GR7GA262101110++
License No.
Color: Black
Body Style: Motorcycle
Abandoned on April 17, 2015
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The above vehicle is presently loc
ated at 2109 Coffee Rd Suite J,
Lithonia GA 30058; phone (678) 449-
7820 in possession of Canty Motors-
ports. Attempts to locate the owner
have been unsuccessful. The vehicle
is deemed abandoned under
O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be dis
posed of if not redeemed. This no
tice is given pursuant to Georgia law.
330-372505 5/7.5/14JH
NOTICE OF ABANDONED
MOTOR VEHICLE
++2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
VIN: 4A3AK24F26E043224++
License No. PBB7851
Color: Black
Body Style: 2 Door
Abandoned on March 26, 2015
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The above vehicle is presently loc
ated at 2258 Lithonia Industrial Blvd,
Lithonia GA 30058; phone (770) 484-
4905 in possession of Service 1st
Auto Care Inc. Attempts to locate the
owner have been unsuccessful. The
vehicle is deemed abandoned under
O.C.G.A. 40-11-2 and will be dis
posed of if not redeemed. This no
tice is given pursuant to Georgia law.
330-372578 5/14WG
DEKALB COUNTY
++GRAND JURY PRESENTMENTS
MARCH-APRIL TERM, 2015++
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES:
COURTNEY L. JOHNSON
ASHA F. JACKSON
CLARENCE F. SEELIGER
GAIL C. FLAKE
GREGORY A. ADAMS
DANIEL M. COURSEY, JR.
LINDA W. HUNTER
MARK ANTHONY SCOTT
TANGELA BARRIE
Of the Superior Court of DeKalb
County, Georgia, Stone Mountain Ju
dicial Circuit
This Grand Jury, sworn in by the
Honorable Linda W. Hunter in the
DeKalb Superior Court on March 3,
2015 respectfully submits the follow
ing presentments.
INDICTMENTS
This Grand Jury was presented with
(368) cases during the March-April
2015 term. Of these cases (366) True
Bills and (2) No Bills were returned.
An additional (187) cases proceeded
by Accusation.
REQUEST FOR PUBLICATION
Pursuant to the O.C.G.A. § 15-12-80,
we the presently constituted Grand
Jury recommend to the Honorable
Linda W. Hunter that these general
presentments be published in whole
in the County Legal Organ.
The jurors of the March - April 2015
session of the Grand Jury would like
to recognize and thank the staff of
the District Attorney’s Office such as
the ADAs, Investigators, Interns and
other supporting staff that helped to
prepare and present cases, as well
as the law enforcement officers, for
their continued service and dedica
tion to the people of DeKalb County.
Orientation
The presentation that the ADA
provided was informative and the
general walk through of the judicial
process was also helpful in under
standing where our role is in the pro
cess. We feel that the ADA had
learned from past information and
suggestions from past Grand Juries
and the orientation allowed us to get
started quickly. We also appreciated
the presentations on weapons, drugs
and family violence to give us refer
ence in many of the cases we saw
over the term. However, the follow
ing are a few recommendations to im
prove the overall experience:
• We feel there still needs to be more
clarification on probable cause along
with examples of cases that may or
may not have probable cause to elim
inate some deliberations where
people were focusing more on guilt or
innocence.
• We would like for the ‘preponder
ance of guilt’ to be focused on as well
so people understand what we
should focus on in relation to prob
able cause.
• Provide additional information on
what should or should not be con
sidered in Grand Jury proceedings
i.e. mental state, self-defense, basis
of stops or searches.
• Provide more information on the
forensic interviews for their children
and the role - what they mean,
where they take place and when are
they conducted. More clarification on
the system itself.
• It would be helpful if we were
provided some level of understand
ing on the possible charges that
could result from the indictments that
we approve (e.g. length of prison
sentence, etc.).
• Provide additional information on
gangs and gang-related activity.
• Provide additional information on
the purpose and job of the foreman
and assistant foreman and the com
mitment of the role and that it is non-
transferrable. We had an instance
where both the foreman and assist
ant foreman were all out and the
Grand Jury cannot get started without
them, and no one can take their
places at any point.
• Provide additional background on
child-related incidents, including mo
lestation and child abuse charges.
General Observations
Overall this has been an interesting
experience and we all want to com
mend the work of the DA’s office and
all the witnesses and officers that
come before us. Below are some
suggestions that we want to provide:
• We encourage the DA’s office to
reach out to schools and educate the
youth and the media about the risks
of crime - such as the fact that using
your finger in your jacket to commit a
robbery is as egregious as using an
actual weapon in the crime. We also
make a suggestion that they educate
the public on what to do when an of
ficer pulls your vehicle over and that
you must stay in your vehicle.
• Based on the case we saw that con
cerned abuse of the DeKalb County
P card or Purchasing Card, we re
commend that more scrutiny be paid
to this process. The case we saw
concerned the (years long) flagrant
abuse of a P Card by an employee
who was managed by a DeKalb
County Commissioner who was
found guilty of fiscal abuse. It is im
portant that DeKalb County insure
strict internal controls are in place for
all expenditures to protect taxpayers
from corruption.
• We suggest that the ADA present
the actual reasoning for charges
brought forth in each indictment. Of
ten the charges are not apparent
based on the case as it is presented
to us. This may be because the ADA
feels the charges on the indictment
are ‘stronger’ than others we feel may
better correlate to the case as we
hear it. This can be accomplished by
providing information if the evidence
clearly points to other charges that
are not included in the indictment,
e.g. point to each count specifically
so we understand what and why.
• We suggest that the Grand Jury in
troduce themselves to each other at
the very beginning so we know
names, etc. before getting started.
• We reiterate the previous points on
the cold temperate of the room - we
feel this should be addressed to keep
us comfortable and save energy!
• We suggest that they print the prin
touts double-sided (on both sides) to
save paper and promote sustainabil-
ity.
• Provide information about potential
rehabilitation programs and mental
health screening that may happen
during the process and how defend
ants may qualify and be placed in
those services. There were jurors
who were not comfortable indicting
mentally ill defendants.
• The Grand Jury Summons letter
should be sent certified mail. We
were informed that the Sheriff's of
fice will be sent to each individual’s
residence for those who do not show
up for Grand Jury Duty. There is
nothing that prevents someone from
saying they did not receive the letter.
• We felt that the seasoned detect
ives did a better job telling the points
of the indictment so we could under
stand it. We suggest that some of the
newer officers shadow some of the
more experiences detectives so they
can see how to present a full story of
the charges in the indictment (maybe
as part of the Police Academy).
• We should be able to nominate and
swear in another Foreman if a Fore
man and Assistant Foreman are both
absent.
• We also liked it when officers and
witnesses made the job fun. Al
though this is a serious process,
people who come before us should
bring a positive energy. We had a lot
of great witnesses like Beth Suber
and Sam Washington.
• We feel that, reiterating previous
Presentments, this is still a large time
commitment for ordinary citizens to
understand the legal system but feel
that two months is an acceptable
time frame. We feel that as any more
time would be excessive and any
less would be too little to get a good
flow. However, we felt that since we
did not have full days there is lots of
time wasted in the system.
• We would like to highlight the lack
of consistency at the security desk at
the front door. We know there were
shootings at the courthouse a few
years ago and we are putting our
lives in their hands and therefore
want them to be more consistent and
pay attention to this important job.
• The past three Presentments listed
that the microphone didn’t work all
the time - this is the same this time
around. Turn the microphones off at
the end of the day and the batteries
will last and also have the ADAs en
courage witnesses to speak up.
• We also suggest that officers in
sure their respect for the public dur
ing routine stops and interactions.
• There were a number of cases
where indictments were sought for
aggression against a police officer. It
seems timely and imperative in order
to prevent officer injury to provide ex
tensive training on approaching agit
ated, unresponsive, mentally ill and
similar type suspects. We also en
courage officers be trained in meth
ods related to use of force options,
including computer-simulated train
ing like the kind we saw presented by
the Meggitt Company.
• We recommend that the next Grand
Jury hear any outstanding officer-re
lated shootings and that this become
an ongoing task for future Grand Jur
ies. We also recommend that use of
force education be given to future
Grand Juries prior to seeing these
cases. We found the training we were
given to be very helpful, including the
computer-simulated training tool
presentation.
• After listening to the officer-related
shootings we believe that officer body
cameras be standard issue.
• We suggest that officers should
have additional training on approach
ing and working with mentally ill sus
pects. We know this has already
been started and encourage this con
tinue and be extended.
• We heard the evidence of the fatal
officer-related shooting of Roderick
Lorenzo Anderson docket
#D0228454. Although we believe it is
unfortunate that this case ended in a
fatal shooting, we recommend that
the DA not pursue an indictment
against the officers involved in the
shooting.
• We heard the evidence of the fatal
officer-related shooting of Jayvis Ben-
jamin docket #D0235807. We
strongly recommend that this case
move forward for indictment.
• We heard the evidence of the fatal
officer-related shooting of Eric
Devonn Roberts docket #D0234792.
Although we believe it is unfortunate
that this case ended in a fatal shoot
ing, we recommend that the DA not
pursue an indictment against the of
ficer involved in the shooting.
• We heard the evidence of the fatal
officer-related shooting of Sage
Happ-Williams docket #D0228707.
Although we believe it is unfortunate
that this case ended in a fatal shoot
ing, we recommend that the DA not
pursue an indictment against the of
ficer involved in the shooting.
• We heard the evidence of the fatal
officer-related shooting of Elder
Josue Alfaro-Zelaya docket
#D0232439. Although we believe it is
unfortunate that this case ended in a
fatal shooting, we recommend that
the DA not pursue an indictment
against the officer involved in the
shooting.
• We heard the evidence of the fatal
officer-related shooting of Chris Lee
docket #D0234153. Although we be
lieve it is unfortunate that this case
ended in a fatal shooting, we recom
mend that the DA not pursue an in
dictment against the officer involved
in the shooting.
Jail Inspection
We visited the jail on March 12,2015.
The jail seemed very well organized,
staffed, and clean. Presentations
were on point and they answered all
questions during our visit.
We suggest a better system is invest
igated to transport us to the jail. One
of the jurors was injured and we are
concerned that we are not insured
against injury during this transport.
Also, there were no seat belts on the
jail bus.
The jail visit was very informative and
interesting however, from an audit
perspective, we did not feel this is a
role for the Grand Jury. We under
stand that the inspection has been
assigned to the Grand Jury owing to
previous issues and deplorable con
ditions at the jail. We feel thankfully
that the jail no longer suffers from
these problems. We feel that this was
not a real inspection but rather a tour
or field trip. In the context of a field
trip, though, this is a good trip for the
Grand Jury to take to understand
where people we indict may be sent
following the indictment.
We encourage the jail inspection to
be removed from the Grand Jury’s
role, and that a specific (educated)
group be created to provide this im
portant service. There are numerous
jail-related facts that previous Grand
Juries listed in their Presentment and
which we do not want to include here,
as the information can be gained by
speaking with the head of the jail and
the staff there.
Tax Commissioner Annual Report
As required by O.C.G.A. 48-5-161
that the tax commissioner, Claudia G.
Lawson, submit her cashbook and
execution docket to the Grand Jury.
A summarized copy of this annual re
port for the year of 2014 is attached.
Conclusion
Each member of the Grand Jury has
dedicated a significant amount of
time over the last two months away
from their normal daily lives to serve
on the jury. Each of the 26 members
has come to the table with a different
perspective and likely a different view
on the process. There is no doubt
that each one of us has had an eye
opening experience that leaves us
with a completely new outlook.
AUSTIN K. DUDLEY,
FOREMAN
NOREEN MCCLARTY,
ASST. FOREMAN
ANNIE R. WASHINGTON,
SECRETARY
MELISSA J. CHRISTOFF,
ASST. SECRETARY
KATHY R. ADAMS
TRICIA APPELTON
TAMEKA L. BARNES
FELITA BOOKER
GEORGIA M. BROWN
LINDAS. COLVIN
ANTOINETTE COWELL
SHERIEF H. EISSA
DAVID G. HURST
STEPHANIE F. JAMES
LEAH C. JUNIRS
ANTHONY LOVE
KIMBERLEE K. MARTENS
BRONWEN A. MORGAN
BRUCE R. NEWTON
DEANNAS. REES
LINDA L. RENEGAR
BRYTEN RODDY
MOHAMMED S. SHAFIQ
INGER E. VANHOY
GERRARD S. WAITE
ALICE M. WHITLEY
330-372585 5/7,5/14jb
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Development Authority of
DeKalb County will conduct a
monthly meeting on Thursday, May
14, 2015, at 125 Clairemont Avenue,
Decatur Town Center Two, Suite 100,
Decatur, GA 30030 at 8:00
a.m. + + DADC 5/14/15 + +
330-372588 5/14WG
PUBLIC NOTICE
An Application has been applied
for a Liquor, Beer, and Wine Retail
Dealer License for (++Money Three
Sam Package Store++), 3351 Glen-
wood Road, Decatur, GA 30032. The
owner is Muhammed Zahid
Ghazipura.
330-372594 5/14WG
Public Notice of Request
for EPD Buffer Variance
The proposed project involves native
meadow restoration that will en
croach upon the 25 foot stream buf
fer at four (4) separate locations at
the Fernbank Museum of Natural His
tory located at ++767 Clifton Road++
in DeKalb County, Georgia. Native
meadow restoration will be imple
mented as part of the overall project
and will include: 1) low impact meth
ods for the removal of non-native in
vasive species, removal of trash and
debris; 2) fine grading on existing
soils, filling in limited areas of eroded
or low areas with existing soils for the
purpose of naturalization; 3) soil
amendments; 4) plantings - passive
habitat restoration techniques includ
ing encouraging volunteer growth
from seed bank colonization, and 5)
active habitat restoration including
seeding, planting plugs, bare roots,
balled and burlap, or containerized
plant material. The native meadow
restoration is proposed in 4 locations
within the stream buffer along South
Fork Peavine Creek, the area of dis
turbance within the 25-foot stream
buffer totals 11,029 square feet. This
total area includes all four (4) areas
of native meadow restoration and an
elevated boardwalk that will serve as
a viewing area. Site plans for this
activity are open for public review at
the following location: Georgia De
partment of Natural Resources, En
vironmental Protection Division, Non-
Point Source Program, Erosion and
Sedimentation Control Unit, 2 Martin
Luther King Jr. Drive, S.W., Suite
1462, Atlanta, GA 30334. Public
comments regarding this activity
should be submitted to the attention
of the Program Manager at this same
address within 30 days of the public
ation of this notice.
330-372614 5/14,5/21WG
NOTICE OF ABANDONED
MOTOR VEHICLE
Re: White 2006 Volvo VN670
VIN No. ++4V4NC9TH56N421134++
License No. and State: No Tag
To Whom It May Concern:
The above automobile was removed
from 6276 Memorial Dr., Stone
Mountain, GA 30083 on April 14,
2015. It is presently located at 6276
Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain, GA
30083 in possession of R & J Truck
Repair, telephone number 678-910-
9484. Attempts to locate the owner
have been unsuccessful. The vehicle
is deemed abandoned under
O.C.G.A. §40-11-2 and will be dis
posed of if not redeemed.
330-372616 5/14wg
PUBLIC NOTICE
To Very Low Income Families
Application for
++HOUSING CHOICE
VOUCHER PROGRAM++
The Housing Authority of the City of
Lithonia, Georgia will be accepting
five hundred (500) applications for
the Housing Choice Voucher Pro
gram (formally known as Section 8).
The application process is open for
the Lithonia Housing Authorities Ten
ant Based HCV Program only. These
applications will be taken “ONLINE
ONLY” by visiting the following web
site:
www.lithonia.housingmanager.co
m at 9:00am EST on May 20, 2015.
The application process will be open
to the first five hundred (500) applic
ants, and will be suspended when
five hundred (500) applications are
submitted. Applicants must provide
a valid e-mail address at time of
application for future correspond
ence.
Applications will be accepted without
regard to Race, Color, Religion, Sex,
Handicap, Family Status, or National
Origin. The applicants of eligible (very
low income) families or elderly (62 or
older), handicapped, or disabled per
sons are placed on the Lithonia
Housing Choice Voucher Waiting
List, in accordance with Federal Pref
erence Rule, for assistance in the fu
ture. Occupants of Public Housing or
other assisted housing and applic
ants on a waiting list for any such
Housing, must apply specifically for
participation in the Lithonia Housing
Authorities Housing Choice Voucher
(HCV) Program if they wish to be
considered for participation. This is
for application to the waiting list and
does not imply or guarantee immedi
ate assistance.
The City of Lithonia Housing Choice
Voucher Program is subsidized by
the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) and is administered by the
Lithonia Housing Authority located at
6878 Max Cleland Blvd, Lithonia, GA
30058. The Program is in admin
istered in accordance with the Feder
al Fair Housing Law and the Federal
Fair Housing Amendment of 1988.
The Lithonia Housing Authority will
suspend taking applications for the
Housing Choice Voucher Program
upon receiving five hundred (500) ap
plications. Notification will be pub
lished via legal published advertise
ment when acceptance of applica
tions resume.
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
FAIR HOUSING
330-372664 5/14,5/21,5/28WG
City of Clarkston and the
Georgia Department
of Transportation
To Hold
A Public Information
Open House
For Project
++CSHPP-0007-00(613)
Clarkston Streetscape
lmprovements++
The City of Clarkston and the Geor
gia Department of Transportation in
vite you to attend a Public Informa
tion Open House (PIOH) to provide
the public an opportunity to ask ques
tions and comment on the conceptu
al design drawings for the City of
Clarkston Streetscape Enhancement
Project. Proposed project improve
ments include roadway resurfacing,
sidewalks, street lighting and furnish
ings, landscape planting, banners,
gateway monuments, railroad cross
ing improvements and other related
improvements along portions of East
Ponce de Leon Avenue, Market
Street, Rowland Avenue and Nor
man Road.
No formal presentation will be given
at the PIOH. City staff and consult
ants will be available to meet one-on-
one to address questions on the
project. PIOH meeting location and
time is as follows:
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Meeting to be Conducted Between
Hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Clarkston Community Center
3701 College Avenue
Clarkston, GA 30021
In accordance with the National En
vironmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
Title VI, the City will provide interpret
ers in the following languages: Am-
haric, Arabic, Burmese, Nepali and
Somali to accommodate citizens re
quiring translation services at the PI
OH. A court reporter will be available
during the PIOH for those persons
who would like to make verbal com
ments. PIOH meeting site meets ac
cessibility requirements in accord
ance with the American Disability Act
(ADA).
A copy of all comments received and
responses to comments will be avail
able for public review on the project
website;
www.visualizeclarkston.com, on
July 13th, 2015. The deadline for
submittal of written comments in re
sponse to the project is Friday, June
19th, 2015. Written comments may
be submitted to the following:
City of Clarkston
Clarkston City Hall Annex
1055 Rowland Street,
Clarkston GA 30021
ATTN: Keith Barker; City Manager
The project information, displays and
plans will be available for review at
the City of Clarkston; City Hall Annex,
1055 Rowland Street, Clarkston, GA
30021 and online at www.visualize-
clarkston.com until June 19th, 2015.
330-372687 5/14
CALL FOR SPECIAL ELECTION TO
FILL VACANCY
IN THE OFFICE OF DEKALB
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
DISTRICT 5
We, the members of the DeKalb
County Board of Registration and
Elections, do hereby call for a spe
cial election to be held on June 16,
2015, to fill the vacancy in the office
of DeKalb County Commissioner,
District 5. If a runoff is required, it will
be held on July 14, 2015. The spe
cial election will be held to fill the un
expired term of Lee May, resigned.
Qualifying is to begin on Monday,
May 18, 2015 at 9:00 AM and end at
4:30 PM on Wednesday, May 20,
2015. The qualifying fee is $1,151.24.
Qualifying will be in the office of the
DeKalb County Board of Registra
tions and Elections, 4380 Memorial
Drive, Decatur, GA 30032.
The last day to register to be eligible
to vote in this special election is May
18, 2015. The special election will be
held in all the regular polling places in
Commission District 5, DeKalb
County. The polls will open at 7:00
AM and close at 7:00 PM.
This call is issued by the DeKalb
County Board of Registration and
Elections.
This 14th day of May, 2015
H. Maxine Daniels, Elections Director
For: The DeKalb County Board of
Registrations and Elections
Public Sale
340-372025 5/7.5/14WG
CROSSROADS STORAGE
3979 BUFORD HWY SUITE 100.
ATLANTA, GA 30345
404-327-9320
Notice of Sale
PURSUANT TO THE GEORGIA
SELF STORAGE ACT (210-215)
CROSSROADS STORAGE,LOC
ATED @ 3979 BUFORD HWY
SUITE 100, ATLANTA GA, 30345,
WILL HOLD PUBLIC AUCTION ON
SITE ++05/27/15 AT 12:00P.M++ OR
NEXT BUSINESS DAY.
UNITS CONTAIN:
FURNITURE
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
BOXES, BAGS. ETC.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO RE
JECT ANY AND ALL BIDS, TO
WITHDRAW ANY UNITS FROM THE
SALE. PURCHASER MUST VA
CATE UNIT WITHIN 48 HOURS.
SALE TERMS ARE CASH OR
CREDIT CARD. NAME/UNIT:
Perkins-A023
Abrahams-K214
Smith-CC105
Gladstein-F174.F154, F158
Thompson-Symonds CC114
Leak-D115
Assam-B054
340-372078 5/7.5/14JH
PUBLIC SALE
In accordance with the provisions of
State Law, there being due and un
paid charges for which the under
signed is entitled to satisfy an owner
and/or manager's lien of the goods
hereinafter described and stored at
the Uncle Bob's Self Storage loca
tion^) listed below.
And, due notice having been given,
to the owner of said property and all
parties known to claim an interest
therein, and the time specified in
such notice for payment of such hav
ing expired, the goods will be sold at
public auction at the below stated loc
ation^) to the highest bidder or other
wise disposed of on ++Friday, May
29th, 2015 at 9:30AM++
2910 N. Decatur, Rd.,
Decatur, GA 30033
Phone: (404) 292-0666
Space No.
Customer Name
Inventory
1D19
Vicki Cates
Household Goods, Furniture,
4I04
Eurana Thompson
Household Goods/ Furniture; TV/
Stereo Equipment; Tools/ Appli
ances; Office Furniture/ Machines/
Equipment; Landscaping/ Construc
tion Equipment, Other boxes
340-372080 5/7,5/14wg
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
Notice is hereby given that the under
signed will sell, to satisfy lien of the
owner, at public sale by competitive
bidding via
www.storagetreasures.com on
++May 27, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.++ for
the Extra Space Storage facility loc
ated at:
2329 Panola Road
Lithonia, GA 30058
770-323-7685
The personal goods stored therein by
the following may include, but are not
limited to general household, fur
niture, boxes, clothes, and appli
ances.
202 - Cortez Cameron- Household
Items
440- Anthony Elder- Furniture
712- Arlene Stanley- Household
goods, Furniture, Appliances, Cloth
ing
800 - Shawn Brown- Household
Items
546- Sabrina Murphy- Household
Items, Furniture
602 - Johnie Gage- Clothes, Office
Supplies
370- Robin Goudy- Box with Read
ing Material
161- Kevin Miles- Office Furniture
1528- Nigel Jarvis- Household Items
1522- Steven Lake- Household