About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2023)
CM K Stacey Abrams to join faculty at Howard University. INSIDE, 3A Thursday, April 6, 2023 | GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA | gainesvilletimes.com Honestly Local Convict in ‘child torture’ case argues to withdraw plea Shelby BY NICK WATSON nwatson@ gainesvilletimes.com A man sentenced to life in prison in what the prosecution has called a “child torture” case testified he felt he was pres sured to plead guilty despite maintaining his innocence. Scott Shelby, 48, was sen tenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated child molestation, four counts of child molestation and four counts of first-degree child cruelty. Assistant District Attorney Harold Buckler said in his open ing statement tin the June trial that the case went past abuse, calling it “child torture.” He described Shelby as “a man who did everything he could to hurt, to destroy these children.” The indictment stated that Shelby beat the children and forced them to perform sexual acts on one another. Shelby pleaded guilty during the second day of evidence in his June trial. He was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Kath- lene Gosselin to life in prison plus 60 years, with 21 of those years on probation. Two weeks after the sen tence, Shelby filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Shelby’s trial attorney, Kyle Denslow, testified at the hear ing. Shelby’s new attorney, ■ Please see SHELBY, 3A Opening set for Marriott Photos by SCOTT ROGERS I The Times The $50 million development named The National features a seven-story, 130-room hotel, convention space, apartments, outdoor plaza and dining areas. Hotel to open July 27 as first part of National Construction continues Tuesday, April 4, on the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in downtown Gainesville for a planned opening on July 27. BY JEFF GILL jgill@gainesvilletimes.com The Courtyard by Mar riott hotel in downtown Gainesville is opening July 27 as the first piece of the multi-use development The National. “We look forward to open ing our doors and serving our guests and the Gaines ville community with warm hospitality and the highest level of service,” general manager Wayne Cannon said in an email to The Times earlier this week. “Based on the current market dynamics, we would expect rates to range from $159 to $599 depending on the room type, season, demand and other factors,” he said. The hotel at 124 E.E. But ler Parkway, between Acad emy Street and Jesse Jewell Parkway, will start taking reservations closer to the opening through the hotel’s website. Some work still needs to be done before the seven- story, 130-room hotel opens, including staffing. “At this stage, we are focusing on establishing our hotel leadership team,” Cannon said. Closer to the opening, “we will start hosting job fairs and hiring for a range of hourly positions, including front desk, housekeeping, food and beverage, mainte nance and more, creating anywhere from 40-50 new jobs.” Otherwise, crews “are installing furniture and fix tures throughout the top three floors of the hotel while the lower floors undergo drywall, plumbing, carpet and electrical work,” Cannon said. The hotel is part of an overall development at 111 Green St., also bounded by Washington and Spring streets. The National also features a 157-unit, five- story apartment building that should open in August, said Jeff Payne, chair man of Capstone Property Group, the developer. Also in the works is the redevelopment of the Wal ton Jackson building, a 35,000-square-foot marble structure that sits at Green and Washington streets. Decoy, an upscale “eat- ertainment” restaurant, is slated to open there in late fall of this year. And North Georgia BBQ is slated to open its third location — with the others operating in Cleveland and Dahlonega — in the building sometime this year. Coroner: Man killed after construction site fall BY NICK WATSON nwatson@gainesvilletimes.com A man working Tuesday, April 4, at the new Hall County school construction site on Ramsey Road died after a fall from the scaffolding, accord ing to the coroner and the con struction company. Deputy coroner Kevin Wet zel said Javier Sanchez, 57, fell from the scaffolding at the future site of the Sandra Duna- gan Deal Elementary School. The deputy coroner said Sanchez’s body will be sent to the DeKalb County medical examiner for an autopsy. Hall County Schools spokes man Stan Lewis confirmed the information regarding the fatal fall but did not have any other details to share. Carroll Daniel marketing director Angie Kennedy said Sanchez was employed by a masonry subcontractor. Ken nedy said the man fell around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday while work ing on the first floor. Sanchez was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center and pronounced dead. “No unsafe practices or foul play appear to be the cause of the incident,” Kennedy said in a statement. “The incident is still under investigation.” Kennedy added that the “entire project team is sad dened by this tragic incident and sends prayers and deep sympathies to the crew mem ber’s loved ones.” The school district decided last year to name the school for Sandra Deal, a Gainesville native and former first lady who died in August after a battle with cancer. Habitat homes give hope to Hall families BY BRIAN WELLMEIER bwellmeier@gainesvilletimes.com More than 70 supporters and volunteers convened Wednesday, April 5, on Fawn Court in Gainesville to watch Habitat for Humanity of Hall County fulfill its core mission — to provide affordable housing to families in need. After 4,413 hours of labor devoted by more than 400 volunteers over a 10-month period, the finished products of two newly- built homes were unveiled to Miracle Adkins and Kreneeshia Mitchell and their families just after noon. During the dedication ceremony, long time Habitat volunteer Tom Reiter spoke on the impact that volunteers like him have on the organization’s effort to pro vide affordable housing in a market where homes have become unaffordable. “That’s just a number unless you think about it,” Reiter said of the hours spent building the two homes. “If we had to hire day laborers at $15 an hour to do what those 432 volunteers did ... this would no longer be an affordable house, so don’t underestimate the power of what you’re doing out here.” Just before Reiter’s remarks, recipients ■ Please see HABITAT, 3A BRIAN WELLMEIER I The Times Families receive keys to their new homes at a Habitat for Humanity of Hall County dedication ceremony Wednesday, April 5. County officials: Application for business park valid prior to approval BY BRIAN WELLMEIER bwellmeier@gainesvilletimes.com Nearly two weeks after a mixed-use com mercial and industrial business park on Cagle Road received approval from commissioners, Hall County officials addressed unanswered questions regarding developer Philip Wilheit’s undisclosed contributions to Commissioner Gregg Poole’s campaign, as well as the project’s placement in the North Oconee Watershed District. Following the project’s approval at a regular meeting March 23, Poole offered vague rheto ric and never clarified whether undisclosed contributions made to him by Wilheit had been corrected on the application as he’d said they would in February. County officials on Tuesday stated the Cagle Road development was legally approved. Since the zoning application was submitted in August, prior to Poole taking office, officials maintain no disclosure was necessary. With the exception of Commissioner Jeff Stowe, county documents show that Wilheit — the project’s applicant — provided financial contributions to the campaigns of each commis sioner on the board. All of those donations were disclosed on the application, including money given to former Commissioner Shelley Echols’ campaign before her departure. ■ Please see APPLICATION, 3A
