CONTACT: DEAN ALVERSON

404-781-0366

ATLANTA-John Turner, candidate for Fulton County District Attorney, has called for immediate response from the law enforcement leadership and the Mayor�s office to resolve the Buckhead crime spree.

Turner, a former assistant district attorney under Lewis Slaton has called the lack of leadership a travesty.  Since the Ray Lewis murder trial, it has been open season to commit crimes in Buckhead. 

There have been two additional murders and increasing crime against innocent patrons in the Buckhead area. None of these murders have been resolved, including the Ray Lewis case and guilty parties remain free. In the Ray Lewis case, two men were acquitted from the charges of murder as brought by Paul Howard and no additional charges have been sought.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution called the handling of the case "like a first year law student" citing Howard�s inability to apply the law. The rush to trial was motivated by a political agenda and not according to a natural progression of the legal system.

"This political misuse of the District Attorney�s office must stop," stated Turner.  "As Fulton County�s District Attorney, I will return honesty and integrity to the office.  Politicians who may have their own personal agenda will not influence me. I will apply the law fairly and equally and promise not to embarrass our community like Howard did in his handling of the Ray Lewis case and many others."

Delayed justice is no justice. There are several murder cases that are awaiting trial. Some of those cases are over five years old. The handling of the Ray Lewis trial causes one to wonder what the real agenda was since it only took a couple of months to bring it to trial. It appears that no one is in charge in the DA�s office and criminals remain free.

John ended his statement by saying, "Together we can make a difference to the citizens of Fulton County by convicting criminals. As District Attorney, that is my promise."

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