CONTACT: DEAN ALVERSON

404-781-0366

 FULTON DA’s RACE RECEIVES NATIONAL ATTENTION

ATLANTA- The race for Fulton County DA has received attention from the national press, including a recent appearance by challenger John Turner on ABC’s "Nightline." It is rare for such a local race to receive any national attention, and is due largely to the national response to the ill-fated Buckhead Murders trial and the local and national ridicule of current District Attorney Paul Howard.

Turner states that "Paul Howard has let down the people of Fulton County. He made promises that he has not kept, and justice is not being served. The people of Fulton County, the victims of crimes, their friends, and their family do not have faith in the Fulton County DA’s Office. It is sad for the citizens of Atlanta and Fulton County, and now the voters have an opportunity to do something about it."

Now, John Turner is receiving national support for his race against the beleaguered Howard. In addition to receiving financial support, Turner is the beneficiary of a major fundraiser this Wednesday featuring RNC Co-Chair Pat Harrison as a keynote speaker. The lunchtime event begins at noon, Wednesday October 4^th at Nona's Italian Kitchen, 3365 Piedmont Road, (Tower Place), in Atlanta.

The event’s keynote speaker, Pat Harrison, shares the viewpoint of many in Fulton County and the nation. "The Buckhead Murders trial was an embarrassment for the current DA and for the people of Fulton County. The killers of two men still walk the streets, and the current DA says that he wouldn’t do anything different; this means he didn’t learn a thing about himself or his office from that case. The ineptness of the DA and his office was widely detailed and editorialized in the Atlanta newspapers, as well as Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, CNN, and the three major television networks.

"But what was not reported then," Harrison continues, "and is now becoming well known, is that many serious cases, including rape cases and other murder cases are being mishandled, are going untried, and languish for over four years! We all should be concerned for the women and other victims of crime in Fulton County when they are not getting justice."

Harrison states that "I am excited about my visit to Atlanta and honored to support such a fine person as John Turner." She cites John’s excellent history on women’s issues as a primary reason she was compelled to attend. "John has been a women’s advocate and has taken a leadership role to ensure that crimes against women and children are dealt with in an aggressive manner while ensuring that justice is achieved." She notes that John has previously called for an expansion of the number of rape crisis centers in Fulton County.

###