ATLANTA -- According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation statistics, the overall violent crime rate is on the decline in Fulton County, yet crimes AGAINST women and children, including domestic violence and sexual assault, are growing at a rapid rate.  Domestic violence alone has increased 168% since 1996, and there is a direct relationship to the DA's office for this increase.

"While Paul Howard has stated repeatedly that he is an advocate for women and children, his actions prove otherwise," said John Turner, Republican candidate for Fulton County DA. "His own data contained within the Annual Report of the District Attorney's showed that for the over 1200 crimes against women and children in 1999 reported to him, he indicted only 614.  Of these, he only tried 6 cases.  This is what it means to be an advocate?  Only in Paul Howard's mind would this neglect be acceptable."

"My opponent has had four years to address women�s issues and yet he has ignored them for political gain. Instead, the focus of the present District Attorney has been on high profile crimes that gain media attention during an election year. The most notable instance is the Ray Lewis case. While this did not work out the way he had planned and in fact called into question his ability to be an effective leader (as stated by Cynthia Tucker from the Atlanta Journal & Constitution), he did not learn anything. He has stated that he would not handle the case any differently than he did the first time around. These types of high profile cases remain a priority for him today."

"My opponent has stated that he will destroy key evidence in rape cases after one year. I will maintain this evidence as long as needed to ensure a conviction. I will work to open additional rape crises centers throughout Fulton County and participate in the legislative process to ensure that we have adequate laws to protect the innocent and PROSECUTE THE GUILTY."

"I will increase the number of staff members assigned to the sexual assault unit. I will start an intensive community education unit for both police and citizens that will result in preventing crimes against women and children. I will send a message to the would-be assailant that crimes against women and children will not be tolerated in Fulton County and promise to prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law.

For more information regarding my candidacy, please visit my Website at: