Jury Trials Lost

Almost all of them….

Drug Charges Dismissed

Still counting….

Citizens Getting Concerned

More each day!

CONVICTION: State v. Michael Lareco Daniel

Hard work pays off…. On April 17, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office managed by Deborah Gonzalez was caught yet again unprepared for trial on a case involving rape, incest, and child molestation. Surprisingly, the prosecutor then announced that he was going to dismiss the case.

Thankfully, the victim’s mother retained local counsel and filed for a hearing with the Judge based on a Marsy’s Law Violation. The mother also requested that Deborah Gonzalez and her office recuse themselves from the case. A hearing was held on May 19, 2023. The District Attorney’s Office admitted to violating the rights of the movant and the minor victim. They agreed to recuse their office from the case, as well as, another case pending against the same accused. As a result, the District Attorney’s Office had to request assistance from the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Counsel for Georgia and a special prosecutor will be assigned.

On June 29, 2023, Randy McGinley, District Attorney for the Alcovy Circuit (Walton and Newton County) filed his Notice of Appointment as District Attorney Pro Temp and Entry of Appearance. A few days later, he filed a Motion to Vacate Nolle Prosequi on July 7, 2023. The Court granted the request for DA McGinley on July 7, 2023 to reinstate the charges against Mr. Brown despite the prior nolle prosequi which was found to be improvidently granted.

The Defendant was arrested on November 9, 2023. His request for bond was denied.

After learning of a similar victim, DA McGinley provided notice to the Defendant that the additional victim would be called to testify at trial. Despite objections from Mr. Daniel, the Court allowed the testimony from the additional victim who experienced the same trauma at age 15.

A jury was selected and Mr. Daniel was forced to stand trial on Monday, February 26, 2024. The case was prosecuted by DA McGinley as District Attorney Pro Tempore of the Western Judicial Circuit.

On Thursday, February 29, 2024, Mr. Daniel was found guilty of all charges. He was sentenced to life in confinement. Thankfully, due to the hard work of DA McGinley (from Walton/Newton County), his office, the victim’s mother and her attorney, Kevin Epps, Mr. Daniel is no longer able to rape his young relatives.

For the District Attorney’s Office managed by Deborah Gonzalez, we can say thank you for not opposing the request to recuse.