On Thursday, October 24, 2024, local attorney Kevin Epps is scheduled to receive the Marsy’s Law Champion Award by Marsy’s Law for Georgia to commemorate October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mr. Epps has been a vocal champion for local crime victims who have been ignored and violated by District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez. Mr. Epps has initiated numerous Marsy’s Law violations against DA Gonzalez on behalf of crime victims whose rights were ignored.
Athens-Clarke County
- State v. Luke Harrison Waldrop (Charges related to first-degree homicide by vehicle, DUI, improper passing of bicycle)
- District Attorney’s Office proceeded with plea without notice to victim
- Judge Norris determined that the District Attorney’s Office violated Marsy’s Law
- No relief to victim related to “sweetheart” deal given to Defendant who caused death of James V. Jones who was riding his bicycle
- State v. Michael Lareco Daniel (Charges related to rape, incest, and child molestation)
- District Attorney’s Office improperly dismissed case without notice to victim
- Judge Norris determined that the District Attorney’s Office violated Marsy’s Law
- The improper dismissal was set-aside and the Defendant was eventually sent to prison
- State v. Nigel Burke Brown (Charges related to rape, false imprisonment, aggravated sodomy, and criminal trespass)
- District Attorney’s Office improperly dismissed case without notice to victim
- Judge Haggard determined that the District Attorney’s Office violated Marsy’s Law
- The improper dismissal was set-aside and Mr. Brown has been incarcerated since July 2, 2023 pursuant to Judge Hagard’s arrest order
- The Defendant has appealed the Court’s order allowing the case to proceed
- State v. Auston Antonio Gantt (Charges related to aggravated assault, felony obstruction on law enforcement officer, etc.)
- District Attorney’s Office improperly failed to give victim notice of a bond hearing
- Hearing held on October 15, but Court has not yet issued order
Oconee County
- State v. Carlos Alberto Mejia (Charges related to DUI, Hit and Run, etc.)
- District Attorney’s Office improperly dismissed a hit and run / DUI case without notice to victim
- Judge Norris determined that the District Attorney’s Office violated Marsy’s Law
- District Attorney’s Office was removed from the case and the Defendant is facing the charges with a special prosecutor
- State v. Charles Wayne Franklin (Charges related to aggravated assault and aggressive driving)
- District Attorney’s Office improperly failed to give victim notice of a bond hearing
- Judge Norris determined that the District Attorney’s Office violated Marsy’s Law
- Judge Norris ordered DA Gonzalez and each Assistant District Attorney in her office to complete a continuing legal education course on the duties and responsibilities required of prosecutors under the Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights. Proof of attendance must be submitted to the Court within 60 days.
The award will be presented to Mr. Epps on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom #1 of the Oconee County Courthouse. On behalf of Marsy’s Law for Georgia, the award will be presented by Advisory Board Members Christine Scartz, of the University of Georgia School of Law and Melvin Hewitt, co-founding partner Isenberg & Hewitt.
Thank you to Mr. Epps and his team for their unwavering support of victims in Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties.
