SOCIAL MEDIA
Two weeks after eligibility was expanded, Georgia Dept. of Corrections will begin vaccinating everyone in their custody. More than 1,500 incarcerated people were vaccinated in phase 1A, but starting next week, GDC will begin receiving 2,000 doses a week. https://t.co/ywA8CVMFKx
At trial, the prosecution told the jury they don't even "have to be 51% sure" to convict, and the defense also failed to call expert medical witnesses.
The GA Supreme Court overturned their convictions due to ineffective assistance of counsel last year. https://t.co/QWfwCjUNEu
The GA Senate passed a trio of bills compensating 3 wrongly convicted soldiers for the 25 years they spent in prison for a murder they didn't commit: $1M each, doled out 20 over years–only a third of what they would have made if they'd been able to retire. https://t.co/JUFLOnkRwD
HB 255, which ensures cases involving sexual assault evidence move forward and perpetrators are held accountable by creating a tracking system of rape kits from initial collection to receipt, storage and analysis, is headed to the governor's desk. #gapol https://t.co/zKrO50s1DC
Proposed ethics revisions not only increase penalties for prosecutors who withhold exculpatory evidence, but also oblige prosecutors to proactively seek to remedy wrongful convictions in their jurisdictions. #gapol https://t.co/dHKOIE8HXE
Georgia banned the execution of people with intellectual disabilities in 1988, and yet only 1 of 379 death penalty defendants have been successful in that defense. Lawyers for Rodney Young say the state’s burden of proof "makes it all but impossible." https://t.co/6q16ecZIhq
Georgia Innocence Project
The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated the U.S. spends $81 billion a year on prison staffing and meeting the most basic needs of nearly 2 million incarcerated Americans.
But what support is available once a person gets out? Often, not much.
But what support is available once a person gets out? Often, not much.

The U.S. spends billions to lock people up, but very little to help them once they’re released
“600,000 people are released from correctional facilities every year, but it’s a part of the criminal justice system that’s being funded at no guarantee,” said Jennifer Ortiz, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Indiana University Southeast who studies reentry programs across the c...
pbs.org
Georgia Innocence Project
After fighting 44 years for his innocence, Ronnie Long is now fighting to be fairly compensated for the years stolen by wrongful conviction.
Long was pardoned last December, and the state was ordered to pay him $50,000 per year in prison – but an old state statue caps the amount at $750,000. That means Long gets nothing for more than two-thirds of the time he was behind bars.
Long was pardoned last December, and the state was ordered to pay him $50,000 per year in prison – but an old state statue caps the amount at $750,000. That means Long gets nothing for more than two-thirds of the time he was behind bars.

Ronnie Long says $750,000 is not enough after spending 44 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit
Ronnie Long finally got compensation from the state for the 44 years he spent behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.
wcnc.com
Georgia Innocence Project
Albert and Ashley Debelbot were convicted of murder in the death of their infant daughter, who died three days after arriving home from the hospital.
At trial, the prosecution told the jury they don't even "have to be 51% sure" to convict and didn't specify which parent allegedly killed the baby. The defense also failed to call expert medical witnesses.
After the Supreme Court of Georgia overturned their convictions due to ineffective assistance of counsel last year, the Columbus couple will not be retried.
At trial, the prosecution told the jury they don't even "have to be 51% sure" to convict and didn't specify which parent allegedly killed the baby. The defense also failed to call expert medical witnesses.
After the Supreme Court of Georgia overturned their convictions due to ineffective assistance of counsel last year, the Columbus couple will not be retried.

After 11 years in prison, Columbus couple’s charges to be dismissed in infant daughter’s death
The couple was convicted in October 2009 of killing their newborn daughter.
ledger-enquirer.com
Georgia Innocence Project
The state Senate passed a trio of bills to compensate three wrongly convicted soldiers for the 25 years they spent in prison for a Savannah murder they didn't commit.
It took three years to garner support for the bills, which allot $1 million each, doled out monthly over 20 years–only a third of what they would have made if they'd been able to retire.
Still, without any kind of statutory compensation law, the fight for an objective and reliable statutory compensation process continues.
It took three years to garner support for the bills, which allot $1 million each, doled out monthly over 20 years–only a third of what they would have made if they'd been able to retire.
Still, without any kind of statutory compensation law, the fight for an objective and reliable statutory compensation process continues.

Ga. lawmakers vote to pay soldiers wrongfully convicted of murder
The Georgia Legislature voted this week to pay three Fort Stewart soldiers who served 25 years in prison for a 1992 Savannah murder they didn't commit. The Georgia Senate gave final approval of bills to pay Mark Jones, Kenny Gardiner and Dominic Lucci $1 million each.
ajc.com
Georgia Innocence Project
The bill that ensures cases involving sexual assault evidence move forward and perpetrators are held accountable is headed to the governor's desk.
The Georgia Senate unanimously approved HB 255, which would create a tracking system of rape kits from initial collection to receipt, storage and analysis.
The Georgia Senate unanimously approved HB 255, which would create a tracking system of rape kits from initial collection to receipt, storage and analysis.
Rape kit tracking bill wins final approval in Georgia General Assembly
The Georgia General Assembly passed a bill Monday that creates a tracking system of sexual assault evidence, helping victims and prosecutors hold perpetrators accountable. The bill advances to Gov. Kemp for his signature or veto.
ajc.com
Georgia Innocence Project
Months after electing its first Black district attorney, the three-county Augusta Judicial Circuit is down to two after Gov. Kemp signed SB 9 into law Thursday. The bill allows Columbia its own separate judicial circuit.
The split–which could cost Georgia $1.4M annually–will require a new district attorney’s office, new public defenders, and potentially additional court staff to perform the work currently done in Augusta.
The split–which could cost Georgia $1.4M annually–will require a new district attorney’s office, new public defenders, and potentially additional court staff to perform the work currently done in Augusta.

Columbia County now its own judicial circuit after Gov. Brian Kemp signs bill
Governor signs into law legislation creating Columbia County Judicial Circuit.
augustachronicle.com