Georgia

Benoit Doc: ‘Roid Rage an Unknown

Professional wrestler Chris Benoit had 10 times the normal level of testosterone in his blood when he killed his wife and 7-year-old son and committed suicide at their suburban Atlanta home last month. But that doesn’t prove that he did so during a ‘roid rage, a medical examiner says. “This…

Jul 17, 2007 11:41 PM CDT

Innocence Claim Delays Execution

Georgia’s parole board has granted a 90-day stay of execution for Troy Anthony Davis, who says he is innocent. Davis’ scheduled execution for shooting a policeman was less than 24 hours away when the board granted the reprieve, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. A press release says the board will evaluate…

Jul 17, 2007 2:45 PM CDT

Celebrities Support Convicted Killer

The upcoming execution of a man who says he was wrongly convicted of killing a police officer has drawn international attention. Courts have refused to allow death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis to present new evidence, even though seven of nine prosecution witnesses who implicated him have renounced much of their…

Jul 10, 2007 5:26 PM CDT

Atlanta Foreclosures Up, Values Down

In the latest chapter of a sad story that could soon be commonly told throughout the country, an increasing rate of mortgage foreclosures in and around Atlanta is creating a business boom for lawyers and others involved in the litigation process. But meanwhile, it is apparently depressing home values. Because…

Jul 9, 2007 11:22 PM CDT

Lawyer Accused in Escape Plot

A Georgia lawyer is accused of giving a 14-inch pruning saw blade to a jailed client. The indictment charges William Keenan with furnishing a dangerous weapon to an inmate and conspiracy to commit escape, according to the Fulton County Daily Report. The client, Dareon Varner, was later convicted of armed…

Jul 6, 2007 2:40 PM CDT

Text Message Saves Kidnapped Lawyers

Atlanta police rescued two lawyers who had been abducted at gunpoint after one of the victims sent a text message to his brother. “We’ve been kidnapped. Please call the police and help us,” the message read, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. David Deganian, a public defender, sent the message from…

Jul 5, 2007 1:21 PM CDT

Affidavit: Wrestler Got ‘Excessive’ Steroids

Before murdering his wife and 7-year-old son and committing suicide at his suburban Atlanta home late last month, professional wrestler Chris Benoit reportedly got “excessive” amounts of steroids using prescriptions from his personal physician. Doctor Phil Astin, charged yesterday with improperly administering painkillers, prescribed, AP reports, “a 10-month supply of…

Jul 3, 2007 8:35 PM CDT

Wrestler’s Doc Charged in Drug Case

A personal physician for a professional wrestler who recently committed a double murder-suicide was charged today in a federal drug probe. Phil Astin is accused of having improperly dispensed painkillers and other drugs, in a case that began after wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife and their 7-year-old son were found…

Jul 2, 2007 8:02 PM CDT

DEA Raids Office of Dead Wrestler’s Doc

A doctor who prescribed testosterone to pro wrestler Chris Benoit is under investigation by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, following a double murder-suicide by Benoit in his suburban Atlanta home over the weekend. Phil Astin’s medical office in another Atlanta suburb was raided last night by DEA agents and Fayette…

Jun 29, 2007 12:41 AM CDT

Steroid Link in Wrestler’s Murder-Suicide?

Authorities are investigating possible illegal steroid use in case of a well-known professional wrestler who strangled his wife, smothered his son and then hanged himself in the weight room of their suburban Atlanta home. Although the slayings are still being investigated, authorities believe Chris Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, 43,…

Jun 26, 2007 7:47 PM CDT

Strangers Offer $1 M Bond to GA Teen

Eleven entrepreneurs have offered to pay a $1 million cash bond to free a Georgia teen who has been serving a 10-year sentence in a controversial child sex case. Due to a sentencing quirk, Genarlow Wilson received this term after being convicted of the felony of aggravated child molestation for…

Jun 26, 2007 6:05 PM CDT

Activist Backs Plea in Teen-Sex Case

The attorney for a youth sentenced to 10 years in prison for consensual teen sex is battling with a community activist over defense tactics. The Rev. Markel Hutchins told reporters that attorneys for Genarlow Wilson should consider a plea deal, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. But Wilson’s lead lawyer, B.J.…

Jun 17, 2007 11:14 PM CDT

Georgia Supremes Accept Teen-Sex Case

The Georgia Supreme Court has agreed to hear prosecutors’ appeal of a tossed sentence in a teen-sex case. On June 11, a state judge overturned a 10-year sentence for Genarlow Wilson, convicted for having consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. The court will hear the case…

Jun 15, 2007 3:28 PM CDT

Precedent Favors State in Teen-Sex Case

The youth whose 10-year sentence for consensual oral sex was tossed out may face an uphill battle on appeal. A Georgia judge granted a habeas corpus petition for Genarlow Wilson on June 11, saying his sentence for sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was age 17 was a “grave…

Jun 14, 2007 12:55 PM CDT

10-Year Teen Oral Sex Sentence Axed

A controversial 10-year mandatory prison sentence has been thrown out, in a case involving what has been described as consensual oral sex between a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old Georgia youth at a New Year’s Eve party three years ago. A habeas corpus petition was granted today by a Georgia…

Jun 11, 2007 11:41 PM CDT