Thread by @ASFleischman

Whoa. New Georgia judge grants directed verdict in murder case because DA failed to have its witnesses ready on the agreed date of trial.

fox5atlanta.com/news/defense-a…

This is the rare criminal case where the news actually talks to defense counsel. Check out how different the slant is when they bother

And, holy hell, Portua Bruner, the reporter, actually provides a copy of the judge's order. This is exemplary local reporting. @PortiaFOX5

@PortiaFOX5 It's impossible not to love this. The State demanded no bond for the defendants, promising they'd be ready for trial soon, and the judge expected them to keep their promise. The judge notes they didn't get a search warrant until after they moved for a continuance.

@PortiaFOX5 When it appeared the judge was going to make them go forward on a specially set trial, the DA's office moved to RECUSE her, based on some stuff it had certainly known since the beginning of the case.

@PortiaFOX5 So then, on the day of trial, having failed to secure its witnesses while these two men were in jail for a year, the State tries to nolle prosse the case, hoping that would fix the problem. No dice, the judge said.

@PortiaFOX5

https://twitter.com/ASFleischman/status/1217123622562734080

@PortiaFOX5 After the nolle prosse fails, the State moves on to its next gambit, refusing to participate in the case.

@PortiaFOX5 So the judge orders a directed verdict, noting that any danger to the community came from the State's failure to do its job, and not from her decision to follow the law.

@PortiaFOX5 This is just a beautiful and rare example of a judge forcing the State to follow the law.

The judge, Shondeana C. Morris, has not been on the bench for very long at all. This was courageous.

dekalbsuperiorcourt.com/judges/shondea…

@PortiaFOX5 Also, a tip of the hat to @DrewFindling for some pretty excellent work, coupled with the media savvy to get his story out before the prosecutors could.

@PortiaFOX5 @DrewFindling Some people were asking whether the State can avoid jeopardy, as it claims, by not putting on any witnesses. The Supreme Court said no. Unanimously.

supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf…