The re-trial of Joshua and Jonathan Moulder, charged in a 10 count indictment with aggravated cruelty to animals, burglary, criminal damage to property in the second degree, making terroristic threats and cruelty to children in the second degree will begin on January 3, 2007 with the selection of a jury.   It will be held in Courtroom 4-E of the Fulton County Justice Tower.  On December 15, 2006, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Cummings Moore declared a mistrial after the jury in the first trial reported it was deadlocked.  The brothers are being held in jail without bond.
             On August 21, 2006, a police officer responded to a call at the Englewood Manor Apartments on Dalton Street in Atlanta.  The community center had been broken into and vandalized. In the kitchen the officer found a small, dead puppy in an oven.  Crime Scene Investigators determined that scratch marks inside the oven indicated the puppy had been alive when placed inside and the oven turned on.  The veterinarian who performed the necropsy testified in the first trial the puppy had been literally cooked to death.
            Senior Assistant District Attorney Laura Janssen will again prosecute the case, assisted by Deputy District Attorney Ron Dixon and Fulton County DA Investigator M. C. Cox

Defendant Ricky Potts was sentenced by Judge Isaac Jenrette and received seven years (four of which are to be served in prison). Potts was found guilty of the 8 October 2003 vehicular homicide that took the life of MARTA Police Officer Micah Brown (29). Potts was convicted of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, serious injury by vehicle, misdemeanor hit-and-run, and misdemeanor reckless driving and faces up to 15 years.

Benny Daugherty pleaded guilty to robbery by force and burglary and was sentenced to five years (two of which are to be served in prison, with the balance probated) for two 2003 incidents. In the first, the defendant forcibly snatched a purse from the victim, Ms. Shirley Shikany, at 1265 Lee Street in southwest Atlanta. In the other incident, Daugherty entered Ragsdale Elementary School at 187 Wesley Avenue in northeast Atlanta through a window and stole a computer. He was apprehended nearby. Assistant District Attorney Claire Farley prosecuted the case, and Judge Philip Etheridge presided.

Following his guilty plea to one count of burglary, Donterrious Walker was sentenced to two years in prison. In December 2003, Walker entered a home at 1176 Avon Avenue in southwest Atlanta and took several items belonging to the occupants. Atlanta police spotted him on Oakland Lane carrying bags containing the stolen property. Upon seeing police, he dropped the bags and fled but was arrested two days later. Senior ADA Todd Ashley prosecuted the case.

Derrick Gilbert was sentenced to 10 years in prison for an August 2003 assault on James Burgin. Gilbert was found guilty of armed robbery. The victim was traveling on foot along Fairburn Road near Campbellton Road when he was approached by Gilbert, who demanded money. He then beat Mr. Burgin with a tire iron, which resulted in serious head injuries. Senior Assistant District Attorney Keith Foster prosecuted the case.

Willliam Garrison was convicted of robbery and aggravated battery and sentenced to 10 years (three of which are to be served in prison) for a May 2003 attack on Moustapha Diaw, a Georgia State University student. The victim had gone to visit a friend at 1935 Allison Court in Atlanta, and, upon entering the apartment, he was attacked by Garrison, who took money and a cellphone from him. The defendant then severely beat and kicked him, breaking the victim’s nose and causing other injuries.

Following his guilty plea, Eric Steele was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 2003 armed robbery of a liquor store on Cascade Road. Steel pleaded guilty to armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The suspect was identified with the help of neighborhood residents. Senior Assistant District Attorney Sharla Jackson prosecuted this case.

Following his guilty plea, Bobby Slaton was sentenced to life in prison for the August 2002 rape of a 17-year-old female victim in view of her infant son. The defendant pleaded guilty to rape, false imprisonment, and cruelty to children in the second degree. Slaton approached the victim, who was carrying her child, as she walked to the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station in southwest Atlanta. He offered to arrange a ride for the victim and led her to a wooded area behind the station where he raped her. Senior Assistant District Attorneys Sally Butler and Antje Kingma prosecuted the case.

Following his conviction, Vincent Turner was sentenced to life in prison for the October 2002 murder of Lovett Strozier and injury of Tevis Strozier. Turner was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, theft by receiving stolen property, and felony fleeing & attempting to elude. While attempting to elude Atlanta police at high speed in a stolen vehicle, Turner drove through an intersection at Murphy and Dill Avenues in southwest Atlanta, striking the car driven by the deceased victim. Turner and co-defendant Cassin Johnson fled on foot but were apprehended a short time later. Lovett Strozier died at the scene. Johnson previously pleaded guilty to obstruction. Senior Assistant District Attorney Shondeana Crews prosecuted the case.

Following his guilty plea and avoiding the death penalty, Jason Pierce was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 26 August 1999 murders of Patrice Lassiter and Monique Brown and the shooting of Shunae Allen in their Club Candlewood apartment in East Point. Pierce pleaded guilty to murder (two counts), felony murder (four counts), aggravated assault (three counts) and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Deputy District Attorney Al Dixon prosecuted the case.

Ambrocio Valdivia was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the 14 October 2001 shooting deaths of Dario Bernal-Isidor and Joaquin Diaz and the wounding of Rafael Bailon. Valdivia was found guilty of malice murder (two counts), felony murder (two counts), and aggravated assault (three counts). The victims knocked on Valdivia’s door at 390 Irwin Street in Atlanta, mistakenly believing they could purchase beer from the location. The defendant became angry and opened fire. Senior Assistant District Attorneys K. David Cooke and James Miller prosecuted the case.

Antoine Wallace has been sentenced to life in prison for the 20 February
2003 murder of Danielle Curney. He was found guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Following an ongoing dispute over a woman, Wallace shot and killed Mr. Curney as he backed his car into a parking lot at 420 Thomasville Boulevard in southeast Atlanta. Senior Assistant District Attorney Ron Boyter prosecuted the case.

Xzavier Scott was sentenced to life in prison for the June 2001 murder of his 13-month-old daughter, Shaniya West. Scott was found guilty of felony murder, cruelty to children, and giving false information to a law enforcement officer. The child, who lived with Scott and his girlfriend (the child’s mother) at 4550 Washington Road in south Fulton County, died as a result of being shaken and beaten and showed indications of previous physical abuse. Senior Assistant District Attorney K. David Cooke prosecuted the case.

Ruth Parker (44) has pleaded guilty to theft by taking and forgery in the first degree and has been sentenced to 15 years (one of which is to be served in prison, with the balance on probation) for the theft of over $85,000 from the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Parker worked for the Chamber from 1995 through 1997 and returned in 1998-serving as the director of finance until 2001. In that time, she fraudulently caused her salary to be increased, resulting in the loss of over 85,000. She also forged two financial statements that purported to be from an actual accounting firm. These forgeries were discovered by then-president of the Chamber Karen Handel and the resulting investigation revealed the other thefts. All totaled, she caused a loss to the Chamber of almost $150,000. Chief senior Assistant District Attorney Brad Malkin of the White Collar Crime Unit prosecuted the case, Roswell Police Detective Roger Marbut investigated, and Judge Stephanie Manis presided.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Antje Kingma convicted Leon B. Jones (16) of rape, kidnapping, aggravated sodomy, and child molestation for the 20 May 2002 rape of a 12-year-old girl in Atlanta's Vine City neighborhood. The defendant, who was 14 at the time of the attack, was tried as an adult. Jones abducted the girl as she walked to school and raped her in the basement of an empty house at 793 Chestnut Place. Atlanta Police Detectives J. Morales and F. Lupo investigated, and Judge Alice Bonner presided.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Sharla Jackson convicted Chuck Lee (31) of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault (three counts), and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the 28 January 2001 shooting death of Henrico Morant (29). Judge T. Jackson Bedford sentenced Lee to life in prison plus 20 years. On the day of the incident, Lee asked the victim for a ride home with the intent of robbing him. Later that day, Mr. Morant's body was discovered in his car with two gunshot wounds at 1144 Avondale Avenue in southeast Atlanta. Lee later confessed the killing to his girlfriend. Atlanta Police Detective D. Quinn investigated the case.

Judge Rowland Barnes sentenced Veronica Fuller (24) to life in prison plus nine years for the July 2002 stabbing death of Wilburt White (50). Fuller was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. The defendant had given the victim $30 to buy beer for her earlier in the day. Later that night, Fuller confronted Mr. White, who said he did not have the beer or money. Fuller then stabbed Mr. White once in the stomach. Senior Assistant District Attorney Brett Pinion prosecuted the case, and Atlanta Police Detective Mike Carter investigated.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Sally Butler prosecuted Anthony Enurah (48) on one count of aggravated battery for a January 2002 incident at Atlanta Medical Center. Enurah was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Elizabeth Long. The defendant was on staff at the hospital as an x-ray technician at the time of the incident. He encountered the victim, Linda Jacobs (35)-who also worked at the hospital-on the elevator, thrust his hand into her pants, penetrated her vaginally with his fingers, and left $20 in her clothing. Atlanta Police Detective Frank Lupo investigated the case.

Defendant Gregory Hall (22) has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years probation for the 4 February 2003 robbery of a woman in Buckhead. He was found guilty of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The victim, Robin Howell, had just parked her car at a shopping center near Lenox Square when the defendant approached her and drew a gun. He demanded her keys and fled in the vehicle. After contacting the police, Ms. Howell activated her car's "On-Star" tracking system, and the vehicle was located near the defendant's mother's house. When police moved in, he attempted to flee but was apprehended. Assistant District Attorney Richele Powell prosecuted the case, and Judge Jerry Baxter presided.

Senior Assistant District Attorney K. David Cooke, Jr. prosecuted Shaun Thomas (30) for the murder of his 10-month-old daughter, Asia Wheeler. Thomas was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault (four counts), and cruelty to children in the first degree (four counts) and was sentenced to life (plus 65 years) in prison by Judge Gail Tusan. On 7 February 2002, the defendant telephoned 911 to report that the child had fallen from her bed while sleeping in their apartment at 1940 Fisher Road in southeast Atlanta. Medical authorities later determined that the child's injuries were inconsistent with the fall described by the defendant and instead diagnosed that the child had been beaten to death based on her numerous broken bones in internal injuries.

Senior Assistant District Attorneys Ron Boyter and Brett Pinion prosecuted Terry Brandon Harper (25) and Emmanuel Ruiz (26) for a 26 September 2001 triple murder in southwest Atlanta. The defendants were found guilty of murder (three counts each), felony murder (three counts each), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (three counts each), and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (one count) and were sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison by Judge Jerry Baxter.

Harper and Ruiz went to FJ's Tavern at 2002 Metropolitan Parkway intending to kill the bar's owner, Joe Lurhman (55), who had banned Harper from the premises some weeks prior and to whom Ruiz owned drug money. Lurhman was shot seven times while seated on a barstool. Patron David Carty (37) was shot three times when he exited the restroom, and waitress Tracy Glover (42), who fled the building through the rear exit, encountered Ruiz in the parking lot where she was shot four times.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Rand J. Csehy of the Major Drugs Unit obtained a guilty plea from defendant Wayne Lowe (24) on charges of trafficking cocaine (two counts), possession of cocaine (two counts), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and bribery. Judge Gino Brogdon sentenced Lowe to 25 years in prison.

The plea encompassed four separate arrests that occurred between February 2001 and June 2002 in the Jonesboro Road area of south Fulton County. In the February 2001 arrest, Atlanta Police Department investigators W. Smart and P.J. Roberson executed a search warrant at Lowe's apartment and discovered crack cocaine, razor blades, and other paraphernalia used in producing and packaging cocaine for sale. Two minor children were present in the apartment at the time.

In the June 2002 incident, the Fulton County Sheriffs Department entered Lowe's apartment via an arrest warrant and recovered over 70 grams of crack cocaine and a semi-automatic handgun. When Lowe was arrested, he attempted to bribe the deputies by offering them $4,000 if they would let him go.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Rand Csehy of the Major Drugs Unit convicted Damian Ibekilo (39) of trafficking heroin. The charges stem from a December 2001 incident in which local, state, and federal law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at 644 Jett Street in southwest Atlanta. Investigators discovered 4.36 grams of heroin broken into 20 packages and mail addressed to the defendant. A ledger containing information regarding the defendant's drug transactions was also found. Judge Philip Etheridge sentenced Ibekilo to 15 years in prison and fined him $50,000. Atlanta Police Detective T.S. Davis and FBI Special Agent P. Douglas Collier investigated the case.

Between 12 February and 13 February 1998, Ayoluwa and another still unidentified suspect assaulted and robbed four people in southwest Atlanta at gunpoint. After one victim contacted police and was able to provide a description—including the license plate number—of the car the two men were driving (which they had stolen from another victim the day before), the defendant was apprehended by police in possession of the automobile as well as other property stolen from the victims. The second man was able to escape capture.

This defendant pleaded guilty to the charges in 1999 and received a 25-year sentence but later appealed, claiming his plea had not been given voluntarily and that his counsel had misrepresented the expected sentence. Because the transcript of the original proceeding could not be located, the Court of Appeals reversed the conviction, ruling that the State could not sustain its burden of proving that the plea had been freely and voluntarily entered into.

Senior Assistant District Attorney K. David Cooke, Jr., of the Crimes Against Women & Children Unit, recently convicted defendant Terri Lynn Peterson (34) of the January 1998 murder of five-year-old Terrell Peterson. The defendant was found guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and cruelty to children and was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years by Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane. At her apartment on Leila Lane in Atlanta (where she lived with her mother Pharina, Terrell, and other minor children), the defendant routinely starved Terrell and beat him with objects including a belt, a dog collar, and an extension cord. Terrell’s older sister also witnessed the defendant forcing Terrell to eat feces from the toilet and to stand on a floor furnace, resulting in severe burns and skin graft surgery. DNA evidence found on stockings confirmed that Terrell was frequently tied to a banister in the apartment for hours at a time. Medical testimony showed that Terrell ultimately died as a result of malnutrition and prolonged abuse. Pharina Peterson had previously entered a guilty plea for her part in Terrell’s death and is serving a life sentence in prison.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Gayle M. Abramson of the Office's Crimes Against Women & Children Unit recently convicted Jason Ford (27) on charges of felony pimping, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges came about as a result of an Atlanta Police Department raid on a "live sex show" party hosted by Ford and advertised on his adult website. The July 2002 party, held at Club Zinc (located at 582 Piedmont Avenue, NE), involved a sex show featuring Amanda Jones (29) and a 16-year-old female brought to the party by Ford. The defendant met the minor a few weeks prior and suggested they start an escort service together. He paid her $170 as an "investment" and promised her more money as an escort. She was to meet her first "client" the day after the Club Zinc party.

Undercover detectives attended the party and saw the minor brought to the club by Ford and encouraged to participate briefly in the sex show with Jones. Jones was charged with being a party to the crime of pimping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Charges against her were dismissed mid-trial when the presiding judge determined that there was insufficient evidence that Jones knew the minor's real age.

During trial, evidence was introduced that Ford had previously solicited a 14-year-old female to participate in pornographic videos. Detectives from Las Vegas testified that Ford gave a statement admitting to soliciting the girl over the internet and offering her $4,000 to make pornographic videos.

Ford was sentenced to 20 years (eight of which are to be served in prison, with the balance probated). He must also register as a convicted sex offender. Judge Stephanie Manis presided. Ford is facing a maximum of 20 years on each count, a potential sentence of 60 years to serve. He has been convicted of burglary three (3) times.

Senior Assistant District Attorney G. Scott Hulsey of the Office's Major Drugs Unit recently obtained a guilty plea from Donald Stanley (28) on one count of trafficking in cocaine. The defendant was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The charge stemmed from a May 2001 search of the defendant's residence at 50 Belle Isle Drive in Atlanta following a tip from an out-of-state informant. A controlled buy was arranged by the North Fulton Drug Task Force via telephone, and the subsequent search of the residence yielded 811 grams of cocaine.

Judge Doris Downs presided, and Detective Lanier of the Drug Task Force investigated.