A bill introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives seeks to create a state commission charged with holding district attorneys accountable in a manner similar to that used for judicial accountability.
House Bill 143 was recently filed by Representatives William Boddie, Beth Moore, Jasmine Clark, Becky Evans, Angelika Kausche, and Zulma Lopez. It primarily seeks to amend the state law under a provision of the Georgia Constitution and create a ‘District Attorneys Oversight Commission’ which would have the power to “discipline, remove, and cause involuntary retirement of district attorneys” under the new statute.
Under the bill, there would be:
- A 7-person investigative panel;
- A 3-person hearing panel, which would make recommendations to the Georgia Supreme Court about disciplinary matters as well as issuing advisory opinions on behalf of the Commission;
- An appointed director of the commission, who would be required to be an active status member of the State Bar of Georgia and who would not practice law other than to represent the Commission or serve in a judicial capacity.
As far as the investigative panel goes, the Governor would appoint one attorney and two district attorneys. The Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate would each appoint one citizen and one attorney as well. The hearing panel would include an attorney, one district attorney, and one citizen, all three of whom would be appointed by the Governor.
Investigations would be launched after approval to do so by the full investigative panel, not by the request to a single member or the director. If a commission member received information relating to the conduct of a district attorney, they would refer it to the director to begin the formal process of bringing it before the entire panel.
The bill outlines that investigative findings, much like those for the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) would be kept confidential unless formal charges were brought forth, but once charges were filed, all records would be available under the Open Records Act and any administrative proceedings would be open to the public as regular meetings are.
Records would not be confidential in special circumstances, including:
- in the interest of justice and to protect the public;
- if an emergency situation exists; or
- if a district attorney is under consideration for another state or federal position.
The bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
You can read a copy of the bill here.
Case Number 2019-124388
To whom it may concern,
My name is Ebonie Marie Toye and I currently reside in
Warner Robins Georgia and have been a resident of the state
of Georgia beginning early February of 2017. I moved here
from SeaTac Washington (State) with the intention of assisting
my, then, step-father (Edward Judie), with the task helping
him in taking care of my Mother, Joyce Fox Judie, because
Edward lead myself and the rest of our/her family (Siblings,
nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, family, and the community)
to believe that my mother had been ‘diagnosed’ with
dementia, which eventually progresses to early on-set of
Alzheimer’s Disease. Fact: My mother was NEVER
diagnosed. Which wasn’t made clear until the investigation of
her passing/being murdered.
I am writing this letter today in hopes of accomplishing 3
things. However, most importantly, I hope to get the attention
and support of any community supporters and officials, along
with other initiatives that may help convey my concerns to the
public and judicial constituents.
I hope that after this letter has been read, please understand
that I AM ACCEPTING responsibility for the task of holding
THOSE accountable (Personal and Non) that have harmed,
falsified, and dismissed and/or delayed the processes of
carrying out justice for my mothers killer efficiently, timely and
with high priority. If not for any other reason, than at least to
uphold the oath they signed, agreeing to Prosecute those who
don’t. Such as murderers, thieves and law breakers of
Edward Judie’s type.
My mother was found dead in her bedroom on the night of
November 27, 2019. After the autopsy, it was found that she
had 5 times the lethal amount of Cocaine in her system which
IS what killed her, which He purchased and administered.
Here it is, over 3 years since she has passed. And nothing
has been done. He was released after the 2nd bond hearing
on a 220,000$ bond even after being heard on a BIBB County
Jail phone telling someone what to do about hiding insurance
proceeds, securing passports, and pursuing a quick claim
deed on their home at 202 Greenview Terrace Macon Ga
31220 in Barrington Hall Subdivision in North Macon. My
mother birthed 2 children. Myself and my younger brother
Corey Toye. However, she has raised many children in every
community she has ever lived in whether it was during her 20
years as a US Army soldier, or as a Middle School Teacher
from Washington State to Macon Georgia. My brother and I
desperately need closure. Her family needs closure, Students
she’s mentored need closure, her grandchildren, her siblings,
her friends and extended family NEEDS closure. And Bibb
County District Attorney’s office is doing NOTHING. In this
time that I have been here trying to see this through, Edward
has had access to my mothers estate, even after he was
ordered by a judge NOT to attempt to use, distribute, or
access anything that is or could be part of her estate during
the process of the conviction. So how is it that he was able to
bond out with such a large cash bond and even after being
denied bail the first time because the DA that was over the
case in 2019 at the time deemed him a flight risk? I’m not
from here, I have no family here and no support. Not even
through the Victims Compensation Program that is supposed
to help people in my situation. Furthermore to be honest, the
city of Macon is sucking the life out of me, my children and my
mothers loved one’s. I can’t even Begin to put my family back
together until justice has been served. But, is there any
Justice being served?
To the reader: I will be using names; with positions in their
community organizations and/or enforcement positions,
places, relationships (personal and non) to expose the lack of
efficiency, priority and due diligence that is LARGELY being
neglected in this Community.
Ebonie Toye