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GBI report on Boynton investigation leaves some questions unanswered

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

After thoroughly reviewing the GBI investigative case file on the April 15 Boynton incident, The GRIP conducted interviews with officials of the Griffin Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in an effort to clarify apparent inconsistencies.

Following the April 15 incident, Griffin Police Department Officer Matthew Boynton, with the assistance of Promise Place, in May obtained a temporary protective order against his wife, Jessica Boynton.

Seeking to extend that temporary protective order against his wife, Matthew Boynton on June 10 testified under oath before Judge Tommy Hankinson in Spalding County Superior Court. His sworn testimony gave the first public insight into his description of the sequence of events on April 15.

He first explained that he received a text message from his wife threatening suicide when he was on Poplar Street directly behind the Christian Women’s Center (Thrift Store). Asked by his attorney if he took that message seriously, Boynton replied, “I did.”

Matthew Boynton stated he turned into the shopping center, drove along the Christian Women’s Center (Thrift Store), turned onto Highway 16, turned left on Carver Road and continued on to the couple’s Ashford Place apartment.

He also testified that he contacted Spalding E911 dispatch and requested a response to their apartment.

“Okay. And can you tell the court what you discovered when you arrived at the residence?” Owen asked.

According to the official Spalding County Superior Court transcript, Matthew Boynton responded, “As I was actually – approximately halfway up the stairs, I heard one of my children whine once, like a waah (phonetic). I hear two shots. I duck and run to the door. As I advised the GBI, I could not recall if the door was unlocked, or if I had locked it.

I run inside to the first left, which is known as our master bedroom. I checked for my – my youngest child, Tyler Boynton, for the last known place I seen him. I did not see him in the bed where he would normally be. I did not see him in the floor where he would be playing.

Upon exiting the room, just before the exit from the master bedroom, to the left is a closet where we both share clothes. I – I checked the handle. The handle is locked; from my understanding, can only be locked from the inside.

Ran to the kitchen, grabbed my radio where I normally keep my – my work-issued radio. I turned it on as I was running outside. Once I got out the door – or got out of the door, I notified 3015, which is Lt. Curtis Keys of the Griffin Police Department, there were two shots fired and I smelled gunpowder. I was not sure of the well-being of my children, due to a non-response of me calling her name in the apartment.”

Owen then asked, “Okay. And were you able to confirm the children were okay before law enforcement arrived?”
Matthew Boynton responded, “I – with the closet door being locked, I was not sure – I mean, I figured she was in the closet, but I didn’t know for certain whether or not she could be at the other end of the apartment.

For my safety, I did not – you know, with also my service weapon inside the home, I did not want to further go into the other bedrooms and bathroom, and also what is the living room. I ran straight for the kitchen, got the portable hand-held radio and then went outside and notified the – the supervisor.”

Upon cross examination by Bree Lowry, Jessica Boynton’s attorney, Matthew Boynton was asked specifically about his children’s well being on April 15.

Lowry’s question – And you say you’re concerned about the safety of your children?

Matthew Boynton’s answer – Yes.

Question – And you’re a police officer?

Answer – Yes.

Question – You waited outside of your apartment for patrol cars to arrive?

Answer – Yeah. Because my service weapon is inside with somebody who’s already fired two shots , not knowing if they’re at me or my kids – with a crying baby, so I would say that I was concerned for – for pretty much everybody inside the apartment.

Question – You stayed outside, even though you knew your wife and kids were inside the apartment?

Answer – At this point in time, I didn’t know whether or not she shot herself and the kids or what the case was.

Included in the GBI case file is an extraction report that in part detailed that night’s activities on Matthew Boynton’s phone. During a seven minute window – beginning at 12:54:30 a.m. when he received his wife’s text message through 01:01:30 – numerous phone calls and text messages were made involving Matthew Boynton, Jessica Boynton, GPD Officer Joshua Guthrie and Cortney Calloway, a Spalding E911 dispatcher with whom Matthew Boynton acknowledged he was having an intimate relationship. According to his GBI interview, Matthew Boynton was distraught during this period of time, at one point reaching a speed of 90 miles per hour on Carver Road as he was en route back to his apartment.

The following quotes and information on times and the length of phone calls was copied verbatim from that GBI extraction report.

12:54:30 a.m. – Received text message from Jessica Boynton:

“I can’t do this anymore. Take care of Tollin and Tyler. Please tell them I love them everyday. I have been suffering for a while now and no one has noticed. Here lately I have not been able to recognize the person I see in the mirror. This is not the first time I have had suicide thoughts. I love you and the boys.”

12:55:02 a.m. – Received text message from Cortney Calloway:

“Hahaha you about have me a heart attack freak!!!”

12:55:02 a.m. Matthew Boynton called Jessica Boynton. The call was unanswered.

12:52:42 a.m. Matthew Boynton sent text message to Cortney Calloway:

“Haha I’m sorry I didn’t think about that lol”

12:55:53 a.m. Matthew Boynton called Joshua Guthrie. The call was unanswered.

12:56:50 a.m. Matthew Boynton called the non-emergency dispatch number at Spalding E911. The call lasted one minute and 27 seconds.

12:57:57 a.m. Received text message from Cortney Calloway:

“Yeah yeah…”

12:58:33 a.m. Matthew Boynton called Joshua Guthrie. The call lasted 37 seconds.

12:59:56 a.m. Joshua Guthrie called Matthew Boynton. The call lasted 10 seconds.

01:00:00 a.m. Matthew Boynton sent a text message to Cortney Calloway:

“Give me a few. To text back long story I’ll tell you later”

01:01:06 a.m. Matthew Boynton calls out on his work-issued radio and his first radio communication is documented by the dispatcher in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) history:

01:01:30 a.m. Received a text message from Cortney Calloway:

“Okay……….goodnight.” (According to the GBI extraction report, this last text message from Cortney Calloway was read.)

Based on his sworn June 10 testimony as well as statements made to GBI ASAC Chris DeMarco during an April 15 investigative interview regarding this incident, Matthew Boynton has on multiple occasions stated he did not check on his children, but rather retrieved his work-issued radio from the kitchen and immediately left the apartment, reporting having heard the shots fired only after he was outside. He has also stated once he left the apartment, he remained outside and did not re-enter.

The GRIP then evaluated the activities on Matthew Boynton’s cell phone and noted that one text message sent to Cortney Calloway – “Give me a few. To text back long story I’ll tell you later” – was sent at 01:00:00, which was after the Spalding E911 CAD report indicates Matthew Boynton said he heard the two shots fired and entered the apartment. Furthermore, Cortney Calloway’s reply text message – “Okay………goodnight.” – was received at 01:01:30, and the extraction report indicated it was read.

In addition, the 12:59:56 phone call Matthew Boynton received from Guthrie appears to have also taken place after he would have heard the two shots fired and entered the apartment.

In his April 15 interview with GBI SA Daniella Stuart, Guthrie made no mention of Matthew Boynton having said anything regarding shots having been fired.

The only reference to that specific phone call in the GBI summary of Guthrie’s interview states, “At approximately 12:59 a.m., while Officer Guthrie was on the way to assist, he called Officer Boynton because he could not remember the exact address. Officer Boynton answered and confirmed the street name.”

Upon further review of the GBI case file, The GRIP also noted a photograph entered as evidence by Special Agent Jeremy Dockin, a crime scene investigator, that shows Matthew Boynton’s phone laying on the kitchen counter in front of the microwave, the location from which his work-issued radio was retrieved.

The GRIP then interviewed GPD Chief Mike Yates about these discrepancies.

Initially, Yates alleged the phone recovered from the kitchen counter belonged to Jessica Boynton.

After being shown the GBI evidence report identifying that phone as belonging to Matthew Boynton, he was asked if this information indicates inconsistencies in Matthew Boynton’s statements regarding his actions inside his apartment, and if it calls into question his state of mind that night.

Chief said, “The GBI doesn’t seem to think that.”

Soon after, Yates said he would respond to questions emailed to him. However, upon receipt of The GRIP’s follow up questions, he referred all further inquiries to the GBI.

When The GRIP contacted GBI Region 2 Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris DeMarco and presented this information, and noted Matthew Boynton’s cell phone had been left laying on the kitchen counter in front of the microwave, DeMarco responded, “No, it wasn’t. It was actually from him. We put it (his cell phone) on the kitchen counter to take a picture of it.”

The GRIP responded by stating there was no documentation of that, and instead, the GBI evidence report signed by Dockin and a sworn affidavit for a warrant to search the couple’s cell phones that was later submitted to Muskegee County Superior Court by SA Jared Coleman – the case’s lead agent – indicated Matthew Boynton’s cell phone was seized from the kitchen counter.

“No, I don’t think that’s, I don’t think that’s, I don’t think that’s right. I think he had his phone with him. I think the picture of the phone…I’d have to look at the stuff. I’d have to look back at the case file,” DeMarco responded.

He later stated, “You’re trying to match up times of where he is getting these text messages or how he’s responding to them, that he’s in the kitchen – you can’t prove that.”

When asked how else Matthew Boynton’s cell phone could have been left in the kitchen after being in use during the same time frame he testified he was outside the apartment, DeMarco said, “I mean, I don’t know. It could have been simply that he left his stuff there. That his phone was given to someone else at the Griffin PD, they put the phone in the thing because they knew the GBI wanted it and that’s where we were gonna be while he was taken to the Police Department. I mean, I’m sure there’s a plausible explanation to it without trying to come up with some sort of, you know, theory that oh, he had to be in the kitchen answering these text messages. Right? Couldn’t that be plausible? Like someone from his supervisor, who’s Lt. Keys, or someone like that saying hey, leave all your stuff here because the GBI’s gonna want it, there in the apartment?”

It was pointed out that there is no documentation in the GBI report of anyone outside the GBI having physical possession of Matthew Boynton’s cell phone. DeMarco again stated he would need to review the case file regarding these specific points, and he requested that The GRIP submit further questions in writing via email.

In part, The GRIP’s later email stated that upon review of evidence contained within the case file, Matthew Boynton’s cell phone was visible in former GPD Cpl. Bryan Jones’ body worn camera video recording from April 15, and that it was laying on the kitchen counter upon officers’ initial entry to clear the apartment, which would indicate it had not been taken by a supervisor and placed there later.

DeMarco responded by stating all further questions should be directed to the GBI Public Information Officer, Scott Dutton.

For more than a week’s time, The GRIP made numerous attempts to contact Dutton by phone and email, but received no response.

Publisher’s note: This is the first in a series of articles detailing the GBI’s investigation of this incident, as well as other related matters.


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GBI completes Boynton investigation requested by GPD

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has completed its investigation into the April 15 incident in which Jessica Boynton, the wife of Griffin Police Department (GPD) Officer Matthew Boynton, allegedly attempted to commit suicide using her husband’s duty weapon.

GPD Chief Mike Yates immediately requested the GBI investigation, and agents arrived at the Boynton’s apartment – the location of the incident – at approximately 3 a.m., and received a briefing.

The GBI case file summary notes that present for the briefing were Yates, Capt. Donald Britt, Lt. Darrell Dix and Lt. Curtis Keys, all of the GPD, GBI Special Agent in Charge Chris DeMarco and Spalding County Sheriff Wendell Beam.

Yates reported that Matthew Boynton had been en route to the Waffle House at approximately 1 a.m., where he was to meet fellow GPD Officer Joshua Guthrie, when he received a text message suicide threat from his wife, Jessica. Matthew Boynton reportedly turned around and returned to the family’s 53 Ashford Place residence. Upon his arrival, he stated he heard two shots fired from inside their apartment. Matthew Boynton entered the apartment and after going into the master bedroom, he went to the kitchen, retrieved his police radio, exited the apartment where he called out for assistance.

“Shortly thereafter, Griffin police officers began arriving and cleared the apartment for officer safety. Griffin police officers also discovered the master bedroom closet door locked and forced their way into the closet where they discovered Jessica Boynton laying on the floor with an apparent gunshot wound to her head,” the report read.

GPD officers then removed Jessica Boynton from the closet and rendered first aid pending the arrival of personnel from Spalding Regional Hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Griffin Fire-Rescue and the Spalding County Fire Department.

Jessica Boynton was later transported by ambulance to the SCFD headquarters on Carver Road. From there, she was transported in critical condition by air ambulance to the Atlanta Medical Center Trauma Unit.

DeMarco was informed that the Boyntons’ two children were uninjured in the incident and were in the custody of Matthew Boynton’s parents, and that Matthew Boynton is the grandson of Spalding County Sheriff Wendell Beam.

Yates concluded his briefing by informing the GBI that Matthew Boynton and Guthrie remained at the scene to be interviewed by the GBI; the first responding officers body worn camera (BWC) recordings were being downloaded and would be provided to investigating agents; and the scene had been secured pending examination by the GBI.

For approximately one month, Jessica Boynton remained hospitalized in Atlanta Medical Center. She was then discharged home.

After being denied information pursuant to an Open Records request, The GRIP was June 13 informed that the GBI had “verbally cleared” Matthew Boynton to return to work in early June, but that the “investigative document” had not been completed, nor had any evidence related to the investigation been released.

“I last spoke to the agent handling the case approximately two weeks ago. I am anticipating the final document hopefully this week. Once completed and closed, I will be more than happy to provide you with any information, within law, that you request,” Dix stated, later adding, “Again, I expect to be contacted by the GBI with their final product any day.”

However, the GBI did not complete the final investigative acts until months later – Aug. 30 – and the completed case file was then turned over to local officials for review.

Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard on Sept. 2, released his official determination in a letter addressed to Special Agent in Charge Fred Wimberly, who heads the GBI Region 2 Office that conducted the Boynton investigation.

In his letter, Ballard wrote, “Thank you for your very thorough investigation into the circumstances of the April 15, 2016, shooting of Jessica Lester Boynton in Spalding County. We have reviewed your findings and concluded that there is not sufficient evidence to support any criminal proceeding and we are closing our file.”

GBI Director Vernan Keenon also issued a statement in the form of a letter written to Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith. It stated, “The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has completed its investigation into the shooting of Jessica Lester Boynton. It is the finding of this agency that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. The GBI will take no further action in this matter.”


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Spalding County Sheriff Wendell Beam behind false death notification in Jessica Boynton incident

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Through a series of Open Records requests, The GRIP has learned that Spalding County Sheriff Wendell Beam is responsible for the false death notification made to the elderly grandparents of Jessica Boynton. The notification was made following an April 15, 2016, shooting incident – ruled by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to be a suicide attempt – at the home of Jessica Boynton and her now-estranged husband, Griffin Police Department Officer Matthew Boynton. Matthew Boynton is the grandson of Sheriff Beam.
Jessica Boynton was initially treated at the scene by personnel of Spalding Regional Hospital Emergency Medical Services. When the determination was made to fly her to an Atlanta hospital with a trauma unit, she was transported by ambulance to the Spalding County Fire Department Headquarters located on Carver Road, less that a quarter-mile from the family’s apartment. From there, she was flown to Atlanta Medical Center. Spalding County E911 records indicate the LifeFlight unit took off at 1:52 a.m.
Beam’s cell phone records show he placed a call to Pike County Sheriff Jimmy Thomas at 1:58 a.m., only six minutes after Jessica Boynton’s flight left the ground, after which there was no further communication between the flight crew and Spalding County officials.
An Open Records request submitted to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office establishes that Beam’s call was made to request a death notification be made to Jessica Boynton’s grandparents, who raised her from a very young age.
A report later filed by Sgt. Garland Keller, of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, he and Deputy Brooks made that notification.
Keller stated that he received a phone call from Sheriff Thomas who advised that he had been contacted by Beam.
“Sheriff Thomas advised that he received a phone call from Sheriff Beam in Spalding County stating that Mrs. Jessica Boynton committed suicide and he wanted to see if a Pike County deputy could go to (the grandparents’ home address) and notify her grandfather, Mr. Phil Wise. Sheriff Beam also gave Sheriff Thomas his cell phone number for me to give to Mr. Wise so that he could contact him (Beam),” Keller reported.
According to the report, Keller and Brooks went to the Wise residence, reported the information they had received and advised Jessica Boynton’s grandfather to call Beam for additional information.
“Mr. Wise contacted Sheriff Beam via telephone, who informed him that Mrs. Boynton had committed suicide using her husband’s duty weapon,” Keller reported.
It was hours later before the Pike County Sheriff’s Office learned Jessica Boynton was no deceased.
“At approximately 05:33, I received a phone call from Kody Billings, who is a family member of Mrs. Boynton, who advised me that Mrs. Boynton was not deceased, that she was in Atlanta Medical Center,” Keller said.
The GRIP conducted an interview with Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates, who confirmed the GPD was the responding agency.
“We conducted no investigative activities whatsoever except securing the crime scene until the GBI arrived,” Yates said of GPD personnel.
He later reiterated it was a Police Department case “until such time that we decided to turn it over to the GBI, which we did pretty much immediately, so technically, it was a GBI case.”
Yates also confirmed that at no time did personnel of the GPD make a declaration that Jessica Boynton was deceased.
“We knew her injuries were serious. The anticipation is that we did not expect her to survive,” Yates said. “She had already been life-flighted, and there was no indication she was deceased.”
Although Beam did request the Pike County Sheriff’s Office make a death notification to Jessica Boynton’s grandparents, The GRIP confirmed through a separate Open Records request that he did not report the death to Spalding County Coroner Sonny Foster as Georgia law requires.
The GRIP did reach out to Sheriff Beam regarding this incident. He did not respond to the request for comment.


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SHS student struck by vehicle in school parking lot

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The GRIP has confirmed a Spalding High School student has been struck by a vehicle on school property.

A law enforcement source stated the driver who struck the student had reportedly been blinded by sunlight.

The male student was transported to an area hospital.

The GRIP will continue to follow this story and report updates as additional information becomes available.


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Five Loaves & Two Fish Food Pantry needs frozen turkeys for Thanksgiving meals

ELAINE KRUGMAN :::

Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry provides groceries for families in need, but they are requesting your help, especially before Thanksgiving, when the demand is the greatest. Wouldn’t it be comforting to know when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner that other families in your community would be able to do the same, and have a happy Thanksgiving? Please help make this happen by donating a frozen turkey or making a monetary donation, so the Food Pantry can provide those in need with groceries this Thanksgiving.

Frozen turkeys (must be frozen) need to be delivered to Five Loaves & Two Fish Food Pantry from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18. They are located in downtown Griffin in the same building (at the rear) as Hope Health Clinic at Solomon and 10th streets, at 412 W. Slaton Avenue.

Donations (checks please, no cash) are also welcome and can be mailed or delivered to the same address. For additional information, please call 678.603.1238.

 


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ALERT: Western Spalding County fire jumps Shoal Creek; is now approaching homes

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A large fire burning in the western portion of Spalding County has now jumped Shoal Creek and is approaching a residential area.

According to Spalding County Assistant County Manager Eric Mosley, personnel of the Spalding County Fire Department and the Georgia Forestry Commission are actively working to extinguish the fire.

“What’s going on at this point is they (the Spalding County Fire Department) had the fire pretty well hemmed in along Shoal Creek, and with the sustained winds, the fire actually has jumped the creek,” Mosley said. “There’s a golf course community off of W. Ellis, The Cedars, and it’s in the wood line behind that neighborhood. We do have multiple engines there waiting on the other side. They’re currently working as structure protection for those homes. Again, it’s quite a way off from the homes. There is a Georgia Forest Commission tractor on the scene and a second is on its way to help out.”

There is currently no estimate on the number of acres involved.

Officials say this fire originated with a hay baler, and foul play is not suspected at this time.

Due to the continuing drought, wind and unusually low humidity levels, Spalding County officials are imploring residents to refrain from all outdoor burning.

The GRIP will update report updates as additional information becomes available.


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Griffin PD Officer Matthew Boynton subject of falsified criminal allegation

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

From information obtained through Open Records requests, The GRIP has learned that Courtney Callaway was terminated from her employment with Spalding E911 after filing what was determined to be a false criminal allegation against her former boyfriend, Griffin Police Department Officer Matthew Boynton.

A formal complaint alleging of terroristic threats, stalking and harassing communications was made to the Griffin Police Department on Monday, July 18, when Lt. Karen Yancy Sgt. Kelly McKinney met with Callaway at the 911 Center. Additional information was provided during a second interview conducted at the Police Department July 19.

According to Callaway’s interviews, the threats, stalking and harassment began after she ended the couple’s relationship shortly after the April 15 incident in which Matthew Boynton’s wife, Jessica, sustained what the GBI has ruled a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jessica Boynton disputes the GBI findings.

“It just scared me. I didn’t want to be involved in anything like that,” Callaway told investigators of her reason for ending her relationship with Matthew Boynton.

She said she first spoke of the matter with a co-worker because she was nervous.

“He’s acting crazy,” she said, before describing him as “losing his mind.”

She complained that Jessica Boynton and at least one of her relatives had attempted to “friend” her on Facebook, and that Jessica Boynton’s attorney had also tried to make contact with her in recent days.

“I don’t want to feel like I’m being intimidated because he’s a police officer,” Callaway said. “I just wanna be left alone. It scares me. It really does.”

She later added that all the inappropriate messages had been sent on Facebook, and that it had been unexpected.

“For him to sit and say ugly stuff is not like him,” she said. “As far as cussing me and stuff, he never did.”

Callaway said she was aware of Matthew Boynton having only one Facebook page, and that as a result of his harassment, she had blocked him.

Prior to the harassment beginning, she said she had blocked his cell phone number to avoid any further contact after their breakup.

When asked if she was certain it was Matthew Boynton she had recently seen in her apartment complex, Callaway responded, “Could I bet my life on it? No, but was it his kind of vehicle? Yes.”

She said at that time, she wanted only to be left alone to focus on her children and her job.

At the conclusion of the second interview, investigators informed Callaway it would be necessary to examine her cell phone as part of the investigation. She reluctantly turned it over to Yancy and McKinney, and was provided with a cell phone used by investigators until hers was returned.

After being read his Miranda warning, Matthew Boynton on July 18 provided a different version of events surrounding the breakup, claiming he had ended their relationship due to Callaway’s behavior.

“She got very clingy towards the end. She just kept pouring her heart out. She was like, ‘I love you,’ and all these things, and shortly after that, I cut it off,” he said. “It was bad. It was to the point she was showing up at my apartment. She was kind of crazy.”

When interviewed, he told Yancy and McKinney he did not recall using Facebook Messenger to communicate with Callaway after he ended their relationship.

Matthew Boynton flatly denied having sent any of the offensive messages, and also stated he had not stalked his former girlfriend.

“I would never talk to anybody like that, no matter how bad they treated me,” he said as he went on to describe an email he had received that day alleging a relative of his estranged wife had treated a court reporter badly. “I’m smarter than that. I’m not a stalker. I was raised better than that.”

Matthew Boynton went on to repeatedly tell investigators he suspected his wife, Jessica, was responsible for the criminal actions cited in Callaway’s complaint. He said her motive would be the fact that he had custody of their children and she was granted only four hours of weekly supervised visitation.

He then elaborated by alleging his wife’s physical and emotional abuse towards him and the children was the basis for their divorce.

Following his interview, Matthew Boynton – who was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation – was relieved of his badge, weapon, patrol unit and other equipment, and driven home.

Yancy then obtained a search warrant for the police officer’s residence and vehicle that resulted in the seizure of three cell phones and a Kindle tablet.

The following day, Callaway requested to meet again with investigators. During this meeting, she acknowledged she had fabricated the allegations against Matthew Boynton.

“Basically, I lied about it. I sent the messages to myself,” she said.

She admitted she had used an old Facebook account of her own.

“It was mine under my name, and I just changed it,” she explained.

She said her motive for filing the false criminal complaint against her former boyfriend was anger.

“I was just upset. I was mad. I was upset. It was stupid,” she said, later adding, “It’s just a long, drawn out thing. He come into my kids’ life and my life. He was trying to get them to call him daddy. He signed (her son) up for football – or he talked me into it – and then just disappeared, and he said he couldn’t be with me because I slept with a black guy and had a baby. He didn’t say it nice. It just pissed me off.”

She also bemoaned the fact that she felt taken advantage of by someone roughly seven years her junior. She was at the time 27 while Matthew Boynton was 20.

“I don’t know if it was his intent, but I felt used,” she said, before describing her feelings in greater detail. “My son has a lot of issues since his daddy died. For him (Matthew Boynton) to come in and just build everything up and then just say the things he said, it pissed me off. I was so mad and hurt, but that doesn’t give me the right to do what I did, and I know that.”

McKinney asked Callaway if Matthew Boynton had asked her to lie in any investigation, and she said he had not.

Yancy asked why she had chosen to come forward then, to which Callaway said, “Because y’all were gonna find out anyway.”

She then said her behavior was not typical for her.

“It’s not me. I’m not just a bad person or a blatant liar. I don’t know what’s wrong,” Callaway said.

Callaway was later informed the case was closed and that she would not be prosecuted, as Matthew Boynton elected not to press criminal charges against her.


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Responses to questions in Boynton investigation become heated

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The September release of the GBI case file on its Jessica Boynton investigation raised questions as multiple inconsistencies were revealed. Efforts to obtain answers to those questions have been stymied by the refusal to respond to questions about those inconsistencies.

The GRIP first interviewed Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates in his office on Sept. 28. During the course of that interview, discrepancies were shown to Yates, who responded defensively in favor of Officer Matthew Boynton, Jessica Boynton’s estranged husband.

“How is that relevant as to whether or not he assaulted his wife?” Yates asked before adding, “My concern is whether or not he inflicted injury on his estranged wife, and the evidence clearly shows he did not.”

Yates also referenced the “alleged inconsistencies” by stating, “False statements? The GBI doesn’t seem to think so.”

In response to other questions presented by The GRIP – including time discrepancies and questions pertaining to the position of Jessica Boynton’s body when she was located in the master bedroom closet – Yates said, “You need to check your facts.”

He specifically referred to the victim’s physical position in that closet when stating, “That gives me great assurance that Matthew Boynton did not do this.”
However, the position Yates referenced was incorrect, with Jessica Boynton being located approximately 90 degrees to the left of his alleged position.

Following this interview, The GRIP did review significant portions of the GBI’s Boynton case file, verifying the inconsistencies presented to Yates on Sept. 28, and subsequently attempted to see Yates for another interview. When that effort failed, Yates was on Sept. 29 emailed with a request for a second interview.

Yates responded that same date, stating, “Send me your two questions via e-mail and I will answer them when I have the file to reference in front of me.”

The GRIP emailed questions – more than two – on Sept. 29, and received a reply from Yates Sept. 30.

“The Griffin Police Department, at my request, asked for a thorough and complete independent investigation into this matter by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to insure thoroughness and impartiality. We received that service, in full, with multiple layers of review up to and including the Director of the GBI, the GBI Medical Examiner and various other EXPERTS,” Yates wrote. “I gave you my brief opinion on various aspects of the case based on memory and what I observed (informally). If you have further questions or concerns you should direct them to the State entity that actually conducted the investigation (GBI), not GPD or myself as this is precise the reason we asked for this independent investigation in the first place. I (we) take the results offered by the GBI seriously in the context of the ENTIRE investigation and thusly, along with the Director of the GBI and the District Attorney, accept the conclusion of the investigation as delivered in the investigative summary provided by the GBI. (sic all)”

The GRIP contacted the GBI on Sept. 30, and conducted a telephone interview with Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris DeMarco, of the Region 2 Office.

That interview began with questions focusing on inconsistencies with the time line in the April 15 shooting incident of Jessica Boynton, which the GBI has now announced was an attempted suicide. Jessica Boynton disputes that finding.

After nearly 25 minutes, DeMarco suddenly changed the subject and began to question Sheila Mathews, publisher of The GRIP, about her professional work method.

DeMarco – And I want to ask you something else. Are you recording any of this?

Mathews – Am I recording this? Yes, sir, for an article, yes. Just to make sure I get quotes proper.

DeMarco – Well, listen, if you’re going to start recording these things, you need to let me know ahead of time before you do, before I start answering questions.

Mathews – Okay. Okay, I will definitely… (interrupted by DeMarco)

DeMarco – I mean, that’s the way we’re gonna play this game, Sheila. If that’s what you want to do, If you’re gonna start recording me and start quoting me, you’d better let me know ahead of time or we’re gonna have a problem.

Mathews – Okay, I wasn’t doing. Okay, I made it clear that I was calling and asking questions…(interrupted by DeMarco)

DeMarco – You did not make it clear you were recording this conversation, Sheila.

Mathews – The only reason I’m recording is for accuracy.

DeMarco did later apologize if he “sounded ugly or whatever.”

However, while transcribing the interview, Mathews noted the sudden and drastic change in the tone of the interview, and also noted the threat that if she did not comply with DeMarco’s demands pertaining to the manner in which she conducts interviews, they would “have a problem.”

Subsequent to that conversation, DeMarco first requested further questions be submitted via email. After responding to one request for information, DeMarco refused to answer further questions and referred The GRIP to the GBI Public Information Officer (PIO).

After numerous attempts to make contact with the PIO, the GBI’s Nelly Miles did respond.

The GRIP’s interview with DeMarco was detailed, including the threat “…or we’re gonna have a problem.”

“I will definitely discuss that with him. My understanding was the he was attempting to essentially answer the questions that you had that were follow up questions,” Miles said, apparently already aware the interview had taken place. “Just from my mental experience working in public affairs, I know sometimes when I’m speaking with reporters, there will be times where it’s a conversation just for background information, there will be conversations that are to be recorded. It just varies depending on the need, but yeah, I’ll definitely talk to him about that because the GBI, we work to be extremely transparent.”

Mathews responded that yes, the interview initially flowed as numerous others with DeMarco had in the past, until he became agitated about the recording, which The GRIP maintains is not only legal, but an industry standard in print journalism.

“I would like some clarity – what he meant by that,” Mathews stated.

Miles followed up to that request the next day.

“Essentially, Agent DeMarco, he was attempting to assist you with your questions that you had regarding the case. He had, of course, done that in the past, and in this instance, he was trying to assist you, so, I mean, if there are any concerns on your end about the way that he treated you, and if you have a complaint, my suggestion would be that you make a formal complaint with our Office of Professional Standards,” she said.

“So, basically, my request for just clarification of what he meant by what he said, there is no clarification if I’m understanding what you’re saying,” Mathews responded.

“Well, what I’m saying is that from discussing with him, discussing with him his questions and the questions that you had and the conversation, what I’m saying is that he was attempting to assist you. So, in terms of clarification, he apologized during the conversation – as you had indicated – so, during the entire course of the conversation, he was attempting to assist you with the questions that you had,” Miles stated, later adding, “That was the whole basis behind the conversation. You had questions. He was trying to assist you.”

When asked for clarification if he was attempting to assist when he made statements completely unrelated to the subject of the interview, Miles said, “And that’s why I say – I’m telling you – his goal, what he was trying to do, is he was trying to assist you, so, if that is what happened and your perspective is that he was agitated and he made these statements that were unrelated, then my suggestion to you is to file a complaint. That way, internally, it can actually be dealt with. Outside of that, I honestly don’t have anything to add to that. I know this is what he was attempting to do, and from your perspective, if that’s not what you got out of it, then that’s the way that we would handle it. That’s the way we handle it here is to go ahead and address the complaint through an Internal Affairs investigation.”

Mathews responded by saying, “Okay. If that’s necessary. I would personally rather just, you know, handle it by trying to get clarification by what was meant by a certain statement, but if it needs to be a formal complaint, that can certainly be done. It seems unfortunate that it would be necessary, but if that’s your recommendation, I appreciate it.”

Miles concluded the conversation by saying, “I mean, yeah, that would be the recommendation because, at this point since I wasn’t a witness to the conversation and for me to go back and say what did you mean, and you all probably had a lengthy conversation. I’m unable to pick apart one part of it and speak for him…at this point, to go back and try to explain that particular part, the route that is recommended is to file a formal complaint with our Office of Professional Standards.”

The GRIP will this week be following Miles’ suggestion and contacting the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Office of Professional Standards.


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Spalding High student arrested for having loaded firearm at school

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A Spalding High School student was on Monday afternoon arrested for possessing a firearm on school grounds.

According to the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office incident report, 17-year-old Elisha Maurice Goggins was contacted by Deputy Richard Mangham and Assistant Principal Corenza Barnes regarding a complaint received Friday, Nov. 18, alleging Goggins was in a black SUV an in possession of a firearm.

“I asked Maurice (Goggins) if there was anything that happened in the parking lot after school Friday, Nov. 18, 2016. He said that nothing had happened that he knew of. He also said that he had wrecked his black vehicle during the school break,” Mangham reported.

After Goggins was allowed to return to class, Lindy Pruitt, the Spalding High School principal, requested the student be returned to the front office.

Mangham’s report states that Goggins was asked if he had driven a vehicle to school Monday. He allegedly affirmed he had driven his step-father’s Honda.

“I asked Maurice if there was anything in the vehicle. He replied, ‘Yes. I have a Glock .40 under the driver seat,’” Mangham reported.

Mangham wrote that he asked for consent for himself and Pruitt to search the vehicle, and Goggins allegedly consented.

“Maurice unlocked the door and stepped to the front of the vehicle. I located a black Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol, (serial number ******) with a flashlight and laser attached to it. The pistol was loaded with 13 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber of the pistol,” Mangham reported. “I made the pistol safe and placed it on the front seat of the vehicle so I could take photos for my report.”

Goggins was subsequently taken into custody on a single charge of possession of a firearm on school grounds and transported to the Spalding County Detention Center.

Publisher’s note: The GRIP has reached out to officials of the Griffin-Spalding County School System for clarification on reports that school officials informed parents of the incident, but allegedly stated the weapon was unloaded. Follow up reports will be posted as additional information becomes available.


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Police: Wells Fargo locked down following threat of violence

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SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

The Wells Fargo located at 1506 Georgia Highway 16 closed early Wednesday following a threat of violence.

According to a law enforcement source, a man described as the former significant other of a female Wells Fargo employee phoned in the threat, stating he intended to shoot up the bank.

According to one customer who was inside the business when the threat was received, Wells Fargo management cleared customers from inside the bank while allowing drive-thru business to continue.

An officer of the Griffin Police Department was dispatched to the bank in response to the threat and was seen inside speaking with management.

As of the official close of business hours, the threat had not been acted upon.


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Griffin Fire-Rescue’s Annual Toy Round-Up now underway

SUBMITTED :::

Griffin Fire-Rescue’s Annual Toy Round-Up has gotten off to a great start. Hundreds of toys have already been collected, however more toys are needed for the drive that ends Dec. 20.

The toys will be divided between the local Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS) and the Salvation Army, which will distribute the toys based on applications from needy families.

Drop off locations for toy donations are the three fire stations in the city, located at the corner of North Hill and Chappell streets (Station 1), at 401 North Expressway (Station 2), and at the corner of South Hill Street and Crescent West (Station 3).

Toys can be donated at these locations seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 pm.

Griffin Fire -Rescue is in need of toys for boys and girls of all ages, and all toys should be new and unwrapped and in their original package.

Firefighters will not accept toys that cannot be used by children without adult supervision, such as guns, darts and knives.

Those who wish to receive toys from the Toy Round-Up must register with the local Department of Family and Children or The Griffin-Spalding Salvation Army, as they will deliver the toys.

In accordance with the theme of the toy drive, “Children Giving to Children,” parents are encouraged to make their donation a family event by bringing a camera to create a lasting memory for their child.

Those who would rather donate money to the cause can do so by bring cash donations to Fire Station 2 at North Expressway. The entire donation will be used to purchase toys.

Businesses or organizations wanting to help Griffin Fire-Rescue with its effort, or that need any other information regarding the Toy Round- Up, can contact Capt. Mitchell Cardell or Fire Fighter Daniel Cowles at 770.229.6415.


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Will wonders never cease?

DR. BOB HAYDEN :::

First, to answer my question, I hope not. They have not yet.

I see “wonders” almost every day in my practice. A “wonder” for me is when someone gets well, or perhaps better, against the odds. Seeing this firsthand in a health care environment is like having a toy for which the “new” never wears off. Maybe it is like going to a concert in which every piece tugs at your soul in new and exciting ways. I can think of lots of good metaphors. Anyway, the wonders never cease for me at work.

I want to introduce you to Roger. He works hard for long hours every day doing construction. He has a very strong work ethic that will not allow him to slow down, much less stop, with a health problem that is not directly life-threatening. Part of that is probably due to some strong parenting when he was younger, but there is also a family to feed. He simply cannot stop working, particularly in a right-to-work state.

Roger presented to the clinic one day with pain in his left shoulder. A careful history of the problem revealed a gradual onset of this pain that worsened with driving or other use of his left arm. After a directed physical exam ruling out some very serious potential causes of left shoulder and arm pain, it became apparent that the source of his arm pain was in his neck.

When pain radiates from the neck into the arm, something is hitting a nerve somewhere. Arthritis will not do that, nor will muscle strain. This was probably emanating from a cervical nerve root where it exits the spine. The things that can cause that include disc bulges and bone spurs, both of which can be troublesome.

I was concerned with the radiating nature of this pain because there are some bad things that can do that. We needed the missing piece of the puzzle, imaging, to be sure that conservative care was most appropriate for this problem. Consequently, we requested an MRI via the imaging center next door. I like using that imaging center because they do the “heavy lifting” with the insurance companies, and they treat our patients like customers. The radiologists are skilled and personable (you do not always get both attributes in the same people). They do good work and they are reliable.

I saw the films before I got the report. The films looked disastrous. Roger had three bulging discs, with the worst one at the level where the nerve exits that goes to the left shoulder and upper arm (the smoking gun). There was tight compression in the cervical spine at that level, which is what we call “stenosis.” Of course, doctors do not use the word “tight” when we can use the word “stenosis” because the latter sounds far more impressive, but seriously, this looked ominous on film.

My 21 years in this field have taught me, among other things, that we cannot always make a prognosis based on imaging. There are people who look doomed on film who do quite well clinically. I have seen others whose films looked quite innocent, but the patients for whatever reason fail to thrive with conservative care.

I had a chat with Roger and went over the films with him. We discussed treatment options. First, if we do nothing, we would expect him to get worse and possibly lose function of the left arm. That was an unattractive option. Second, this could be treated pharmacologically. Unfortunately, there is not a pill on the planet that will fix this problem. It can only be covered and masked until it gets worse. The current opiate crisis is a testament to the utter failure of this approach. Third, we could go straight to a surgeon, but that would be wholly inappropriate without trying conservative care first. Additionally, there is the possibility of injury, disability or accidents with anesthesia.

The fourth option, and by far the most logical, was to try aggressive conservative care first and reassess within four weeks. We look for at least 50 percent improvement by subjective and objective criteria to know we are going in the right direction. In the event we do not get the improvement we seek, we consider referral or co-management with an appropriate resource. Sometimes that is a surgeon or a pain management specialist.

Another factor for Roger has already been discussed. He could not just stop working. We were going to have to accommodate his work schedule and treat this at every opportunity we could create. This meant late afternoon appointments so we could decompress him on the way home.

We began treating this problem using a decompression manipulation technique called flexion distraction. This is a painless (in fact, it feels pretty great) procedure that creates negative pressure inside the discs. This technique can effectively reduce a disc bulge. After about 20 minutes of flexion distraction, we augmented the treatment with about 10 minutes of ultrasound.

Ultrasound is, as the name implies, high-frequency sound that is focused on the soft tissue around the joint we are treating. Those sound waves cause water molecules inside body cells to vibrate at the frequency we control on the machine. As those water molecules vibrate, they generate friction, which produces heat. Using this modality, we can raise the temperature deep inside body tissues. Not only does this feel good, but it also causes the tissue that holds us together to stretch better. Tissue that moves better hurts less.

We also got a traction set for Roger to use at home. It is simply a bag of water that hangs on a door facing with a harness that holds the head. It is a good way to supplement the flexion distraction that we do in the clinic, and it is not addictive.

We also discussed Roger’s sleeping posture. I typically recommend that people sleep in a side lying posture hugging a body pillow. The head should be supported by a firm pillow that is just tall enough to keep the head level with the mattress so that the neck is supported and held straight during sleep.

For acute pain, we use something topical with menthol, camphor or both with an ice pack for about 20 minutes. The menthol and camphor intensify the cold sensation, and the combination does wonderful things for blocking pain signals.

And now, back to the wonders that do not cease. Roger is dramatically better. Looking at the MRI, one would not predict success with confidence, but here he is, dramatically clinically improved. He is standing erect and has full use of his left arm. The pain going through the shoulder has diminished to the point of occasional soreness. He is going to do just fine, and he never missed a day of work.

I am daily thankful for a profession that allows me to see wonders. I am further thankful for my faith that allows me to know the Source of all healing. With Him, wonders truly never cease.

For this and other columns by Dr. Bob Hayden, please visit http://www.iriscitychiro.com.

 


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Discipline your mind to destroy those thoughts not from God

DUSTY TAKLE – RELIGION COLUMNIST :::

I have moments where I worry just like you. I let my thoughts run wild. I don’t discipline them, and before I know it, I find myself awake in the middle of the night doing the exact opposite of what I tell other people to do. Anxiety fills me. Fear grips me. Stress takes over my physical and mental being. It’s an awful feeling. I long for morning, because I need a new day. A new grip on life. I need Kris to wake up and reassure me of what I need to reassure myself.

If we aren’t diligent in capturing every wild thought, we will allow fear to grip us. Whenever I find myself caving to worry or fear, I remind myself of this scripture:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5

DEMOLISH those thoughts that don’t come from Him. Take them captive. Interrogate them. Hold them captive, so they can’t hold you. Remind your soul of who God is.

Recall every time God proved Himself faithful to you. Recall every stone that has piled up in your life as a memorial to the goodness, the faithfulness and the mercy of God.

Remember every situation that looked impossible and how God grabbed you and said, “I am for you.”

Hold onto thoughts of His goodness. Hold onto His love that stretches wider and deeper and longer than anything we can imagine.

Hold onto THOSE thoughts. Hold them tightly.

We get to choose every single day what thoughts we are going to hold and what thoughts we are going to let go, and you can’t let go of a thought of worry and fear without replacing it with something good and something right.

Without replacing it, that same thought of fear will come fill that empty space, so replace it with something good – something you are thankful for – and hold it there.

Demolish those other thoughts. Take them captive. Strip them of their power, because the One inside you is greater. He is truth; He is good; and in Him, we have no fear.

I know what it feels like to be gripped by something that takes the wind out from under you, but I also know what it feels like to send those thoughts back to hell, and to rise up with a renewed confidence, a renewed mind and renewed passion for TRUTH.

His mercies are new every morning, and because of those mercies, our minds and thoughts can be new every single day.

The truth of His goodness is already within you. Sometimes our mind just has to catch up to what our spirit already knows.


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Woman reportedly followed home, badly beaten during robbery attempt

STAFF REPORT :::

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an alleged strong arm robbery at a Magnolia Drive residence that was reported Wednesday night.

According to the report filed by SCSO Deputy Nick Bruce, the victim, Shirley Newman, was assaulted and injured during the incident.

“Upon my arrival I met with Shirley Newman. She advised me that when she got out of her car to enter her residence, a black male approached her from behind demanding money. She advised me that she told him that she did not have any and he began hitting her,” Bruce stated.

Newman had a large amount of blood on her face and back of her head.

“She (Newman) advised me that when he struck her, she fell down and was not able to fight back,” he said.

The victim reported she had earlier left home to go shopping at Wal-Mart followed by Bowen’s Pharmacy where she noticed a man in a vehicle beside hers.

“She stated a small dark green car pulled in beside her. She advised the driver was a black male with a sock hat on. She stated that she retrieved her paper and went home. She believes this subject followed her home to assault her,” Bruce reported.

Newman was transported to the emergency room of Spalding Regional Hospital.

The victim reported nothing was stolen during the incident.


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David Gibson accuser subject of new SCSO IA case

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

Through an Open Records request, The GRIP has obtained the final report of a Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs investigation that resulted from a formal complaint involving numerous allegations of wrongdoing – including sexual harassment – filed against Deputy Jessica Kelley by Deputy Catherine Lewis. In turn, Kelley filed a complaint alleging numerous acts of wrongdoing against Lewis. Kelley was the original complainant in the 2015 Internal Affairs investigation and subsequent Georgia Bureau of Investigation case that resulted in numerous criminal charges against David Gibson, formerly the captain of the SCSO Uniform Patrol Division. Kelley also has a pending federal sexual harassment lawsuit against Gibson, Sheriff Wendell Beam, the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and Spalding County.

According to the investigator’s summary – written by Sgt. Vicki Massengale-Clift, who conducted the investigation – Lewis’ written complaint was submitted to Capt. Eidson, of the Uniform Patrol Division, on or about June 8, and cited “that Deputy Kelley was talking about her in the squad room and Lewis was upset about it.”
Massengale-Clift also noted Lewis complained about Kelley “talking about her sex life” and third party information.

Eidson, who was out of work when Lewis submitted her complaint, forwarded it to the Sheriff upon his return to work on June 17, and requested it be assigned for internal investigation.

Kelley’s subsequent complaint against Lewis cited “vulgar language, sexual discussions and striking Kelley with a thrown item,” Massengale-Clift noted.

The resulting investigation – which was closed Sept. 28 – included interviews with numerous Sheriff’s Office personnel. Statements made by multiple employees indicate that the climate of the Sheriff’s Office is tense and frequently involves inappropriate language and behavior.

In coming editions, The GRIP will delve further into the specifics of these deputy complaints, the investigation and its findings. The GRIP will also seek information from law enforcement officials regarding these most recent sexually-based offenses and complaints occurring among employees of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.

The GRIP will also seek clarification on how this may impact, if at all, the pending federal lawsuits that have been filed by four past or present SCSO employees and one civilian, as well as the criminal charges that have been brought against David Gibson.

 


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Federal racial discrimination lawsuit against city of Griffin, City Manager Kenny Smith closed

SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::

A federal racial discrimination law suit filed Jan. 9, 2015, by Dwayne Jones and Terry Brock against the city of Griffin and Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith is under appeal after a summary judgment was issued after the court determined the plaintiffs “failed to establish a genuine issue of material fact on their discrimination claims” and closed the case.

The law suit, which followed the elimination of Brock’s and Jones’ position with the Griffin Police Department, read in part, “The suit pertains to the 2014 restructuring of the Griffin Police Department which resulted in the elimination of two positions – those of Maj. Terry Brock and Capt. Dwayne Jones, the plaintiffs in the case. The lawsuit, filed in US Federal Court in Georgia’s Northern District, states, 1. This race discrimination case arises from Defendants’ policy of using race, rather than the City’s published policy of seniority and classification, years of service, critical skill, and job performance, to select personnel for termination during a reduction in force. Defendants denied Brock and Jones, both Caucasian career law enforcement officers with commendable service records and exemplary qualifications, the opportunity to retain or be reassigned to employment positions for which they were more qualified than their African American counterparts who were retained or reassigned. 2. By terminating Plaintiffs because of their race, Defendants violated Plaintiffs’ right to be free of discrimination in the workplace. Plaintiffs Brock and Jones bring claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. (“Title VII”), the Equal Protection Clause, and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 for damages and injunctive relief.”

The case initially went before Court on Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard, whose Final Report and Recommendation was to grant the city of Griffin and Smith’s motion for summary judgment.

“To survive summary judgment, the plaintiff must ‘cast sufficient doubt on the defendant’s proffered nondiscriminatory reasons to permit a reasonable factfinder to conclude that the employer’s proffered ‘legitimate reasons were not what actually motivated its conduct,’” the judgment states. “For direct evidence, Plaintiffs point to a statement made by Smith that he could not pursue a proposal to lay off all four Griffin police captains because he could not ‘tote that [plan] politically in the [B]lack community.’”

That statement was attributed to Smith by Brock, who testified at his deposition that former Griffin PD Chief Frank Strickland told him Smith made the statement. It was on this basis the defense argued the statement was hearsay and inadmissible.

In his own deposition, Strickland denied Smith mentioned race, but rather indicated the proposed reorganization was not “politically feasible” and that he “couldn’t tote that politically.”

Smith also denied making that statement while also denying he was under any racially based political pressure.

Because the defendants alleged the statement was made in 2008 and the plaintiffs alleged it occurred in 2011, the court ultimately ruled the statement was “too far attenuated from the employment decision to be considered direct evidence.”

“In addition to the passage of time between the purported quote and the employment decision, Smith was not the only relevant decision-maker, since the commission had to approve his proposed reorganization plan,” Vineyard ruled.

In his deposition, Jones recounted a conversation with Strickland during which the former chief allegedly said Smith – as a result of pressure from city commissioners – was “getting into his butt” to hire more black officers.

When deposed, Strickland did not recall making that statement to Jones. Vineyard also noted that Jones testified the conversation in question concerned “having…greater diversity” in general “by stepping up our recruiting efforts to recruit more African American officers.”

The city of Griffin and Smith maintained that the decisions made during the restructuring process were not based on race.

“Defendant’s proffered reasons…stemmed from one, budgetary and financial concerns; two, a belief that the police department was top-heavy; three, a desire to make code enforcement activities a priority; four, the ineffectiveness of the 2008 departmental reorganization; and five, an effort to strengthen the police department’s reputation and working relationships by reassigning Strickland,” the judgment stated.

Vineyard ruling cited additional specific evidence in his determination the plaintiffs failed to establish a “convincing mosaic of circumstantial evidence of discrimination,” and “…that Plaintiffs have not created a genuine issue of material fact regarding direct evidence of discrimination.”

“Plaintiff’s circumstantial evidence regarding intent amounts to the following: One, alleged political pressure that Smith felt to hire and retain more black officers; two, the existence of a chart made by Neville that showed the race of the senior officer affected by the reorganization; and three, Smith’s failure to adhere to the personnel policy concerning layoffs,” the judgment details.

“All of the city commissioners who approved the reorganization plan have averred that they did not exert any pressure on Smith or anyone else to make personnel decisions based on race,” it states.

“Lastly, Plaintiffs argue that while the Commissioners might claim they didn’t have racial preferences, the relevant question is whether Smith believed that they did and acted on it. Plaintiffs have no direct evidence of this influence over Smith – and Smith denies it – and instead attempt to show instances where Smith failed to discipline black officers for dereliction of duty,” the ruling stated. “This evidence fails for multiple reasons. First, there is no evidence that racial animus was the motivating factor for Smith’s disciplinary decisions. Second, Plaintiffs have not demonstrated how these disciplinary decisions were related to the reorganizations undertaken in 2008 and 2013. Finally, there is no evidence linking any alleged deficiency in employee discipline to pressure exerted on Smith by the commissioner.”

Vineyard also addressed the spreadsheet created by city of Griffin Human Resources Director Miles Neville.

“The possession, by an employment decision-maker, of documents showing the race of the relevant employees can lead to an inference that race bore on the employment decision,” the document states. “However, Plaintiffs have failed to show how the chart prepared by Neville was connected to the choice of which employees would be affected by the reorganization. The chart in question shows the names, titles, gender, race, grade, age and service years of the officers whose positions would be affected by the reorganization…Neville asserts that he prepared the chart in order to keep track of possible grievances the employees affected by the reorganization could file – particularly any age discrimination claims – and that Smith did not ask him to prepare it. While Smith admits he did see the chart, he asserts he viewed it with the same purpose as Neville: evaluating whether any employees would be likely to file a claim arising from the reorganization. Plaintiffs have no direct evidence that the chart played a role in the employment decision.”

Brock and Jones are appealing the summary judgment.


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Operation Jail Storm nets contraband in Spalding County Detention Facility

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STAFF REPORT :::

According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, personnel from his office, the Griffin Police Department and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, Jan. 4, conducted a search of the Spalding County Detention Facility.

This joint exercise – named Operation Jail Storm – was conducted to locate and remove contraband inside the facility. The operation began at 9:30 a.m. and concluded at 3 p.m.

The following items were located during the search:

Five homemade weapons, spray bottles with chemicals, metal panels and covers, wires, broken light fixtures, medical cups with lids, trash bags, rubber gloves, plastic bottles, various forms of jewelry, chipped glass, wood chips, printer toner, home made pictures, cigarette lighters, a broken chair, 35 pills, safety pins, fingernail clippers, bleach, paperclips, broken bins, broken cable box, broken glasses, cups, metal parts of the intercom, various forms of non-issued clothing and linens and a homemade cooler filled with urine.

“Contraband searches are important to the security of the facility because inmates will take normal items issued to them and make weapons to attack deputies and other inmates. The removal of this contraband greatly reduces risk of injuries in the facility,” stated Jail administrator, Capt. Robert Sowell, who added, “This search gives us a baseline as far as the amount of contraband in the facility and lets the inmates know what behaviors will not be tolerated while they are incarcerated.”

The success of this operation can be attributed to the joint effort of all three departments working together. Dix would like to thank Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill, the staff of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Mike Yates and his staff at the Griffin Police Department for their assistance in this important operation.


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Elderly Griffin man killed in Thursday morning wreck

STAFF REPORT :::

According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, at 8:57 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, deputies with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office along with the Griffin Post of the Georgia State Patrol responded to a report of a traffic crash involving a tractor-trailer and pickup truck at the North Expressway and Birdie Road.

Spalding County Deputy John Attaway was on a traffic stop in the area and witnessed the collision.

A tractor trailer was traveling northbound on the North Expressway and collided with a pickup truck traveling east bound on Birdie Road.

Spalding County Coroner Sonny Foster determined that the driver of the pickup was deceased at the scene.

After the notification of family, the driver of the pickup truck has been identified as 72-year-old William Chandler of a Hardy Road address in Griffin.

A female passenger in the pickup truck was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center where her

condition is unknown at this time.

The driver of the tractor trailer was identified as Romo Nicolasa, of Los Angeles.

The traffic crash is being investigated by members of the Griffin Post of the Georgia State

Patrol.


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Griffin Fire-Rescue issues Emergency Action Plan for Winter Storm Helena

STAFF REPORTS :::

Officials of Griffin Fire-Rescue have issued a press release in advance of the predicted winter storm warning that includes Griffin-Spalding County.

The National Weather Service on 2:36 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, issued a winter storm warning for the Griffin area. Predicted precipitation calls for an estimated two to four inches of snow and freezing temperatures. Estimated winds are 10 to 15 mph with gust up to 25 mph. Griffin Fire-Rescue, along with other agencies and departments, are making preparations for the adverse affects of this storm.

In order to prepare for optimum efficiency in expectation of this winter event, Griffin Fire-Rescue initiates advanced planning for a variety of potential hazards. With the possibility of downed power lines, icy road conditions, providing emergency back-up power for medical patients and other winter-related hazards, special preparations have been made.
The following pre-storm measures have been taken to establish best practices for preparation of Winter Storm Helena.
* All units, including chain saws, portable generators and hydraulic equipment,
topped off with fuel.
* All chain saws tested and bar-oil changed.
* Performed test-run of installing snow chains efficiently.
* Purchased ample supply of 40lb bags of salt to service bay door aprons for non-slip.
* Established a list of on-call personnel to accommodate the manning of additional units.
* Set-up city of Griffin Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located at City Hall, if needed. Set up with additional maps, grease boards, radio equipment and spare batteries.
* Inventory made of all communications equipment and spare batteries charged to equip additional personnel.
* Contacted all C-shift personnel to prepare them to be called in or remain if necessary.
* Conducted meetings with all personnel on storm response and preparedness issues.
* Topped off all station generators and conducted dry-runs.
* Inventoried food supplies in all stations.
* Established a link on 800mhz radio system with city of Griffin MEAG Power SYSOPS for direct communications of storm and power outage data.

Griffin Fire-Rescue maintains a limited amount of portable generators for a variety of tasks. In power outage situations, the department is called upon to assist citizens who are dependent on oxygen machines, dialysis machines and other life-sustaining equipment. The department can provide portable, back-up power to citizens on a first come, first-serve basis ONLY for medical emergency reasons.

Griffin Fire-Rescue commanders include:

Fire Chief Tommy Jones
Operations Officer John Hamilton (Logistics & Supplies)
Fire Marshal Mitchell Cardell (Investigations and Code Issues)
Fire Inspector Mike Thompson (Safety & Structural Inspections)

Incident Commanders During Estimated Event Window:

Friday, 6 January — Captain Mark Gilreath
Saturday, 7 January — Battalion. Chief Todd Wheeler
Sunday, 8 January — Battalion Chief Roger Slaughter

Emergency telephone numbers are as follows:

911
Fire Station #1 (770) 229-6417
Fire Station #2 (770) 229-6416 and (770) 229-6415
Fire Station #3 (770) 229-6414
Fire Chief Cell Phone (678) 618-2025
Electronic Contact: Tjones@cityofGriffin.com (Fire Chief E-mail) 24 hour

For additional information about the city of Griffin, visit www.cityofgriffin.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofgriffin and on Twitter @CityofGriffin.


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Spalding Office of Homeland Security issues Winter Storm Helena information

STAFF REPORT :::

According to the National Weather Service and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, some areas of Georgia may experience a “winter precipitation event” this weekend. During that time, parts of the state may experience rain that will transition to snow overnight due to freezing temperatures. As a precaution, the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security issued a press release with information it would like for all residents to keep in mind.

Be Informed

∗ Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio and monitor commercial radio, television and the Internet to stay informed.

∗ Learn about the terms used to describe winter hazards such as freezing rain, sleet, winter weather advisory, winter storm watch and winter storm warning.

Make a Plan

∗ Create an emergency communications plan so family members will know who to contact if separated during a storm. Designate at least one out-of-town contact.

∗ Plan for pets to come inside and store adequate food and water for them.

∗ Plan to stay inside, if necessary, for at least three days. If trapped outside during severe winter, try to stay dry, cover all body parts and move limbs to keep blood circulating and, if possible, build a fire.

Build a Kit and Be Prepared

∗ Build a Ready Kit of emergency supplies for your home and car.

∗ Home Ready Kit – Include a three-day supply of nonperishable food, water, a flash light with extra batteries, a NOAA Weather Radio, adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm, as well as additional supplies for the unique needs of your family, such as medication.

∗ Automobile Ready Kit: In addition to the essentials in your home Ready Kit, consider adding a portable cell phone charger, ice scraper, extra blanket, sand for traction and jumper cables.

For additional information on how to prepare, plan and stay informed or possibly about winter weather can contact the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security at 770.228.2129 or ready.ga.gov. For preparedness on the go, download the Ready Georgia mobile app.


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