The abuse of power is a shameful thing! Outside of physical torture, I cannot think of anything that is more shameful than ruining someone’s life for absolutely no reason. And that is exactly what the Cobb County District Attorney, Pat Head, has done and he should truly be ashamed. In addition, he should be defeated for re-election this year.
I am sure many of you have heard about Greg’s acquittal a few weeks ago at the hands of a Cobb County jury. He was found innocent of aggravated child molestation. I always rejoice in the vindication of an innocent man because far too many of them get convicted. Innocent men get convicted because when we, ordinary citizens, serve as jurors, we judge with human failings and prejudice. Innocent men get convicted because they are accused of crimes, like child molestation, and we believe they must be guilty if they are accused of something that horrible. Pray for the innocent man!
On an ordinary day over two years ago Greg went to work as a teacher in the Cobb County School System, only to be arrested, hauled off to jail, booked like a criminal, and incarcerated without bond for days. All of this happened because someone believed a six-year old child and her parent(s), and decided it was not worth the trouble to investigate the accusations BEFORE ruining a good man’s life.
You will have to listen to the interview to understand my level of disgust. It isn’t like this was really a close case, one best left up to a jury to decide. There certainly are cases like that, but District Attorney’s have an obligation to investigate a case and to form a reasoned opinion as to whether or a crime has been committed. According to Barry Hazen, Greg’s criminal defense lawyer, there simply was no investigation by the District Attorney. Not only was there a question as to whether or not the child had been lead down the road by adults, but at trial, teachers at the school were called to testify that Greg was not even around the child that day!
Greg is a free man for three reasons. First, Tim Santelli, one of his close friends, was an Atlanta personal injury attorney who knew that Greg needed a great lawyer. Tim helped Greg find Barry Hazen, an experienced Atlanta Criminal Defense Attorney, and then Tim stuck with Greg all the way through trial, mainly to support his friend.
Second, Greg did get himself a great lawyer, a great criminal defense lawyer, Barry Hazen. Barry investigated the case (like the DA should have done) and determined that he had a good chance to win. But, there is no guarantee. Barry did what you want you lawyer to do, his job.
The third reason Greg was acquitted was because he was innocent and the evidence was on his side. Even if it is a clear case, like I think this one was, juries can make mistakes. Innocent men get convicted. Lives get ruined. But it still takes guts to insist on your innocence.
As for the DA, Head, it is hard to decide whether this tragedy occured because: (1) he is incompetent, (2) he is too busy to pay attention to what his assistants are doing, (3) he is just one of those individuals whose power went to his Head (pun intended), or (4) all of the above. I hope the DA sees this post. I hope it makes him mad. I hope he calls me up and wants to defend his sorry prosecution of a blatantly innocent man. I will be more than happy to accommodate Pat Head in the arena of public opinion.
You people in Cobb County, now is the opportunity to prove you are as respectable as you think you are. Recall Pat Head before his election! If you are not up to that, then maybe you can just call his office and let him know what you think. His phone number is 770-528-3080.
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