Murder Suspects Convicted in Drug Deal Shooting; Man Gets 60 Years For Trooper Beating

Murder Suspects Convicted in 2012 Shootings Over Bad Drug Deal - Sandy Springs Patch

Two men pled guilty this week in connection to the April 14, 2012 murder of Patrick Placide, who was shot to death during a drug deal at the Residences of Morgan Falls Apartments in the 7000 block of Roswell Road.

Gene Stephens and James Taft entered pleas this past week, avoiding trial in a murder case that began with a call to purchase marijuana. Willy Jeanlouis and Victor Scott entered pleas last month and were set to testify against Stephens and Taft. Sandy Springs Patch has more on this story.

Man sentenced to 60 years after trooper beating - WSB-TV

A judge has sentenced a man to 60 years in prison for brutally beating a Georgia State trooper to the point she had to retire from the force. 

Garcia Venson must serve 50 of those years behind bars for the May 2010 attack on Kimberly Davis.

Before Venson was sentenced, Davis tearfully addressed the court, asking DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson to give him the maximum sentence of 60 years. 

"It just wouldn't be right for him to get such a minimal amount of time," she said.  Channel 2 has more on this story.

Victims of Fatal Crash on Hale Road Identified - Oconee Patch

The Georgia State Patrol has identified the two victims killed in a single-car accident on Hale Road Monday as John David Edwards, 36, of Athens, and Stephen Dave Marlow, 23, of Madison. Oconee Patch has more on this story.

Snellville Father and Son Stop Man Suspected of Planning Terrorist Attack in Gwinnett - Snelville Patch

Father and son duo Jerry and Matthew Anderson were recognized during the Feb. 25 Snellville council meeting with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Snellville Police for their help in stopping a suspected shoplifter on Feb. 9. 

Unknown to them at the time, the suspect, Kevin Samuel Lahey, of Norcross, was allegedly planning to attack a government building in Gwinnett County. Snelville Patch has more on this story.

Former employee gets one year for stealing money from state - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

A former Medical College of Georgia employee has been sentenced to a year in prison for her role in a scheme to steal tens of thousands of dollars from the state.

Christin Lynn Wright, a former administrative assistant at the Medical College, pleaded guilty on Feb. 13 to one count of racketeering and one count of theft by taking. She was sentenced to a year in prison, followed by four years probation and she has to pay $10,296.93 in restitution. The AJC has more on this story.

Tree Crashes into Virginia-Highland Home - Virgina Highland-Druid Hills Patch

Soaking rains and heavy winds apparently gave the final push to a massive old tree at the corner of Rosewood and Bellvue in Virginia-Highland. No injuries have been reported. See the tree at Virginia Highland-Druid Hills Patch.

Weekend Home Fire Caused by Arson - Barrow Patch

An initial investigation into a home fire Saturday morning determined the blaze was caused by arson. 

A deputy with the Barrow County Sheriff's Officeon patrol on Princeton Drive found smoke coming from a home in the 1400 block just before 8:30 a.m. and called the fire in, at which time communication officers with Barrow County Emergency Services dispatched firefighters. Barrow Patch has more on this story.