Waller refuses to release records regarding murder case

Waller refuses to release records regarding murder case

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in Crime

Tuesday, February 3. 2009

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In the aftermath of the shooting death January 30 of Charles G. Adams, Lamar County sheriff Larry Waller refused to release routine records regarding the case.

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#1 Anonymous on 02/03/09 at 05:46 PM

suppose that's cause Waller makes his own rules

#1.1 Anonymous on 02/03/09 at 07:11 PM

he wont release the records because ronnie did not do it and they are now seeing that. the man who killed him was jason ronnies friend.

#2 The Observer on 02/03/09 at 06:41 PM

Why should there be the least surprise at this?

And just think, you have FOUR YEARS of this thug and Obamination to look forward to!

#3 JustSayin' on 02/03/09 at 06:42 PM

hmmmm interesting. Didn't Waller make a huge deal about Buice not releasing public records?

...just sayin'

#4 lizzybegood on 02/03/09 at 07:04 PM

You can't teach an old dog new tricks...hmmm

#5 Anonymous on 02/03/09 at 07:55 PM

jason who?

#6 Kracker on 02/03/09 at 07:57 PM

I certainly don’t know, and neither do any of you, but I would conclude that Sheriff Waller is not releasing this information for investigative purposes. I could be wrong about this, but I highly doubt that he is doing it to piss off the citizens of Lamar county.I am more than sure that, in time, Sheriff Waller will release the information and, if history is any indication, probably even a written explanation for not releasing the information sooner. JB and his crew are obviously trying real hard to discredit Waller, but it’s not working. If all you can find to complain about is him not releasing information to the press soon enough on a murder investigation our county has an exceptional Sheriff. THANK YOU SHERIFF WALLLER FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB!

#7 anonymous on 02/03/09 at 07:58 PM

By law, you have three days to respond. Today is the 3rd, and you said you hand delivered your request on the 2nd.

#8 anonymous on 02/03/09 at 08:10 PM

good ole boys are still running this county how stupid are at least half the people in this county?
on another note the guy they have didn't pull the trigger I predict you 'll never know the truth they just have to convict someone the pressure is on waller and his incompetent investigators just watch they don't have all the evidence if they do, will they hide it or keep it quiet as usual that's the good ole boy way. you have to deal with this at least a couple of years

#9 Anonymous on 02/03/09 at 09:03 PM

This would actually be news if the 3 business days had passed. Come back on Thursday. No laws were broken.

#10 anonymous on 02/03/09 at 09:30 PM

So if you know that this guy did not commit the murder, that means you were there and saw it, right? Sounds like you have been in the past sheriff's pocket, too.

#11 Anonymous on 02/03/09 at 09:45 PM

Our previous Sheriff had a bad habit of walking in peoples home without a search warrant. Atleast Sheriff Waller knows the law and wont violate our constitutional rights. Waller even taught the law at a few different colleges.

#11.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 06:50 AM

I call your bluff. Name the colleges and the years he taught. And for extra credit, tell us the title of the course.

#11.1.1 Bluff on 02/04/09 at 06:59 AM

http://sacs.gdn.edu/roster2.asp

#11.1.1.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 07:04 AM

I love your screenname now. hahahaha. Awesome. Great to see someone willing to follow up on their comment.

You are right. I knew of Gordon and I know of one other. In both situations he taught Intro courses.

I could be wrong but I think there is a digital textbook compiled by him as well. The man knows his law from a textbook standpoint. I agree with that.

I would be interested to know what his classroom demeanor is like. Any thoughts?

#11.1.1.1.1 Seriously? on 02/05/09 at 12:48 PM

Why would you even "call his bluff"? You made yourself look like you had been hiding under a rock, and knew nothing about the background of the Sherriff, because anyone who knows anything at all about him KNOWS he KNOWS the law. Of course what he teaches at Gordon are intro courses...its a 2 year college. ALL you get is intro courses. Why would it matter what his demeanor is? For the record though as someone who took his class it was professional (as always), he was engaging, fair, and firm. I learned more in his class than I learned is a couple of 300 level classes.
When I first started reading your posts Andrew I thought maybe Walter has hired someone with some sense, that wasn't a biased jerk holding on to an age old grudge over some long ago property deal. Obviously not. But whatever you do Andrew, don't start wearing your loafers without socks...that look went out with Don Johnson and Crockett and Tubbs.

#11.1.1.1.1.1 Andrew Odom on 02/05/09 at 01:25 PM

WOW. Thank you so much for the compliment and then the slander. Nothing like bittersweet comments.

I called his bluff because as I have experienced in Barnesville many people will continue to spread stories without any actual proof. I just wanted to see where the thought Waller had taught. The way the Barnesville rumor mill worked for all I knew he may have thought Waller was a tenured Harvard Law professor.

As for intro classes? After reviewing the course catalogue I see a number of courses that are beyond intro. Not much beyond but a bit more specified than say "Intro to Biology." Yes, it is a two year school but with a number of students entering their freshman year with AP credits and many courses behind them already even two-year schools need to offer courses above general ed.

I ask about his demeanor because I, too, am a teacher and feel you can delve well into someones personality by observing their teaching strategy. Thank you for asking though. And in all fairness, you did answer the question so you must also think it matters to some degree.

Oh, and to be quite honest? Yes, I know nothing about Walller since I just moved to B'ville two months ago. I was not here for the election. I only call it like I see it within the last eight weeks.

At any rate...you can rest assured I will not wear loafers without socks. I favor my old doc martens and black athletic socks, if you are ever looking for a gift to send me.

#12 Big Bob on 02/03/09 at 10:15 PM

If it could possibly hinder the investigation(not sure why it would)in anyway. He can keep the documents from public disclosure. Not sure why a booking photo and folio sheet would be a big deal to be released though. Hell i'm sure we can get a mugshot from a Spalding or Monroe county.

#13 Drew on 02/04/09 at 07:14 AM

We've had comments on several recent stories relating to booking photos, so I thought this would be an opportune moment to explain what they mean to the free press.

When someone is arrested in Lamar County, they are booked into county jail, which is under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Department.

When we want a booking photo, we have to contact the Sheriff's Department. They release the photo if they get permission from the arresting agency.

If the person is not booked into Lamar County Jail then things change. If the suspect is in federal custody...well, the feds do not release booking photos.

This all leads to us thinking either the sheriff is not in control of this case afterall and therefore has no information to give out or the feds have become involved and are not responsible for even speaking with us.

There is no hindrance to the investigation. There is no law that I know of that says the sheriff has to or doesn't have to publicly disclose anything. For me it boils down to more a matter of respect; for the press, for the community, and for general purpose. It would enable us to put a face to a name, clear any confusion (i.e. people thinking the most recent alleged killer was related to a school board member), and inform the public of the actual events of the crime.

to #9 - We aren't hoping VISA got our most recent, albeit late, payment. The suspect was arraigned on Sunday which means the law doesn't observe normal banking business hours. This information should be sealed by now.

to Kracker - do you really want to personally man the complaint dept. against our present sheriff? I am sure we can all find more things to complain about. Bad choice of words, IMHO

to all - there has been no formal mention of another suspect. The boards call him 'Jason' but there is no Jason in custody or being questioned. If you would like to tell us more you can always contact me personally through email.

#13.1 #9 on 02/04/09 at 03:37 PM

Drew, I was siting from the Georgia Open Records Act. I put "business days" because that is how it is worded. I am no law expert, so I could be mistaken.

I for one am glad that you are a presence in this site and are very active with these posts. - and have a good sense of humor!

The individual in control of such public record or records shall have a reasonable amount of time to determine whether or not the record or records requested are subject to access under this article and to permit inspection and copying. In no event shall this time exceed three business days.

#13.1.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 03:47 PM

WOW. What a document. I found it here:

http://sos.georgia.gov/archives/who_are_we/rims/best_practices_resources/open_records_act.htm#50-18-74

You are right in the time frame set forth by the document. However, there are a number of other things I don't quite understand including

1) Waller doesn't have to share information to media outlets
2) Waller does have to release public records or else potentially face a misdemeanor charge
3) Waller doesn't have to share public records if ordered not to by a higher government authority
4) Waller doesn't have to share public records if he is in a business or personal or familial relationship with the suspect in custody

It is hard to understand though, yes. I am glad you found that doc. I am going to read through it and study it so I am aware of all of our rights in the future.

Thank you for understanding my presence on this site. It is such an awesome platform to be able to correspond with readers on an hourly basis.

With regards,

Drew

#14 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 07:23 AM

Looks to me like you've got photos, so why do you need booking photos to prove to the public which Ronnie Smith this is? Admit it, Mr. Odom, you just want to rag on Waller.

#14.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 07:51 AM

You got me! Oh my. You are such a super sleuth. Imagine that? The media wanting the skinny on a crime scene.

#14.1.1 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 08:06 AM

your comments at 8:14 dealt with the photographs. Not the "skinny" on the crime scene. You specifically stated you wanted to put to rest any confusion as to which Ron Smith this may have been. So, either say what you mean, or accept that people are going to question YOUR motives.

#14.1.1.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 08:20 AM

You are right...somewhat. The skinny also involved photographs. In my mind "the skinny" is slang for all public information on a case which means visual, auditory, evidential, etc.

#14.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 08:29 AM

Did it occur to you that perhaps the sheriff will release information when it won't be detrimental to the case? Why the rush? I'm a tax paying citizen and right now, I know all I need to know. A murder was committed, a suspect has been arrested, the suspected motive is drugs. What else do we need right now? Too much information may bias the potential jury pool in this small town. This is another example of the "gotta have it now" mentatilty that is becoming the downfall of our country.

#15 anonymous on 02/04/09 at 07:31 AM

I think the reporters all want to rag on Waller as you put it. They don't seem to have the direct line to the jail that they previously had.

#16 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 08:15 AM

i think all the comments by the newspaper employee on this blog are inappropriate. i think he needs to be silent; thereby neutral in opinion about stories printed in the paper. it is wierd that he is so interested about people on a personal level

#16.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 08:24 AM

Is this to say that as journalists we are not allowed an opinion? Do we not pay taxes in the county as well? Do we not matter? Are we supposed to just release information and stories and then sit idly by while it becomes conversation in the community?

In this particular case, I think my neutrality is not in question. I did not write the article which should excuse me from being biased in the first place.

I am not at all sure what you mean by being interested in people on a personal level. Last I checked I am allowed and encouraged to be a contributing member of our society.

#17 Vote Counter on 02/04/09 at 08:44 AM

90 votes.

Thanks ever so much Milner.

...idiots

#18 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 08:45 AM

weird

#19 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 10:47 AM

Last I checked it is still freedom of speech for the most part. Our kids can't even pray in school anymore without offending someone. You may wonder what does that have to do with this discussion? Well in my opinion it has a lot to do with it! I for one welcome Andrews opinions and input on this blog and the newspaper. If you don't like it don't like it, then no one is forcing you to read it. So here's to you keeping us informed Andrew!

#19.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 12:15 PM

Thank you so much for your support. It is not my intention now nor will it ever be my intention to force my opinion on anyone. My job as a full-time newspaperman is to inform the public of the facts as I get them. That doesn't always fit into the 9-5 working parameters and with the advent of the Internet it makes it that much easier to disperse such information. I will continue to report as I have.

With regards,

Drew

#19.2 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 09:53 PM

Jason was a guy hanging around ronnie. He is a known theive and had threatened to kill that gentleman because he was to report that Jason was sleeping with the woman next door. They brought him in for questioning and released him. He was supposed to go to take a lie detector test and from what I can understand he never showed up.

#20 anonymous on 02/04/09 at 11:01 AM

I don't know if you are being sarcastic about the election results or not, but I agree with your comment in all seriousness.....
THANK YOU SO MUCH MILNER. And I don't think they are idiots. Just people who had a first hand experience with the Buice adm.

#21 kracker on 02/04/09 at 11:48 AM

I took several criminal justice classes taught by Sheriff Waller at Gordon college. Sheriff Waller’s classes were tough, but I learned a lot. After Gordon, Sheriff Waller took a job at a college in Jasper GA. He was the head of the criminal justice department and later became the dean of the school. We, the citizens of Lamar county, should all be thankful that someone of this magnitude is willing to be our Sheriff. Not many county’s are privileged enough to have a Sheriff with as much knowledge of the law as our Sheriff.

#21.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 12:16 PM

Thank you 'kracker' for letting us know the benefits of having Waller as sheriff. It is nice to hear a first hand report about his knowledge and ability to educate others.

#21.1.1 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 03:39 PM

Wow, Waller must have really offended you guys. Did he release the info to the other publication?

#21.1.1.1 Andrew Odom on 02/04/09 at 03:48 PM

I honestly do not know what was released to any other media outlet on the part of the sheriff's office.

#21.1.2 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 06:02 PM

Was this intended to be sarcastic?

#22 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 12:27 PM

I agree....THANK YOU MILLNER AND EVRYONE ELSE WHO VOTED FOR WALLER!!!

#23 Anonymous on 02/04/09 at 05:39 PM

I think it is funny...The last sheriff was a glory hound. He couldn't wait to get his picture in the paper. How many cases of his were true billed? Maybe he was to anxious to make an arrest. Aren'T there lawsuits pending due to errors of the past administration? Now you have a professional as Sheriff and I don't blame him for not disclosing all of the info on this case right now.

#24 Anonymous on 02/05/09 at 01:30 PM

any news as to whether or not Sherriff Waller intends to release the photos that the press needs so badly? I mean, there just aren't enough photos availible, and we might not know what the alleged suspect looks like.

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