Barnesville.com

Cops: Johnson crime scene preserved

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in Crime

Monday, August 9. 2010

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Part 12 in a serialization of interviews published on the 26th anniversary of the brutal murder of Donna Johnson:

Two law enforcement officers who were engaged in the search for Donna Johnson 26 years ago dispute claims made by others that evidence at the scene was destroyed by responding rescue personnel.

Larry Whitlock was the GBI agent assigned to Lamar County at that time. [Full Story »]

Johnson case: Family sought special prosecutor

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Walter Geiger

in Crime

Saturday, August 7. 2010

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Part 12 in a serialization of interviews published on the 26th anniversary of the brutal murder of Donna Johnson:

Members of murder victim Donna Johnson’s family, working through a prominent local minister, attempted to have a special prosecutor appointed to the case in 2006. [Full Story »]

Johnson case: Byron Smith, Chuck Ledbetter, Rick McCreary

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Walter Geiger

in Crime

Thursday, August 5. 2010

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Part 11 in a serialization of interviews published on the 26th anniversary of the brutal murder of Donna Johnson:

Judge E. Byron Smith:

Smith was Flint Circuit District Attorney at the time of the murder and is now a senior judge serving in the Griffin circuit.

“When I got to the scene, I remarked that they better catch somebody tonight because people had trampled all over the evidence. “Over the years, we had all kinds of suspects and evidence come up but none of it ever panned out. I always figured it was a serial killer just passing through the area or a random event. [Full Story »]

Johnson case: Richard Walter, Richard Milam

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Walter Geiger

in Crime

Monday, August 2. 2010

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Part 10 in a serialization of interviews published on the 26th anniversary of the brutal murder of Donna Johnson:

Richard Walter:

Richard Walter is a forensic psychologist, criminal profiler and member of The Vidocq Society.

“Since 2005, I have talked with the sheriff (Larry Waller) and former sheriff Buice, about going over the pieces in the Donna Johnson case. I think that in 2005, if they (the investigators and district attorney) did not understand the scenario, then it becomes ‘just information.’ [Full Story »]

The impact of entomology on the Johnson murder case

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Walter Geiger

in Crime

Friday, July 30. 2010

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Part nine in a serialization of interviews published on the 26th anniversary of the brutal murder of Donna Johnson:

Mortician Kenny Coggins was washing murder victim Donna Johnson’s hair while preparing her body for the funeral when he noticed fly larvae.

The same debris in Johnson’s hair had been previously noted by another investigator who passed it off as sawdust and thought perhaps it indicated Johnson had been killed in a sawmill. [Full Story »]

Johnson case: Joe Buice, Chuck Keadle, Larry Waller

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Walter Geiger

in Crime

Wednesday, July 28. 2010

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Part eight in a serialization of interviews published on the 26th anniversary of the brutal murder of Donna Johnson:

Joe Buice:

Joe Buice is former sheriff of Lamar County and reemphasized the Johnson investigation in 2005.

“We felt like we had enough evidence to take the case to trial. We had a big meeting with the GBI and the folks from the district attorney’s office in December 2005. I begged and pleaded with the GBI but they fought me the whole way.” [Full Story »]

GBI: Sheriff requested grenade investigation

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Walter Geiger

in Top Stories

Tuesday, March 23. 2010

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A GBI official has confirmed his agents got involved in an investigation that led to the arrest of former LCSO captain Grier Smith at the request of sheriff Larry Waller.
[Full Story »]

This week is Teen Driver Safety Week

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in News

Tuesday, October 20. 2009

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National Teen Driver Safety Week is being observed in Lamar County through Oct. 24. [Full Story »]

Sheriff to be released from hospital today

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Walter Geiger

in Top Stories

Tuesday, July 14. 2009

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Lamar County sheriff Larry Waller, who has been a patient at the Macon Medical Center since July 8, expects to be released today. [Full Story »]

Meth Summit anything but a bust

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in News, Top Stories

Tuesday, June 2. 2009

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Many have wondered. Is it an epidemic? Is it a widespread and growing societal problem. The answer became abundantly clear when Jim Langford, executive director of the Georgia Meth Project, asked the audience before him if they or their family had been directly effected by methamphetamine. Everyone raised their hand. [Full Story »]

Sun rises on Lamar; sets on dealers

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in Crime, News, Top Stories

Wednesday, May 13. 2009

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A small army of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies gathered before dawn this morning at the old Barnesville Academy gym in anticipation of a well-orchestrated sweep to remove known drug dealers from the streets of Barnesville-Lamar County.
[Full Story »]

Driver hangs on for dear life during high speed chase; trooper shot

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Walter Geiger

in Top Stories

Tuesday, April 28. 2009

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An Albany man is is custody after a chase from the Atlanta metro area through Lamar County that ended in Monroe County Tuesday afternoon. During the chase, the truck's operator clung to the back of his rig. When the chase ended, the suspect had to be forced from from the truck. During the chase, a state trooper based in Forsyth was inadvertently hit by friendly fire.

The trooper, identified as Tre Howard, was hit in the arm by two shotgun pellets as other officers fired at the truck's tires. Authorities at the scene said his bullet-proof vest likely saved his life as he was hit in the chest and wrist. [Full Story »]