The State Board of Pardons and Paroles denied clemency for Kelly Renee Gissendaner, however, her execution date has now been moved to Monday, March 2.
Gissendaner was convicted of murder in the February 1997 death of her husband, Douglas Gissendaner, and sentenced to death. She conspired with her former lover Gregory Owen, who stabbed Douglas Gissendaner to death. Owen did not receive the death penalty after accepting a plea deal and is eligible for parole in a few years.
Gissendaner’s appeal to the United States Supreme Court was denied October 6, 2014.
Public Safety Archives
Updated: UPDATE: Gissendaner execution delayed
Wednesday, February 25. 2015
Updated: 4 days ago
Auburn woman scheduled to be executed Feb. 25
Wednesday, February 18. 2015
An Auburn woman sentenced to death for commissioning her lover to kill her husband in 1997 is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Wednesday, Feb. 25, according to the State Pardons and Parole Board.
Kelly Renee Gissendaner, then 30, was convicted of malice murder in 1998 and became the only woman on death row in Georgia for the February 1997 death of her husband, Douglas Gissendaner, 30. The victim was killed in Gwinnett County by Gissendaner’s boyfriend, Gregory Owen.
Owen testified against Gissendaner and was thus spared the death penalty. He received a life sentence. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has set a clemency request meeting for Gissendaner for Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Gissendaner, a mother of three, wanted her husband dead so she could profit from two $10,000 life insurance policies and the couple’s $84,000 home, authorities said. [Full Story »]
Kelly Renee Gissendaner, then 30, was convicted of malice murder in 1998 and became the only woman on death row in Georgia for the February 1997 death of her husband, Douglas Gissendaner, 30. The victim was killed in Gwinnett County by Gissendaner’s boyfriend, Gregory Owen.
Owen testified against Gissendaner and was thus spared the death penalty. He received a life sentence. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has set a clemency request meeting for Gissendaner for Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Gissendaner, a mother of three, wanted her husband dead so she could profit from two $10,000 life insurance policies and the couple’s $84,000 home, authorities said. [Full Story »]
CAD system being upgraded
Barrow County Emergency Services is in the process of upgrading the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system in the 911 Center and will be reaching out to county businesses to gather important information.
“The new upgrade will allow dispatchers to see more pertinent information when 911 calls come in,” said E911 manager William Wright. “This will allow them to relay important information to public safety personnel that respond to the incident.”
The upgrade is also being utilized to update a lot of the information in the CAD system. This will include information on businesses in the county.
“We have staff members and volunteers from the Barrow County Community Emergency Response Teams, that will be calling businesses to gather updated information,” said Wright. “This information will be entered into the CAD system and utilized in emergency situations.”
The information that will be updated includes business name, address, local emergency contact number and local key holder number. The update process began in January and is expected to take about six months.
“We wanted to make businesses aware of this so when they receive a phone call from one of the volunteers they know what is going on,” said Wright. “This information update can make a difference when emergency calls are received from a business.”
“The new upgrade will allow dispatchers to see more pertinent information when 911 calls come in,” said E911 manager William Wright. “This will allow them to relay important information to public safety personnel that respond to the incident.”
The upgrade is also being utilized to update a lot of the information in the CAD system. This will include information on businesses in the county.
“We have staff members and volunteers from the Barrow County Community Emergency Response Teams, that will be calling businesses to gather updated information,” said Wright. “This information will be entered into the CAD system and utilized in emergency situations.”
The information that will be updated includes business name, address, local emergency contact number and local key holder number. The update process began in January and is expected to take about six months.
“We wanted to make businesses aware of this so when they receive a phone call from one of the volunteers they know what is going on,” said Wright. “This information update can make a difference when emergency calls are received from a business.”
Nursing assistant facing charges
Thursday, January 22. 2015
On Dec. 17, the Winder Police Department responded to a call at Winder Health Care on E. May Street in reference to a patient who had been injured during an altercation with a staff member.
The victim had reportedly received an injury on the right side of her face and the center of her forehead.
The clinical services director at Winder Health Care advised the bruises to the eldery resident was a result of an altercation with certified nursing assistant, Sonya Favors, 47, of Wallace Meyer Road, Crawford. Favors was terminated from her job and as a result of the incident has since been arrested and charged with cruelty to persons 65-years-or-older and battery against a person who is 65-years-or-older.
The victim had reportedly received an injury on the right side of her face and the center of her forehead.
The clinical services director at Winder Health Care advised the bruises to the eldery resident was a result of an altercation with certified nursing assistant, Sonya Favors, 47, of Wallace Meyer Road, Crawford. Favors was terminated from her job and as a result of the incident has since been arrested and charged with cruelty to persons 65-years-or-older and battery against a person who is 65-years-or-older.
Subject charged in arson fire
Friday, December 26. 2014
On person was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson after a fire was reported in the 900 block of Freeman Johnson Road in the early evening.
"Upon arrival of firefighters flames were showing through the kitchen window," stated Lieutenant Scott Dakin. 'Firefighters made an interior attack to control the fire."
Engine 4, Engine 5, Med 5, Med 7 and Battalion 1 responded to this incident. Upon entering crews found that the fire had extended into the attic as well. Crews worked quickly to bring the fire under control. Due to conditions in the structure the Fire Investigation Team was called to initiate a origin and cause investigation.
After further investigation, and interviewing the resident of the structure, officials determined the cause of the fire was arson.
According to Chief Fire Investigator Lieutenant Blair Darst, one subject on the scene was placed into custody by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office and charged with Arson in the First Degree.
"Upon arrival of firefighters flames were showing through the kitchen window," stated Lieutenant Scott Dakin. 'Firefighters made an interior attack to control the fire."
Engine 4, Engine 5, Med 5, Med 7 and Battalion 1 responded to this incident. Upon entering crews found that the fire had extended into the attic as well. Crews worked quickly to bring the fire under control. Due to conditions in the structure the Fire Investigation Team was called to initiate a origin and cause investigation.
After further investigation, and interviewing the resident of the structure, officials determined the cause of the fire was arson.
According to Chief Fire Investigator Lieutenant Blair Darst, one subject on the scene was placed into custody by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office and charged with Arson in the First Degree.
Major drug bust made in Barrow County
Wednesday, December 24. 2014
Barrow County authorities seized nearly $150,000 worth of illegal drugs and arrested two brothers following the execution of a search warrant at a Winder home last week.
The warrant was served following a month long investigation at 966 Hancock Bridge Road in Winder which netted the seizure of multiple controlled substances, cash, and firearms.
More than 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value in excess of $70,000 was seized, in addition to 15 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $77,000, according to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
Also seized in the raid were $27,262 in cash, an ounce of MDMA (ecstasy), which has a street value of $3,000, and small amounts of cocaine and hashish.
Twelve firearms were seized, including four assault rifles, one rifle, and seven semi-automatic handguns.
John Vang, 28, and his brother Steven Vang, also 28, were both arrested. Both are residents of 966 Hancock Bridge Road.
Both suspects are charged with trafficking in methamphetamines, trafficking in marijuana, trafficking in a Schedule 1 controlled substance (ecstasy), possession of a Schedule 1 controlled substance (hashish), and possession of a Schedule 2 controlled substance (cocaine), and possession of firearms during the commission of a felony.
The warrant was served following a month long investigation at 966 Hancock Bridge Road in Winder which netted the seizure of multiple controlled substances, cash, and firearms.
More than 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value in excess of $70,000 was seized, in addition to 15 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $77,000, according to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
Also seized in the raid were $27,262 in cash, an ounce of MDMA (ecstasy), which has a street value of $3,000, and small amounts of cocaine and hashish.
Twelve firearms were seized, including four assault rifles, one rifle, and seven semi-automatic handguns.
John Vang, 28, and his brother Steven Vang, also 28, were both arrested. Both are residents of 966 Hancock Bridge Road.
Both suspects are charged with trafficking in methamphetamines, trafficking in marijuana, trafficking in a Schedule 1 controlled substance (ecstasy), possession of a Schedule 1 controlled substance (hashish), and possession of a Schedule 2 controlled substance (cocaine), and possession of firearms during the commission of a felony.
Sheriff details need for new video security equipment
Friday, December 19. 2014
Sheriff Jud Smith told the Barrow County Board of Commissioners last week that new video equipment is urgently needed for the courthouse and detention center.
Smith said $200,000 is needed for an upgrade to out-of-date equipment, which works part-time at best.
The system was installed in 2008 but is already obsolete as it has been increasingly difficult to find replacement parts for the analog system.
The current video security system includes 12 DVRs which operate on an analog system and need to be changed to digital. Smith said the change would be similar to going from 8-track to CD.
At present time, two of the courtrooms cannot be recorded and neither can the pre-booking area of the jail. The sheriff said it all comes down to safety and liability.
Commissioner Kenny Shook said he believed purchasing a new system would be better than spending money to upgrade the old one. The company, that installed the system, has since gone out of business although some former employees formed another company and said they could help with the upgrade.
Smith said further attempts to repair the current system would likely damage the infrastructure.
Smith said $200,000 is needed for an upgrade to out-of-date equipment, which works part-time at best.
The system was installed in 2008 but is already obsolete as it has been increasingly difficult to find replacement parts for the analog system.
The current video security system includes 12 DVRs which operate on an analog system and need to be changed to digital. Smith said the change would be similar to going from 8-track to CD.
At present time, two of the courtrooms cannot be recorded and neither can the pre-booking area of the jail. The sheriff said it all comes down to safety and liability.
Commissioner Kenny Shook said he believed purchasing a new system would be better than spending money to upgrade the old one. The company, that installed the system, has since gone out of business although some former employees formed another company and said they could help with the upgrade.
Smith said further attempts to repair the current system would likely damage the infrastructure.
FRIDAY ALERT: I-85 SB closed at Hwy. 211; reports indicate a Braselton Police car involved
Friday, December 19. 2014
UPDATE 9:05 A.M.: At this time extrication is complete, the helicopter has left the scene. The accident involved a FedEx truck and a Braselton Police Department vehicle. One southbound lane has been reopened. The other southbound lane will remained closed until cleanup is complete which will be several hours. We urge citizens to avoid the area.
*****
Barrow County Emergency Services is advising citizens to avoid the area of Interstate 85 southbound at Highway 211 due to a motor vehicle collision.
"A tractor trailer has overturned with entrapment and another vehicle involved," stated Lieutenant Scott Dakin. "Interstate 85 southbound has been closed down and will remain closed for several hours. Northbound lanes are congested in the area."
Barrow County Emergency Services is working now to extricate the patient and has a medical helicopter enroute to transport the patient. West Jackson Fire Department has been requested to assist.
"Citizens need to avoid this area for several hours," stated Lieutenant Dakin.
*****
Barrow County Emergency Services is advising citizens to avoid the area of Interstate 85 southbound at Highway 211 due to a motor vehicle collision.
"A tractor trailer has overturned with entrapment and another vehicle involved," stated Lieutenant Scott Dakin. "Interstate 85 southbound has been closed down and will remain closed for several hours. Northbound lanes are congested in the area."
Barrow County Emergency Services is working now to extricate the patient and has a medical helicopter enroute to transport the patient. West Jackson Fire Department has been requested to assist.
"Citizens need to avoid this area for several hours," stated Lieutenant Dakin.
‘Fugitive round-up’ leads to 36 arrests
Wednesday, December 17. 2014
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office reported 36 arrests were made when state and local law enforcement agents conducted a round-up of wanted fugitives and other criminal and traffic law violators on Thursday, Dec. 11.
Along with officers from Auburn Police Department, Winder Police Department and the State Probation and Parole officials, a sweep was made through Barrow County searching for wanted felons. This large-scale arrest operation was spearheaded by State Probation Officials, who organized the round-up in cooperation with the local agencies.
The BCSO also conducted traffic checkpoints at multiple locations on the county’s roadways.
Along with 22 fugitives that were arrested, 14 individuals were arrested at the checkpoints for charges ranging from driving without a license to possession of marijuana.
Along with officers from Auburn Police Department, Winder Police Department and the State Probation and Parole officials, a sweep was made through Barrow County searching for wanted felons. This large-scale arrest operation was spearheaded by State Probation Officials, who organized the round-up in cooperation with the local agencies.
The BCSO also conducted traffic checkpoints at multiple locations on the county’s roadways.
Along with 22 fugitives that were arrested, 14 individuals were arrested at the checkpoints for charges ranging from driving without a license to possession of marijuana.
Six arrested in possible gang-related incident
Friday, December 12. 2014
City of Winder police responded to a report of a possible shooting On Nov. 30, on Lily Drive in Winder.
When officers arrived at the location, they spoke with a resident who at first did not want to cooperate, but did show Facebook posts between a neighbor and a male subject with both parties claiming “Hardigree” as their territory with several references to “bloods” and both parties threatening to fight each other.
The witness stated she was outside when a silver Magnum came up the driveway and a passenger in the vehicle shot in the air towards the neighbor’s residence and left the area. The witness also stated that the parties were claiming to be “GDs” (Gangster Disciples).
The car matching the description given by the witness was located at the intersection of W. May and Athens Streets and a felony traffic stop was attempted. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division was called to assist with the stop.
All but one of the occupants exited the vehicle and were detained pending further investigation. A black male still inside the suspect vehicle was given loud verbal commands to show his hands and exit the vehicle slowly.
After refusing to do so, the Barrow County S.W.A.T Team responded to the location. Shortly after their arrival, Quentin Jamayne Armstrong, 20, of Jefferson Road, Statham, exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
Armstrong was charged with willful obstruction of law enforcement officers along with false imprisonment, kidnapping and cruelty to children for having a juvenile child in the vehicle during the incident.
When officers arrived at the location, they spoke with a resident who at first did not want to cooperate, but did show Facebook posts between a neighbor and a male subject with both parties claiming “Hardigree” as their territory with several references to “bloods” and both parties threatening to fight each other.
The witness stated she was outside when a silver Magnum came up the driveway and a passenger in the vehicle shot in the air towards the neighbor’s residence and left the area. The witness also stated that the parties were claiming to be “GDs” (Gangster Disciples).
The car matching the description given by the witness was located at the intersection of W. May and Athens Streets and a felony traffic stop was attempted. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division was called to assist with the stop.
All but one of the occupants exited the vehicle and were detained pending further investigation. A black male still inside the suspect vehicle was given loud verbal commands to show his hands and exit the vehicle slowly.
After refusing to do so, the Barrow County S.W.A.T Team responded to the location. Shortly after their arrival, Quentin Jamayne Armstrong, 20, of Jefferson Road, Statham, exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
Armstrong was charged with willful obstruction of law enforcement officers along with false imprisonment, kidnapping and cruelty to children for having a juvenile child in the vehicle during the incident.
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