Barrow Journal

A Barrow County grand jury this week indicted a former lieutenant with Barrow County Emergency Services in connection with a 2010 Christmas Day gun incident that seriously injured both him and his pregnant daughter.

According to information from the office of the Clerk of Superior Court, the grand jury indicted Todd Orr for cruelty to children in the second degree and reckless conduct.

Cruelty to children in the second degree is a felony. The other charge is a misdemeanor. An indictment does not determine guilt or innocence but means that after hearing evidence presented by the Barrow County District Attorney’s Office believed a crime was committed and should go to trial.

The 23-member panel convened Monday and completed its work Tuesday, after having heard 61 cases.

For more details, pick up a copy of this week's edition of the Barrow Journal, or open a free e-edition account on this website.

A 35-year-old Hoschton man who faced justice this week in Barrow County will spend the rest of his life behind bars for molesting a young female family member over a period of several years.

At the end of a four-day trial, a Barrow County jury found Edward Pershing Hunt guilty of rape, aggravated child molestation, child molestation and cruelty to children.

Superior Court Judge David Motes sentenced him to serve life plus 40 years in prison, according to a press release from the Barrow County District Attorney’s Office. [Full Story »] 

A lieutenant at Barrow County Emergency Services and his pregnant daughter remained hospitalized Monday following a Christmas Day shooting in which each lost a portion of a limb from being struck by the same bullet.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said a family argument between Lt. Todd Orr and two of his daughters culminated in violence shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday after Orr picked up a loaded, .270-calibre hunting rifle that was in his bedroom.

He told deputies that he had intended to leave the house and to take his gun with him. However, his daughters believed he was going to commit suicide, Smith said. [Full Story »] 

A local couple was arrested Friday night for allegedly using the Craigslist Internet site for online prostitution.

After receiving several tips on the Winder Police Department’s anonymous tip line, an undercover officer made contact with the woman, who called herself “Miss Red” online, according to a police department press release.

The officer went to the woman’s home in the 300 block of Cedar Valley Trail in Winder and after striking a deal, notified Winder officers and Barrow County sheriff’s deputies, who arrived at the house and made the arrests.

Elizabeth C. McCannon was charged with prostitution and with keeping a place of prostitution.

Her husband, Richard McCannon, was charged with being a party to the crime of prostitution, being a party to the crime of keeping a place of prostitution, and pimping.