Connecting Macon-Bibb’s Murderous Dots: The Unspoken Data About Our Gun Killings

By Dave Oedel

Now into the fourth month of 2015, the pace of killings by gunshot in Macon-Bibb is proceeding at the usual clip of about one per month. Ulysses Pitts was shot dead on January 7. Andrew Darrell Brown was shot dead on March 26. In a separate incident also on March 26, Tavaris (also known as Tavarous) Veal was shot dead.  Marquis Reginal Lowe was shot dead March 28.

Michael Knighton was murdered in East Macon on or about March 8, but with a knife to the throat rather than a gun.

Pitts’ alleged murderers are Antwan Denard Johnson, 25, and Sherod Ranardo Holston, both with prior records. Drevon Lashuwn McLaurin, 20, shot Brown, though perhaps in self defense. Steven Quintrell Howard, 28, was arrested for gang activity in connection with Veal’s death. Jaqavius Javon Holloway, 21, and Malik Tajhae Young, 19, were arrested in the Lowe killing.  Holloway’s mug shot is featured with this post.  Mary Brewer, the lone woman mentioned in this article, is sought in the Knighton cut-throat murder.

As to the three March deaths by shooting, the Telegraph reported that Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones “said he didn’t know of anything connecting the cases, other than the victims had been shot.”

The Telegraph in a separate story also indicated that “there might not be much connecting the [two March 26 shootings] than the day of death.”

But is there a way to connect the dots surrounding Macon’s gunshot killings this year to see a broader pattern? … Continue Reading

Why RFRA Fizzled in Georgia

By Dave Oedel

The most controversial bill that got killed in the last days of Georgia’s General Assembly ending April 2, 2015 was Georgia’s proposed version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, S.B. 129, that had been passed by Georgia’s Senate but was languishing in the House. After Indiana enacted a similar bill in March and immediately suffered withering scorn from the likes of Apple’s gay CEO Tim Cook, Georgia’s RFRA died.

Though its sponsors vow that it will return in 2016, it seems unlikely to gain any more traction then, as it had little practical reason for passage to begin with, and its core constituency seems more riveted on matters like same-sex marriage.  The vigor with which Georgia’s RFRA was opposed by gay rights advocates, while comparatively strong as a media matter, was also more symbolic than substantive, in keeping with the largely symbolic character of the proposed law.

With the whole controversy appearing to be more of a media storm without much practical significance, yet with real possible state reputational damage looming, Governor Nathan Deal with his leadership team guided the bill to a quiet death. … Continue Reading

The Significance of the Atlanta Schools Cheating Scandal for Bibb County

By Dave Oedel

When eight Atlanta public school administrators and teachers on April 14, 2015 were sentenced to stiff jail sentences ranging from one to seven years, the contrast with Bibb County’s own public schools scandal involving former Bibb school superintendent Romain Dallemand was notable. Dallemand and his cronies have not yet been charged despite millions of dollars apparently being wasted on useless electronics and an outrageous real estate deal involving the Promise Center.

The suggestion of shadiness or outright self-dealing in the Macon case seems palpable, and is widely rumored, yet no prosecution has been mounted. Mauldin & Jenkins, the accounting firm that audited the system under Dallemand’s short period of leadership, found more than $50 million in irregular expenses under Dallemand during his two years as superintendent. … Continue Reading

Georgia’s Senators Seek Role in Iranian Nuke Deal; Rouhani and Obama Seek Limits on Congressional Role

From Macon Monitor staff reports

Georgia’s two U.S. senators, Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, on April 14, 2015 joined in co-sponsoring a bi-partisan bill that passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a vote of 19-0. Both of Georgia’s senators sit on that committee. The bill awaits full Senate consideration in the coming weeks. President Obama has indicated increasing enthusiasm for the bill, and is expected to sign it.

If passed as expected, the bill would mean that the Obama administration can suspend economic sanctions that Congress previously passed against Iran if, within 30 days of the nuclear deal’s finalization, Congress does not pass another sanctions resolution. After possible passage of a new sanctions resolution, the President would then have 12 days to decide whether to veto it, after which Congress would have 10 days to override the veto — but only on the basis of a two-thirds vote.

A treaty on a matter like nuclear weaponry and power development would ordinarily require … Continue Reading