Volume 122, No. 49 Dahlonega, Ga. 30533 April 4, 2012 thedahloneganugget.com 75 cents Who’s to blame for Dempsey debacle? By Matt Aiken stated Langely. “Although I The Nugget was present, I did not then The answer to what exact- Court offi cials off er diff ering versions of events that know him or the position he ly went wrong in the Lewis held.” Dempsey murder case may Prescott went on to serve depend on who you ask. led to release of accused murderer Lewis Dempsey as the jury foreman, despite It was a little less than two the fact that an elected offi cial weeks ago that the Georgia cannot sit on such a group. As Supreme Court ruled that a bor Jewell Crane. all. over the grand jury when in the courtroom as well. a result the initial indictment series of gaffes by the Enotah A few days after that rul- “I have always tried to be Ralph Prescott identifi ed “Prescott stood to indicate was deemed invalid. Judicial Circuit freed the 74- ing, newly-resigned Lumpkin cooperative with The Nug- himself as an acting Dahlone- he was an elected offi cial, and “Although Mr. Langley year-old murder suspect from County Superior Court Judge get,” she wrote. “But I feel as ga city council member. Alderman said she knew his was in court at the time the being re-indicted on charges Lynn Alderman sent out an though I was thrown under District Attorney Jeff situation, apparently believ- fi rst grand jury was formed, I related to the 2009 shooting email saying she would take the bus here.” Langley, who was then an as- ing he was a former elected of- death of his 76 year old neigh- some of the blame, but not Alderman was presiding sistant district attorney, was fi cial, and said he was okay,” See Murder, Page 12A Honoring Lumpkin’s fallen heroes Council will appeal ruling in Ariemma removal case ■ E-mails reveal rift between new council member and incumbents over statement By Matt Aiken Mayor Gary McCullough The Nugget responded with a comment The City of Dahlonega that mirrored a recent Ari- voted to continue to pursue emma quote that appeared on the removal of accused coun- the front page of last week’s Just like the soldiers that guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, every detail of the cil member Johnny Ariemma Dahlonega Nugget. uniform of a member of the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Offi ce Honor Guard is inspected and must be perfect before Monday night by appealing “I hope the mayor and city the offi cer takes his place on guard for a fallen offi cer or family member. Here, Jason Betsill inspects the uniform of a recent decision by Judge council doesn’t have to go Shane Murphy (left) while Honor Guard Team Leader Sterling Cole makes sure a button on the uniform of Scott Coker Hugh Stone which deemed through the pain and agony, is properly aligned. their procedures “unconstitu- the threats, the intimidation, tional.” the name calling that we have The motion’s approval gone through,” he said. “And made for some tense moments I’d like to see that on the front Unique offi cers train hard for memorials in the meeting hall as Ariem- page.” ma expressed his displeasure Though the city will pro- with the decision. ceed with the process, it will By Sharon Hall and they make a lot of sacrifi ces,” says August the team began “operating un- “I am amazed that this most likely not be with the The Nugget Maj. Mike Ramsey, second in command der a general order. Now we have a full- council and this mayor con- support of the entire council The training is stringent and the duty at LCSO. time team.” tinue to come after me,” he as newly elected offi cial Bruce is tougher for members of the Lumpkin “The jackets are hot, the shoes kill Law enforcement honor guards can said. “It’s preposterous. ... It’s Hoffman cast a dissenting County Sheriff’s Offi ce Honor Guard. our feet; but it’s not about us,” says Hon- be used for ceremonial purposes, but been a battle that everybody is They spend hours each month drilling or Guard Team Leader Sterling Cole, LCSO’s team is only used for offi cers tired of in this town.” See Ariemma, Page 12A in how to perform a silent watch, how to “it’s about them.” and their families, Ramsey says. march, fold a U.S. fl ag, salute properly, The Honor Guard provides a pres- Several weeks ago the team per- perform pall bearer and graveside du- ence upon the death of an active or re- formed honor guard duty for the fi rst ties. Modifi ed dress uniforms must be tired Lumpkin County law offi cer or im- time for one of their own, Crime Scene JQC says they want maintained in immaculate condition, mediate family member. At the sheriff’s Investigator David Dearman Sr. From and are inspected rigorously after they discretion, they can also participate in the time of his death until he was placed are donned and before an Honor Guard the guard duty for a fellow offi cer from in the ground at the cemetery, two men member can take his or her place on another jurisdiction, if so requested. stood on guard 24/7, with the duty being judge inquiry public duty. The sheriff’s offi ce has always had See Honor, Page 12A “They are a special group of guys an ad hoc team, Ramsey says, but last ■ Commission asks Alderman to waive privacy right so all charges can be released Local tutors are tackling inmate education By Sharon Hall Court Bench, allegedly over The Nugget her actions concerning a sen- The Judicial Qualifi cations tencing error in the case of By Matt Aiken served banquet at the sher- Commission (JQC) is ready to former Lumpkin County resi- The Nugget iff’s offi ce before he departed go public with additional alle- dent Charles Stringer. Dr. Tim Mann has spent to retired life. Though, he ac- gations of judicial misconduct Stringer was sentenced the past fi ve years attempt- tually retired from a career against former Enotah Cir- to serve time both in Lump- ing to turn local jail cells into in jail administration several cuit judge Lynn Alderman, it kin and Forsyth counties on school rooms. And he has years ago. disclosed in a letter to her last drug charges. The two terms plenty of thankful inmates Fellow volunteer Gerri week. The letter was sent af- were to run concurrently. He to show for it, said Captain Stancil said she’ll be sad to ter Alderman sent out a press served his time in Lumpkin Marcus Sewell. see him go. release accusing the commis- County and was released “You can’t change ev- “We’re now so needy for a sion of an “inappropriate and on parole. At that point he erybody,” said Sewell while leader,” she said with a fur- unprofessional” investigation should have been picked up standing just outside the rowed brow. into her “personal life both on by the Department of Cor- Lumpkin County Detention Stancil is one of four other and off the Bench, as well as rections (DOC) and taken to Center guard-line recently. regular jail tutors. She was the personal lives of my chil- Forsyth County to serve his “But if you can change one recently recruited by Jarrard dren ...” remaining time, but that did and help them get a job on the to help out with the female in- Alderman voluntarily not happen. The paperwork outside, you can change their mates in need of a tutor. resigned her position on the life.” “The sheriff found me at Enotah Circuit Superior See Judge, Page 10A Mann, who will soon be the grand jury,” she said. stepping down from his vol- Stancil’s since worked unteer duties, agreed with alongside Mann every Tues- that sentiment. day and Thursday for the “They come in with the past year. And, for her, the ul- concern that ‘I was a failure timate goal isn’t just a GED. at school and I’m a failure “I get a lot of chances to now,’” he said. “But they get Dr. Timothy Mann, left, has been holding class in Lumpkin just talk to them and I’ve into it. And it makes them ea- County Detention Center for half a decade. “I’d like to seen attitudes change,” she ger to succeed.” thank him for his service,” said Sheriff Stacy Jarrard. “He’s In fact, Sheriff Stacy Jar- had a lot of success here.” (Staff photo/MATT AIKEN) See GED, Page 12A rard estimated that during Mann’s tutoring tenure, he’s equivalency test. As a result, the Lumpkin helped 51 inmates make it to “And 49 have passed,” County resident’s hard work the crucial GED high school Mann said with a grin. was honored with a well-de- Our most valuable deal ever imited Unl y, or 1-da Golf f balls f range Bucket o $ Helen, Ga & Cart 30 1-800-642-2709 only ue $75 val Certifi cate good thru Dec. 31, 2012 Page 2A, The Dahlonega Nugget, Dahlonega, Ga., April 4, 2012 Meetings The Lumpkin County Committee meets at 4:30 istration Building on Court- day, April 9, 6 p.m. in the Administration Building on Board of Education ses- p.m. the fi rst Thursday of house Hill.