Authorities delay release of Richardson suicide report

By Andria Simmons

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Authorities in Paulding County said Monday they may delay for up to three days the release of an incident report documenting a suicide attempt by Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson.

Cpl. Brandon Gurley, a spokesman for the Paulding County Sheriff's Department, said the county attorney's office needed to review the report before it can be released, even though the suicide attempt happened a week ago. Richardson is a partner in the law office that represents Paulding County: Talley, Richardson & Cable.

Gurley declined to summarize the contents of the report or make any comments about it when questioned by a reporter Monday morning. He said it might take "the full three days" for the department to provide a copy of the police incident report and 911 tape.

"We are not going to be releasing any statements outside of fulfilling an Open Records request," Gurley said. "We just want the protection of an Open Records request."

The department also refused to fax or email the police report once it becomes available. Gurley said reporters would be required to pick up the report in person at the department's headquarters in Dallas, Ga., 40 miles outside of Atlanta, unless they want to have it sent by "snail mail."

Georgia Open Records law states that police incident reports or other documents deemed subject to public disclosure should be released within three days maximum. Richardson's suicide attempt reportedly occurred at his home Nov. 8.

When asked if he was anticipating a lawsuit from Richardson or anyone else related to the release of the records, Gurley said "absolutely not."

"This is an incident we responded to, this isn't a standard criminal investigation," Gurley said. "There are no public safety concerns, so we don't feel like we need to make a statement about it or hold a press conference."

WSB-TV reported that Paulding County sheriff's officials said they were called to his home Sunday evening and Richardson was rushed to a hospital.

Richardson (R-Hiram), in a statement to the media, said Friday that he has been suffering from depression for the past 2 1/2 years since the separation from his wife and subsequent divorce. Richardson said he regularly sees a physician and takes prescription medications for his condition.