Fulton DA drops campus rape cases at Georgia Tech, Morehouse

Two long-running campus rape cases were recently dropped by Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.

The high-profile cases involving a fraternity member at Georgia Tech and three basketball players at Morehouse College had lingered for more than two years. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution learned about Howard’s decision not to prosecute the cases last week.

What took so long to make the decision: the complicated issue of consent.

“These cases with drugs and alcohol are very difficult for us to reach conclusions,” Howard said. In each instance, Howard said, the victim was conscious, communicating with those around her, but afterward said she could not recall what happened.

The AJC has been reporting extensively on campus rapes in Georgia, including these two cases. In 2014, an AJC investigation found that while there had been 152 allegations of rape at nine of Georgia’s largest colleges and universities, not a single one had led to a criminal prosecution.

About the Author

Blank Foundation pledges $50 million to boost grad rates at Atlanta’s HBCUs

The 10-year initiative will provide "gap scholarships" to help nearly 10,000 students at Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Morris Brown and Spelman finish their degree program.

DeKalb superintendent’s alleged financial misdeeds were public before 2023 hiring

Allegations that DeKalb County Superintendent Devon Horton awarded no-bid contracts to his friends pre-date his hiring in DeKalb.

Students take the lead in Atlanta school board candidate town hall

Atlanta school board candidates answered directly to the people their policies would affect during a town hall at Georgia State University.

The Latest

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Blank Foundation pledges $50 million to boost grad rates at Atlanta’s HBCUs

DeKalb superintendent’s alleged financial misdeeds were public before 2023 hiring

Students take the lead in Atlanta school board candidate town hall

Featured

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC

Council president race highlights politics of policing in Atlanta

The race pits an established council member who warns against public safety changes against a progressive who wants a new approach.

Why some Atlantans are saying ‘Hello’ again, or for first time, to landlines

Whether it’s a parent restricting a child’s access to social media or a young adult avoiding doom scrolling, a new generation of landlines is trending.

I-85’s landmark piano in the sky to come down ahead of music shop’s move

This is the sign’s swan song. Cooper Piano in Brookhaven has sold its building on Northeast Expressway and will move its showroom to a smaller space in Chamblee.