She's been fighting nearly a year and a half for this day. On Wednesday, a woman shot and paralyzed by her estranged husband will return to her job as a prosecutor in the Fulton County District Attorney's Office.
April Ross will devote some of her time to appellate issues related to the Atlanta Public Schools cheating case, which she worked on before she was injured, Fulton DA Paul Howard’s office said. But her main assignment will be the trial unit for domestic violence case, Howard said.
On April 25, 2014, it was Ross who was the victim of domestic violence.
Ross, then known as McConnell, had filed for divorce two days earlier, and Tranard McConnell had been served with papers. As Ross sat in a car with a co-worker, McConnell fired multiple shots, hitting his wife in the face, arm and back.
McConnell later killed himself, according to police. Ross survived, but was paralyzed from the chest down.
After countless surgeries and extensive rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center, Ross has fought her way back. Her office has been modified to meet her needs, Howard said in an emailed statement.
“April is truly a dynamic person,” Howard said.” She is a survivor who has courageously triumphed over tremendous odds. She is an inspiration both personally and professionally. Beyond that, April is a dedicated employee with an exemplary work ethic. We are fortunate to have her on our team.”
Ross is a graduate of the Emory University School of Law and has worked in the Fulton DA’s office since 2012.
