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Bill Torpy: The DA bagged Burrell, but was that enough?

DeKalb County District Attorney candidates Sherry Boston and Robert James at a forum in Lithonia in early May. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Credit: Hyosub Shin

DeKalb County District Attorney candidates Sherry Boston and Robert James at a forum in Lithonia in early May. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
By
May 16, 2016

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James is fighting for his political life. Usually, an incumbent DA is difficult to topple, but

Explorehis race against Solicitor Sherry Boston has turned into a contest

, with a parade of politicos rooting for the challenger.

James argues he's not an establishment guy, that he's unbought and unbossed — just like Hosea Williams used to be. That, James says, is why he has built up so much opposition.

And he did, after two tries, send CEO Burrell Ellis to prison. But those lining up against him say it's not his vigor in fighting corruption that has them wanting a change.

About the Author

Bill Torpy, who writes about metro Atlanta for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, joined the newspaper in 1990.

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