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DeKalb DA considers death penalty in slaying

By Bill Rankin
Sept 16, 2011

DeKalb County's top prosecutor is considering whether to seek the death penalty against a man accused of sexually assaulting and killing a woman.

Delroy Booth was recently re-indicted by a DeKalb grand jury for killing Shantle Vason in February 2007. "Given the level of gratuitous violence that's charged, all options are on the table," District Attorney Robert James said Friday. Booth, who has pleaded not guilty, is charged with murder, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated battery and aggravated assault.

About the Author

Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.

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