Speedy trial case to be reconsidered
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a Fulton County judge must reconsider findings that murder charges against John Johnson should be dismissed on speedy trial grounds.
Last year, Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington threw out murder charges against Johnson, who was charged with the 2005 shooting death of Brandon Scott. But the state Supreme Court ruled that Arrington, who has since retired, did not correctly apply the law governing speedy-trial challenges. A new judge must now decide whether Johnson must stand trial.
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.
