Suspended DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis’ fate is still not known. A jury could not reach unanimous verdicts on any counts in Ellis’ recent corruption trial. The mistrial has spawned a fury of opinions. Today, an Emory University-based ethicist criticizes jury members for considering personal feelings about Ellis and condemns Georgia governments for their corrupt legacy. The jury’s forewoman writes about the difficulties of attaining unanimous verdicts, and a retired federal prosecutor urges Ellis to step down and let DeKalb begin healing.

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Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez