It's not exactly commonplace in this era of deep partisan division for lawmakers to reach consensus on anything, much less unanimity.
A bill introduced last week by Sen. Ed Harbison, D-Columbus, sailed through the Georgia Senate by a 53-0 vote.
It's probably not landmark legislation, and it might not have changed the situation in response to which it was written, even if it had been on the books for years.
But if it clears the House and gets the signature of Gov. Sonny Perdue, it will be good law nonetheless.
Harbison drafted the bill in response to the 2003 shooting death of Kenny Walker of Columbus - or rather, in response to what many perceive as a flaw in the grand jury investigation of that death.
On the night of Dec. 10, 2003, Muscogee County Deputy David Glisson fatally shot Walker after the car in which Walker was a passenger was stopped on Interstate 185 as part of a drug investigation. Although an autopsy later discovered cocaine in Walker's body, no drugs or firearms were found in the SUV or on Walker, or in the possession of the vehicle's other occupants.
Glisson testified before a grand jury in November 2004. But his testimony was not given under oath. Glisson was not indicted, and never faced trial in Kenny Walker's death. A civil suit filed on behalf of Walker's widow Cheryl against the city and officers involved in the case was settled for $450,000 in 2008.
Whether or not the outcome would have been different, the fact remains that the absence of sworn grand jury testimony in this tragic episode has been one of the most troublesome clouds of doubt that hung over this community concerning this case, literally for years.
Harbison's bill, if it becomes law, won't guarantee definitive justice in years and cases to come. But at least this is one legal loophole that will have been closed.
Who's crossing the t's?
Russell County officials thought the county seat would share in the almost $3.4 million cost of expanding the Russell County Jail, as has been the case in the past.
Phenix City says otherwise. The city sent the county a letter saying it has no current need for additional space, so ... no dough.
Now the formerly in-progress jail expansion is what the TV folks would call "on hiatus."
City and county folks reportedly will review legal documents involved in the jail contract and then get together to talk about what should happen.
Under the circumstances, that seems like the right thing to do. Even if some of these things seem to be happening in the wrong order.
March 8, 2010
Click here to read and watch WSB-TV's report on the sale in Georgia of a product that includes a synthetic form of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The product, sold legally as herbal incense, is said to be even stronger and more dangerous than marijuana when smoked.
The WSB-TV report includes comments by Sen. Ed Harbison, who is considering legislation banning the product in Georgia. "I think it's a looming menace and we're going to have to deal with it one way or another," Sen. Harbison said.
District 15
Email: ed.harbison@senate.ga.gov
Senator Ed Harbison — Georgia Senate District 15
Capitol
432 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404.656.0074
Fax: 404.463.5547
P.O. Box 1292
Columbus, GA 31902
Phone: 706.610.7120
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