Now that Clayton County voters have elected a sheriff who faces a 37-count criminal indictment, it could put Gov. Nathan Deal in the middle of Clayton County politics.

Channel 2's Jeff Dore talked with Deal Wednesday about how he might have to suspend a sheriff the day he is sworn in.

"Well, certainly, that is an unusual situation," Deal told Dore.

Deal said the best scenario would be if Clayton County gets Victor Hill to trial and his fate be decided by a jury, not by the governor.

"If it continues forward and he is simply in a status of being indicted, I have the option at that point there, I believe it is, law enforcement officers of similar situations, to convene and make a recommendation as to whether or not he should be suspended pending the conclusion of the charges against him," Deal said.

Deal said he has not decided yet what he would ultimately do.

"This is the choice of the people of Clayton County. And one of the most difficult and certainly one of the things that I don't seek is to remove someone that the people have selected. I think that should be the absolute last resort," Deal said.

It's not that the governor wants Hill to be convicted or not convicted, he said. He would just like to see Hill's guilt or innocence decided before the day of swearing-in.

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