Gwinnett County

‘It’s time to hold them accountable’: Gwinnett DA gets challenger in next election

By Matt Johnson, WSB-TV
By Matt Johnson, WSB-TV

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County’s top prosecutor is facing a primary challenger who says the county’s low murder conviction rate is inviting criminals.

The new challenger is a Democrat who is challenging fellow Democrat Patsy Austin-Gatson.

Challenger Andrea Alabi told Channel 2′s Matt Johnson that she’s had concerns about the District Attorney’s Office when she left for Fulton County, but a Channel 2 Action News investigation made her want to do something about it.

“If a prosecutor isn’t doing their job, it’s time to hold them accountable,” Alabi said.

Alabi is the current chief assistant solicitor general in Fulton County and a former Gwinnett County prosecutor.

The Gwinnett County native says our investigation into the county’s murder conviction rate falling to 57% was part of her decision to run against her former boss.

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“I think it invites people to come to Gwinnett County to commit crimes,” Alabi said.

Austin-Gatson didn’t respond to Johnson’s request for a comment Tuesday. In January, she defended her office and said she’s noticing Gwinnett County jurors are more reluctant to convict people for murder.

“I think they’re looking at things like different podcasts that claim people are innocent when they’re sitting in jail and have been previously convicted,” Austin-Gatson said.

Retired Gwinnett Police Detective Shannon Kulnus said it’s had an effect on current police officers.

“The lack of dedication coming from this office has been so upsetting for so many of us,” Kulnus said.

The primary election is not until May next year. So far this is a two-person race.

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Murder conviction rate falls to 57% in Gwinnett as DA says she’s ‘bringing justice and equity’

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