Judge gives attorneys in Victor Hill case ultimatum

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The judge presiding over a case involving indicted Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill wants both sides to agree that he can be impartial, or he will step aside.

Hill faces more than 30 counts, including racketeering, theft and violation of oath of office.

Judge Albert Collier has known Hill since he was a police officer. He also worked with Hill when he was a detective and the judge was an assistant district attorney. On the other side, Collier goes to church with the Clayton County district attorney and her husband and sings in the choir with them.

Collier asked the attorneys to agree that there was no basis for him to recuse himself.

"I'll let you know right now, unless there's a waiver of those issues, I'm not proceeding with trial," he said.

A trial date is set for Aug. 5, and Collier said he didn't want anything to delay that.

The state said it had no problems with the judge and thought he could be fair and impartial. The defense said it needed more time to decide.
   
Collier gave them until Friday.

WSBTV