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Local Village Of America News

Former Councilman Gray Files for Change of Venue

Blames Times-Georgian and CarrolltonGeorgia.com

by D. Tim Clark

February 5, 2010

This past week, former Carrollton City Councilman Rusty Gray filed for a change of venue in the case brought against him by the State of Georgia.

Gray blames Times-Georgian and CarrolltonGeorgia.com coverage
Gray's motion begins with the following statement:

"The requested transfer of venue is required by one of the most basic aspects of the rule of law: the right to a trial by a fair, competent and unbiased jury."

Six articles regarding Rusty Gray as published in local print newspaper Times-Georgian were included in the motion; and four articles regarding Gray as published on The Information Age's CarrolltonGeorgia.com online newspaper web site were referenced in the motion.

Background
During early June 2009, Carrollton City Councilman and Carroll County Warden Rusty Gray resigned both positions as the GBI confirmed they were investigating him for an "improper relationship with a minor." His resignation from the city council was accompanied by a public statement from Carrollton Mayor J. Wayne Garner, Gray's brother-in-law, saying:

"I saw the evidence (against him) and I asked him to resign."

Almost immediately, Gray admitted himself into an undisclosed mental health facility for an extended stay.

Then during October 2009, the local Grand Jury brought 2 misdemeanor charges against Rusty Gray following the completion of the GBI investigation:

Interference With Custody (O.C.G.A. 16-5-45(b)); and

Contributing To Delinquency Of A Minor (O.C.G.A. 16-12-1(b)(1)).

What happens next?
Just a few weeks ago, Carroll County Superior Court Judge Dennis Blackmon scheduled two dates to deal with matters regarding the State of Georgia's case against Rusty Gray:

February 26th, 2010 to hear motions; and