| REDRESS |
|
|
EX-SHERIFF GETS LIFE IN PRISON FOR RIVAL'S MURDER CNN.com/LAWCENTER, 08-20-02 DECATUR, Georgia (CNN) - A former Georgia sheriff convicted of arranging the murder of his elected successor was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison. Sidney Dorsey, former DeKalb County sheriff, sat emotionless as Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker handed out the sentence. Dorsey received life for arranging the murder of his elected successor, Derwin Brown, and another 23 years for being convicted of corruption charges. Earlier Thursday, Dorsey told the courtroom that "I do not have the blood of Derwin Brown on my hands." The former sheriff, 63, also said he would "always be free" while in prison because, he said, he was innocent. Dorsey was found guilty July 10 of arranging the murder of Brown, who was shot 11 times in his driveway in December 20000, just days before he was to take office. Dorsey also was found guilty of 11 of 14 charges of widespread corruption in the sheriff's department. During the trial, prosecutors said Dorsey recruited the men who fatally shot Brown in December 2000, because the sheriff-elect was planning to expose corruption within the department. In February, a grand jury returned a 19-count indictment. Also during Thursday's sentencing hearing, five of Brown's family members testified. Phyllis Brown, wife of Derwin Brown, told Dorsey she didn't wish him death even though he brought death to her family. Officials consider Dorsey, who was an Atlanta police officer before serving as sheriff, a high-security risk. Authorities say they will make special housing arrangements for him. Most former police officers are at the medium security Wayne State Prison in Jesup in south Georgia, but prison officials think Dorsey is too high a risk for that. Dorsey's lawyers said they plan to appeal his conviction. WORKING TOGETHER TO ATTAIN FAIRNESS | ||
|
||
|
| ||
|
| ||
