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Carey Clark
Carey Clark

After 5:30 pm tonight, a Newton County jury found Carey Donovan Clark guilty of 6 counts of Cruelty to Children in the 2nd Degree and 1 count of Aggravated Battery. These charges stem from the abuse and neglect of multiple children, all under 10 years of age. This includes making the children perform exercises and not providing the necessary sustenance to the children. A doctor from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta testified that what the children endured was torture.


In December of 2023, the codefendant, Nora Rodgers was sentenced for her involvement in these abuse and neglect to 60 years with the first 30 years in confinement. That sentence recognized the seriousness of the abuse and neglect. As stated at the time of her sentence: "Over the years the children had suffered torture under the guise of punishment. They were forced to do extreme bootcamp style exercises. They would have to run laps, squats with large logs from the yard, jumping jacks, etc., for extended time periods and to the point of exhaustion and injury. They would often have to perform these exercises in the middle of the night and in the heat of summer. When the exercises were not performed to Rodgers liking, she would then beat them. Rodgers would also spar with children, striking and hitting them."





Clark's case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Bailey Wilkinson, Senior Victim Advocate Shay Payne, Investigator Jeff Diller, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Sheila Cornelius. The investigator and arrest was handled by the Newton County Sheriff's Office, led by Investigator Jocelyn Detweiler. Newton County and Cherokee County DFCS was also involved in the matter. The victims received services from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and A Child's Voice Child Advocacy Center.


After the verdict, the Court ordered the Defendant to be taken into custody until a later sentencing date and ordered a pre-sentencing investigation report to be completed.


"I want to thank the hard work of the prosecution team, the law enforcement officers, and the other agencies that were involved in this case. The dedication to the victims over the last 4 and a half years is inspiring. And, as I said after Rodger's sentencing, a special thanks goes to the foster parents who cared for the children after their abuse and family of the children who reported the abuse. Those that step up to raise and care for children that have been abused are truly angels. - DA Randy McGinley

 
 
 
Charles Edwards Stanley, III
Charles Edwards Stanley, III

Just after 1pm today, a Newton County jury returned a verdict finding Shane Alexander Robinson guilty of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony. After the verdict, the Court set sentencing for a later date. Robinson remains in custody.


The charges stem from an incident on March 5, 2022, on Harvey Wood Drive. Evidence at trial showed that Robinson shot an AR style firearm 13 times into the vehicle Stanley was driving. Stanley was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound he received. A co-defendant’s case is still pending.


The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Amber Dally, Investigator Justin Hipps, Victim Services Director Leslie Smith, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Anna Sugg. The investigation was handled by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the GBI Crime Lab.


Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit

 
 
 

Last month, Stephen James Taffe pleaded guilty to First Degree Vehicular Homicide, DUI, Driving While License Suspended, Following Too Closely, and Open Container. During the Memorial Day 2023 weekend, the Defendant struck a vehicle driven by Angelina Fuller (pictured) from behind, which led to the death of Ms. Fuller. Later testing found that the Defendant’s blood alcohol level was 0.284, more than 3 times the legal limit.

Angelina Fuller
Angelina Fuller

It was also discovered that the Defendant’s vehicle had an ignition interlock device installed. This device requires a breath sample to test for alcohol prior to allowing the vehicle to operate and was installed because of Taffe’s prior DUI conviction.


At the sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito presented evidence from the ignition interlock device company that showed the device was tampered with, allowing the Defendant to drive his car while under the influence of alcohol. The Court also heard a 911 call from a concerned citizen who was attempting to help law enforcement find the defendant’s vehicle after she saw him driving extremely erratically. During the hearing, the State discussed recorded jail calls from the defendant that showed a lack of remorse. Finally, the court heard from numerous friends and family members of Ms. Fuller about the impact her death has had on them. 


After hearing the evidence and argument from the State and defense, the Court accepted the State’s sentencing recommendation of 17 years in confinement. This amounts to the maximum sentence allowed under the law for these offenses. 


The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito, Investigator Josh Shumate, Senior Victim Advocate Shay Payne, Trial Assistant Ellen Bales, and Legal Assistant Lila Geiger. The investigation was led by the Georgia State Patrol with assistance from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Crime Lab, and the DA’s Office. 


"When someone drives under the influence, it turns their car into a weapon that can kill. Any loss of life due to a DUI driver is unacceptable and tragic, but this case is especially egregious. Not only did Taffe have a history of DUIs and he was extremely intoxicated, but he also took steps to bypass a device installed in his car that was designed to stop him from driving if he had alcohol in his system. 


Nothing will undo the loss Ms. Fuller’s family suffered. But I hope this sentence can send a message to every driver out there that driving under the influence is unacceptable.”


Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit

 
 
 

Newton County:

T: 770-784-2070

Walton County

T: 770-267-1355

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