Greetings–

When I introduce myself at community events, I always say, “I am Sherry Boston and it is my honor and privilege to serve as your DeKalb County District Attorney.” Those are not just words; I understand the incredible responsibility that comes with this role and how fortunate I am to hold it. 

In March, I filed paperwork to seek a third term as District Attorney and I am happy to say that I am running unopposed. I look forward to another four years of leading this office and safeguarding our community.

The first few months of 2024 have been incredibly busy. Our team has led successful prosecutions inside the courthouse and impactful events throughout the county. 

In February, our Love Run 5K reached an impressive milestone—the race has officially raised more than $100,000 for the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence since it began 9 years ago. 

In recognition of Second Chance Month, we worked with criminal justice and community partners to offer a Record Restriction Clinic. 

We have also increased our efforts to combat Human Trafficking by holding a training for DeKalb County law enforcement and by hiring a full time HT/Internet Crimes Against Children investigator to work across jurisdictional lines.

This month, I partnered with two other district attorneys to renew our fight against a new law that undermines the work of prosecutors across the state.

As I look back on all we have done so far in 2024, I am incredibly grateful for your support and the amazing team in my office who makes it all possible.

Sincerely,

Two Brothers Indicted in Decades-Old Home Invasion Rape Cases

Suspects Identified Through Work of Georgia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Task Force

On March 26, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Jeffrey Briney, 59, and David Briney, 62, in connection to two separate home invasion rape cases in from 1986 and 1987 in DeKalb County.

March 28, 1986 Case:

According to the investigation, on March 28, 1986 at around 9:45 p.m. four men pushed their way into an apartment on Briarwood Road in what is now the City of Brookhaven. The suspects held five college students at gunpoint and raped two young women before ransacking the apartment.

October 27, 1986 Case:

On October 27, 1986, two men with a handgun forced their way into an apartment in the 3000 block of Buford Highway. The assailants raped both women who lived there and then tied them up and left with valuables.

The cases went cold until 2023 when David and Jeffrey Briney were identified through the investigative work of the Georgia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (GASAKI) Task Force. GASAKI was established in 2018 in partnership with the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) as part of a multi-year, multi-million dollar federal grant under the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

The team consists of prosecutors, investigators, and victim advocates from the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office, the Prosecuting Attorneys Council (PAC), and CJCC (with resources from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department and Rape Response) working collaboratively to solve cold case sexual assault crimes.

Additionally, the GASAKI Task Force relies on the ongoing work and commitment of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab to process previously untested Sexual Assault Kits.

Read more about the indictments.

Investigators with the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney have identified nearly a dozen other cases that fit the same fact pattern. In addition, there were others involved in some of these crimes who have not yet been identified. Anyone who believes they have information about the Briney brothers or their unknown accomplices, please call the DA’s Cold Case Tip Line at

404-371-2444.

DeKalb County Criminal Justice Partners Host

Record Restriction Clinic in Honor of Second Chance Month

On April 13, DeKalb County restricted 147 criminal arrest records as part of a Record Restriction Clinic hosted by DeKalb County law enforcement, judicial stakeholders and community partners.

The event, held in recognition of Second Chance Month, occurred in conjunction with the Reentry Collaborative Summit hosted by the DeKalb Department of Community Supervision Office, offering individuals one location for a variety of reentry and legal services.

Record restriction shields old arrest and conviction information from public view and can improve opportunities for housing, jobs, and financial credit.

More than 240 eligible applications were accepted, with up to two arrests allowed per application. Applications were processed by the DeKalb County Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Solicitor-General’s Office, and Clerk of Superior Court.

Individuals who were unable to have their records restricted during the clinic were given the opportunity to schedule a consultation with an attorney from the Law Office of the DeKalb County Public Defender or the Georgia Justice Project to discuss legal options.

Read more.

The Record Restriction Clinic was hosted in partnership with Goodwill of North Georgia, The Georgia Department of Community Supervision and The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.

DA's Office Hosts Labor Trafficking Awareness Forum for

Law Enforcement and Community Members

In commemoration of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the DA’s Office hosted a forum to raise awareness of labor trafficking on January 31 at the Latin American Association – Atlanta Outreach Center. The forum featured two separate sessions focused on the dangers of labor trafficking.

Law enforcement officers, prosecutors and resource partners were invited to an afternoon session, Labor Trafficking: Making the Case, facilitated by Homeland Security Agent Chip Reagan and DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office Investigator Casey Benton. The session included a labor trafficking case study and best practices to prepare a case for prosecution.

The community was invited to participate in an evening session, Labor Trafficking: Hiding in Plain Sight, a conversation about the warning signs of labor trafficking, how to protect the community, and resources for victims. Attendees heard from speaker Maja Hasic, Anti-Human Trafficking Program Director with Tapestri.

DA Boston Hosts 9th Annual Love Run 5K

Race Hits $100,000 Fundraising Milestone

DA Boston thanks the community for joining her for the 9th Annual Love Run 5K on Saturday, February 24 on the Decatur Square.

DA Boston created the event in 2016 while serving as DeKalb County Solicitor-General to commemorate Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and raise funds for domestic violence survivors. Proceeds from the Love Run benefit the important work of the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence (WRC).

This year, the Love Run reached an impressive fundraising milestone having raised more than $100,000 for WRC since the event’s inception.

More than 360 runners and walkers pre-registered for the 9th annual race, one of the highest numbers of participants in the race’s history.

Join us on Saturday, February 22, 2025 for our 10 year anniversary!

Sign up today!

DeKalb County Touts New Investigator to Combat Human Trafficking

Genetic Genealogy Providing Invaluable Assist in

Solving Georgia Cold Cases

Georgia DAs Against Oversight Committee

File Lawsuit Against State

'Paw Patrol:' 7 New Therapy Dogs Sworn In at the

DeKalb County Courthouse

11 Alive, January 25, 2024

Seven new employees at the DeKalb County Courthouse are leaving their mark on the building. The newest members of the team are bringing the warm and fuzzy to an often cold and difficult job.

The DeKalb County Courthouse looms large over the City of Decatur-- with prosecutors trying the most heinous crimes.

"It's a really tough job, impossible most days," said Deputy Chief of the Homicide and Gang Unit Yolanda Lippert. 

She says her job is full of tough conversations, difficult decisions, and cuddles.

"Smiling, laughing, she's got great cuddles. And I can say with certainty that never happens in any other aspect of my job," she said. 

The veteran prosecutor shares a special bond with a brand new member of her team-- Yola.

Watch the story.

New Details Being Released About Warrants Out for

Two Officers Involved in Deadly Shooting

WSB-TV 2, February 29, 2024

Two police officers in DeKalb County have warrants out for their arrests for their roles in the shooting death of an unarmed man in his own home.

Former DeKalb police officer Russell Mathis and Officer Jordan Vance have until 5 p.m. on Friday to turn themselves in.

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s Office told Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach that they worked out arrangements with attorneys for both officers.

Watch the story.

To read about more news from the DA’s Office,

visit the News section of the website.

Legislative Achievement

Senior Assistant District Attorney Franklin Engram has helped change Georgia law to give a voice to disabled adults.

Engram wrote HB 218, which makes statements by mentally ill or developmentally disabled adults disclosing abuse admissible in criminal prosecutions.  

Engram and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jeanne Canavan, both of the Crimes Against Elder Persons & Adults with Disabilities Unit, joined Governor Brian Kemp at the state Capitol as he signed House Bill 218 into law.

DA Boston served as a panelist for a discussion about the role of the media in keeping the court open to the public, while also protecting the rights of victims and the accused. The panel was part of the 33rd Annual State Bar of Georgia Media and Judiciary Conference and included FOX 5 Journalist Dale Russell, Chatham County Judge Timothy Walmsley, Moderator Jonathan Ringel and Georgia State University College of Law Professor Eric Segall. 

Amanda Planchard, Director of Victim Services, participated in the 23rd annual Stand With Survivors Day (SWSD) at the Capitol. SWSD brings together intimate partner and sexual violence advocates, system stakeholders, and community constituents from across the State of Georgia to rally together and speak to their elected officials about legislation that effects intimate partner and sexual violence survivors, their families, and communities.

DA Boston presented as part of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia's 2024 Appellate Training. Her session focused on preparing attorneys for oral arguments, including how to know and connect with your audience.

The DA’s Office welcomed a group of students from Spelman College studying state and local government for a field trip to the DeKalb County Courthouse. Through their visit, the students were introduced to the many facets of the criminal justice system.

DA Boston and Angel Riley, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney of the Crime Strategies & Community Partnerships Unit, took part in the National District Attorneys Association’s Job Fair and Prosecutor Advocacy Day.

DA Boston joined fellow DeKalb County leaders and elected officials to celebrate DeKalb Day at the State Capitol.

Team members visited the City of Doraville Police Department to give a Domestic Violence and Strangulation training for 50 officers. This training is part of an ongoing effort by our office to educate first responders about the often-misunderstood signs of strangulation.  

Members of the DA’s Office attended the

Leading the Charge Awards Luncheon hosted

by DeKalb Pro Bono. The event recognizes

the work of attorneys who help to ensure

that all persons in our community have equal access to civil legal services.

DA Boston was honored to read to a group of 5th grade students at Talley Street Upper Elementary in recognition of Black History Month.

Members of the team hosted the DeKalb County Domestic Violence Task Force meeting. 

Senior Assistant District Attorney Latonia Hines with the Crime Strategies & Community Partnerships Unit participated in the DeKalb County Police Department Tucker Precinct’s February Coffee with a Cop event at Waffle House. 

Senior Assistant District Attorney Dionne McGee with the Crime Strategies & Community Partnerships Unit spent time presenting Criminal Justice 101 to 12 students in the DeKalb County Police Department PAL Career Development Program.

Several staff members served as presenters at Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia conferences, sharing their expertise with colleagues. At Winter Conference, Sam d’Entremont, Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Trial Division, presented “The Philosophy of Finding the Right Jurors” and “The Statewide Impact of Appeals”; Drew Healy, Director of Training, presented a “Case Law Update”; and Eddie Chase, Director of our Special Victims Unit, co-presented “Daubert: Casting a Wider Net” and “Presenting Medical Evidence of Child Abuse at Trial.” Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Scacco presented, “Effective Closing Arguments in Homicide Cases,” at the Advanced Murder Conference.