MAY JUSTICE PREVAIL IN SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

I was unaware that District Attorney Brian Rickman was on the board of
the Narcotics Criminal Investigations and Suppression team (NCIS) that
was involved in the Ayers shooting.

While I do not doubt Mr. Rickman's integrity I do believe that there
should be a special prosecutor appointed in the Ayers case.

Any appearance of impropriety must be avoided. While I understand and
applaud the sensitivity being show to Rev. Ayers' family I do not
believe that the appointment of a special prosecutor is relevant to
his families feelings. This is a criminal matter, not a civil one.

This case is being closely watched by people all over the state and
nation.

While we all want closure as quickly as possible, anything but the
appointment of a special prosecutor is going to be seen with cynicism.

Frankly everyone I know outside of Toccoa believes there will be a
cover-up and whitewash. My white friends think I'm a fool to have any
faith in "the system" and my black friends shrug and say "now you're
going to see how it is."

I am hopeful that Mr. Rickman and the people of Toccoa/Stephens Co.
will show the world how it should be, not how it has been elsewhere.
May justice prevail.

Randolph C Williams

Toccoa