Fulton County’s District Attorney is requesting a reassignment in the case of Rayshard Brooks — the Black man who was killed outside of a Wendy’s by Atlanta police. As CNN reported, District Attorney Fani T. Willis wants Attorney General Chris Carr to replace Paul Howard with an alternative prosecutor.
According to Willis, Howard mishandled the case when he used the video of Brook’s horrific shooting in his campaign ad. “I believe his conduct, including using video evidence in campaign television advertisements, may have violated Georgia Bar Rule 3.8(g),” she wrote in a letter to Carr.
She also cited Howard’s issuance of subpoena to a grand jury that wasn’t even in existence — an allegation that is currently being examined by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
Willis is also calling for a new prosecutor in a case related to two Black college students who pulled from their cars by Atlanta police during a George Floyd protest
“I believe both matters create sufficient question of the appropriateness of this office continuing to handle the investigation and possible prosecution of these cases that the public interest is served by disqualifying this office and referring the matter to specially appointed prosecutor,” Willis’ letter read.
Carr’s office is “awaiting additional information necessary to initiate the process for appointing a substitute prosecutor,” according to Shawn Corey, a spokesperson for the attorney general.
Attorneys for Brooks’ family were surprised by Willis’ request, but hope that the case is given to someone who would “use the full resources of their office to prosecute these officers.”
Brooks was approached in June by an Atlanta officer Garrett Rolfe, who responded to calls of a man sleeping in his car in the Wendy’s drive-thru. He reportedly resisted arrest and stole the officer’s taser after failing a Breathalyzer test he was given for suspected drunk driving. He was shot in the back as he attempted to run away and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital nearby.