Thursday, April 28, 2011
Porn trial Sept. 12 for ex- teacher
A former Bristol middle school teacher accused of possessing nearly 600 images of child pornography faces a Sept. 12 trial in Sullivan County.
Randall Scott McCoy, 48, is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor for allegedly possessing the images.
The Kingsport Times-News reports that a judge set the trial date as a prosecutor argued that bail for the former band director should be increased.
A hearing on whether to increase McCoy's bail was set for May 11.
Mother, daughter die after fire
Authorities say a mother and her 4-year-old daughter have died after an apartment fire in south Fulton County.
The fire was at the Camelot Apartments near Old National Highway.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the child died at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, and the mother died at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Authorities say a man was also taken to Grady for treatment of burns to his arm.
Fulton County Fire Deputy Chief Jack Butler told WSB-TV that thermal imaging cameras were used to see through thick smoke to find and rescue the woman and her daughter.
Deal plans boost for his re-election
Gov. Nathan Deal - in office for less than four months - is already looking to fill the campaign coffers for his re-election campaign in 2014.
Deal is set to host a $1,000-per-person fundraising luncheon May 10 in Atlanta.
The 68-year-old Republican told The Associated Press earlier this month that he plans to seek a second term.
Deal's successful campaign for governor spent about $8.4 million and ended with less than $51,000 cash on hand.
Elected officials were barred from raising campaign money during the legislative session, which wrapped up April 14.
Donors who attend the May 10 fundraiser can be a patron by contributing $1,500. Sponsors must write a check for $6,300.
Off-duty officer's actions examined
Atlanta police say they've placed an officer on administrative duty after a video surfaced that shows a confrontation inside a restaurant.
Police spokesman Carlos Campos says the department's Office of Professional Standards is investigating to determine whether the officer acted within guidelines. Campos declined to identify the officer, but said he was off-duty and working an extra job at the restaurant.
WSB-TV first reported the video, which it says was shot inside the restaurant in the early morning of Easter Sunday.
The video shows a man involved in a confrontation with a group of people at a table.
Cynthia Freeman told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she and her friends were seated at a table when a man approached her and "just attacked me."