Greetings–

As 2022 comes to a close, we find ourselves grateful for the relative normalcy we enjoyed this year after more than two years in the thick of the pandemic. In the second half of the year alone, we gathered with the community for several face-to-face events, secured a number of significant convictions, and hosted our annual staff awards ceremony in person for the first time since 2019.

I was honored to receive the President’s Award of Excellence from the National Black Prosecutors Association in August, and to collaborate with the Georgia Justice Project on the October launch of Restorative Justice Georgia, the first restorative justice program in the state.

An event several years in the making came to fruition in October when my team hosted more than 300 law enforcement officials and first responders for a specialized training on the often misunderstood crime of strangulation.

I’m proud of all we accomplished in 2022 and our efforts to continue moving justice forward. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention that those who have been impacted by senseless gun violence and the innocent children who have been lost to accidental shootings this past year are at the top of our minds as we set priorities for the new year and continue to advocate for the prevention of violent crime before it occurs.

As we close out 2022 and look forward to 2023, I remain committed to our vision of a better, safer DeKalb for all. Thank you for entrusting me with this work. It is indeed my honor and my privilege to serve.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season!

Sincerely,

DA Boston was presented with the National Black Prosecutors Association (NBPA) 2022 President’s Award of Excellence at the organization’s 39th Annual Conference and Job Fair in Houston, Texas on August 3.

The President’s Award of Excellence is presented each year to an individual that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in service and commitment to furthering the overall goals and objectives of the NBPA; advancement in education, recruitment, retention and promotion of African American prosecutors; perpetuating the history of the profession and the memory of its members; and providing service to our communities.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the National Black Prosecutors Association in this manner,” said DA Boston. “I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I have a responsibility to mentor those who will come after me. It is an honor and a privilege to serve my community.”

DA Boston served as the Chair for NBPA’s 36th Annual Conference and Job Fair that was held in Atlanta in July 2019. The conference attracted hundreds of participants from prosecution agencies across the country seeking training and insight on a wide array of prosecution strategies, protocols, and best practices.

Left to right: Henry County District Attorney Darius Pattillo, Fulton County Solicitor-General Keith E. Gammage, Gwinnett County Solicitor-General Elect Lisamarie Bristol, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston, Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine, Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita R. Howard, and Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady, Jr.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, DA Boston gathered more than 300 law enforcement officials, 911 dispatchers, paramedics, police officers, prosecutors, court staff, judges and advocates for a specialized training on the often misunderstood crime of strangulation. Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence and sexual assault. It is a terrifying experience for a victim, and an extreme measure of power and control. The consequences can be devastating, if not deadly.

“Domestic Violence Strangulation: Identifying, Investigating & Prosecuting,” was led by the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, and featured experts in the field of non-fatal strangulation and suffocation assaults in intimate partner violence cases. Attendees learned about the lethality of strangulation, its link to other crimes, signs and symptoms to look and listen for, and how to advocate for traumatized victims.

One of the most moving and eye-opening elements of the training was an account from “Mary,” a strangulation survivor. Mary shared, “I started to beg for my life. He was on top of me and put the strength of his arm on me until I passed out.” When asked about any visible signs of the abuse, she stated, “I had pain in my neck and jaw, but there was nothing visible. That’s the most scared I’ve been in my life. I wasn’t bleeding. I did not have any broken bones. But even if you don’t have physical injuries, you’ve still gone through the trauma.”

The Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney thanks Mary for sharing her impactful story, and DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, who sponsored the training.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in a relationship, call 911 if there is immediate danger. If there is not immediate danger, please call the toll-free 24-hour Georgia Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-33-HAVEN (4-2836) voice/TTY in Georgia.

Bottom photo, left to right: Joanna Helsby, Deputy Chief ADA, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Unit; Jennifer Stolarski, Chief Assistant District Attorney & Chief of Staff; Gerald Fineman, Faculty, Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention; Edward Chase, Director, Special Victims Unit; Lt. Dan Rincon, Faculty, Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention; District Attorney Sherry Boston; Angel Riley, Deputy Chief ADA, Crime Strategies & Community Partnerships Unit; and Jonathan Gordon, Senior ADA, Crime Strategies & Community Partnerships Unit.

The Prosecutors Refusing to Criminalize Abortion

Vera, September 19, 2022

Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, roughly half of all states have or are expected to soon enact bans on abortion. These laws could lead to criminal charges against people seeking abortion care, reproductive care providers, and those who facilitate abortion services.

Although conservative state legislatures have already begun to criminalize abortion, enforcement of these laws will depend on choices by law enforcement and, critically, by prosecutors like district and state’s attorneys.

Read the story.

Ex-boyfriend Gets Life Without Parole for Murdering DeKalb Postal Worker

AJC, September 23, 2022

Tyrika Terrell was scared that her ex-boyfriend and the father of her child would hurt her, according to investigators. He had threatened her, saying he would be waiting when she finished working at a DeKalb County post office.

Quantez Tyre had been telling the truth, a jury determined.

Tyre was convicted of malice murder in the death of Terrell, who was 22 years old, according to the DeKalb County district attorney. The jury also convicted him of two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Read the story.

In October, the Georgia Justice Project (GJP) announced the launch of Restorative Justice Georgia (RJG) – the first restorative justice program in the state that will utilize innovative and rehabilitative processes to address harms caused by felony offenses. Restorative justice is a victim-centered process that facilitates dialogue among the person responsible for a crime and the person who was harmed by the crime, and creates a path for accountability. District Attorney’s offices around the state, including the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney, will refer eligible cases where the victim of a crime is interested in participating in a facilitated dialogue.

DeKalb and Douglas County District Attorney’s offices have been working with GLP to develop referral protocols and an outline for their agencies’ participation in the program. “We are excited to partner with Georgia Justice Project on this innovation in criminal justice,” said DA Boston. “This work allows victims’ voices and needs to become an integral part of the discussion regarding offender accountability in a substantive, meaningful, and mutually beneficial way that stretches beyond traditional punitive measures.” Read more.

In December, two known gang members, Cordarius Dorsey associated with Slaughter Gang and YSL (Young Slime Life), and Quintavious Jackson associated with Slaughter Gang, were convicted and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus five years in connection with the armed robbery and shooting death of Sulaiman Jalloh, 39. Defendant Dorsey, 33, was found guilty on charges of Malice Murder, three counts of Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon During Commission of a Crime, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony. Defendant Jackson, 29, was found guilty on two counts of Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony. Read more.

Clunis Calvert pleaded guilty in October to charges of Vehicular Homicide in the First Degree, four counts of Serious Injury by Vehicle, and DUI-Per Se in connection with the deadly crash that claimed the life of 4-month-old Matias Montoya and injured his family members. Calvert lost control while attempting to pass another vehicle, crossed the median and struck the victim’s vehicle head-on. His Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) at the time of the fatal crash was approximately .09 BAC. Read more.

De’monte Anderson was convicted of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in September in connection with the shooting death of Dwayne Roberts. Anderson falsely accused Roberts, an off-duty ride-share driver, of having an affair with his girlfriend. He was shot in the driver’s seat of his vehicle in an apartment parking lot after offering Anderson’s girlfriend a ride. Read more.

Local rapper, Qamar “Q Money” Williams, was convicted in September on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder (two counts), Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the shooting death of his friend, Calvin “Scotty” Chappell, 24. Chappell, who was shot more than half a dozen times, was asleep when he was killed. The motive remains unknown. Read more.

Quantez Tyre, a Decatur man accused of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend at the post office where she worked, was convicted in September on charges of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The fatal incident occurred on November 27, 2017 at the Wesley Chapel Post Office in Decatur where the victim, 22-year-old Tyrika Terrell, worked. Read more.

A member of the notorious “Drug Rich” hybrid criminal street gang originating from Stone Mountain has been sentenced to life without parole plus 45-years in prison after being convicted of murder and related charges. 26-year-old William Moore-Earvin was convicted in September in connection with the July, 2020 shooting death of 19-year-old Andrew Miller. Victim Miller and a friend met with the Defendant to purchase a handgun and sell a rifle. During the attempted sale, Defendant Moore-Earvin shot and killed Miller. The suspects’ social media records revealed videos of Defendant Moore-Earvin and two co-defendants celebrating hours after the shooting. The victim’s gun, stolen from the scene, was spotted in one of the videos. Read more.

DA Boston participated in the Fall Festival at Exchange Park Recreation Center in October.

DA team members and their families competed in the DKPD Police Athletic League (PAL) 5K Run/Walk. Congrats to Parker Aziz, Senior ADA, and first place finisher!

In September, DA Boston served as a faculty member at the National District Attorneys Association's Office Administration Course in Charleston to discuss community outreach, criminal justice reform and staff retention, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Staff participated in several National Faith & Blue celebrations the first weekend of October. Faith & Blue Weekend facilitates safer and stronger communities by engaging law enforcement officers and local residents through the connections of faith-based organizations.

Members of the Crime Strategies & Community Partnerships Unit participated in Coffee With A Cop events in September.

Staff traveled to several locations throughout the community for the National Night Out celebration in August. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

Leadership DeKalb 2023

Shannon Hodder, Deputy Chief ADA, Trial Division, and Angel Riley, Deputy Chief ADA, Crime Strategies & Community Partnerships Unit, were both selected for Leadership DeKalb’s Class of 2023.

Founded in 1986 by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, Leadership DeKalb is one of the metro area’s premiere leadership development programs. Through its robust curriculum, the program connects, educates, and trains leaders from a cross-section of industries throughout the region with the purpose of assisting them with impacting and transforming the communities in which they live, work, and serve from a leadership-informed and inspired perspective.

In August, DA Boston honored the hard work and dedication of several team members celebrating years of service ranging from 10 to 35 years with DeKalb County.

In December, DA Boston honored the hard work and dedication of three team members celebrating 10 and 15 years of service with the State of Georgia.