Across the region

Broadway producer will help with anthem

ATLANTA - The marketing team working to revamp Atlanta's image has added a Broadway producer to its cast.

Kenny Leon, who is filming an update of A Raisin in the Sun for Sony Pictures, will join Atlanta music mogul Dallas Austin to write an anthem for the city.

The two have signed on with Brand Atlanta, the $4.5 million campaign the city will launch next month to try to better market Atlanta as a tourist destination. The song is expected to debut during the Oct. 24 Monday Night Football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets.

Investigators delve into police timecards

JEFFERSON, GA. - State investigators took pay records and timecards from the Jefferson Police Department as part of an investigation into allegations of theft of city property and forgery of time cards.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation inquiry comes after a city councilman revealed the department paid former officer Mario Johnson for working with the football team at Jefferson High School.

Mr. Johnson, who had earlier been cleared of any wrongdoing for using city gasoline in his personal vehicle, resigned from the department in July.

The GBI was asked to investigate by prosecutor Rick Malone, who is heading an investigation of the department.

Man shoots his wife, then kills himself

OGLETHORPE, GA. - A Montezuma man shot his estranged wife and then killed himself Monday night at a Macon County trailer park, investigators said.

Irene Mann, 38, is in stable condition at the Columbus Medical Center after her husband, James Mann, shot her more than once at about 9:50 p.m., said Danny Jackson, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation special agent in charge.

"He went into the (home) and shot Ms. Mann, and then turned the gun on himself," Agent Jackson said. Mr. Mann died at the scene, the agent said.

The shootings happened in front of the Manns' adult daughter while their 14-year-old son was outside.

Suspect in slaying is shot during scuffle

COLUMBUS, GA. - A police officer shot a slaying suspect as the suspect wrestled with another officer.

Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren said officer Katina Williams fired one shot Sunday night at Darrel Boggans, 30, as he grappled with officer Dean Spata.

The bullet hit Mr. Boggans in the shoulder blade. He was taken to The Medical Center, where he was treated and released. After the shooting, another officer recognized Mr. Boggans, who was wanted in a fatal shooting last January.

Gaston men charged with killing couple

LEXINGTON, S.C. - Two Gaston men have been charged with murder in the Sept. 5 shooting death of a Lexington County couple, Sheriff James Metts said Tuesday.

Darrell Burgess and Michael Tallus Wise, both 27, are accused of shooting Kim Marie Fauscette, 40, and David Lee Slice, 42. The men also were charged with possessing a weapon while committing a violent crime.

James Anthony Johnson, 52, also of Gaston, is accused of witnessing the killings and helping Mr. Burgess get a rental car after the crime.

Middle school boys charged in death plot

PICKENS, S.C. - Two Pickens Middle School pupils have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in a plot to kill a school resource officer and another pupil.

One of the boys, 12, also is accused of shooting at his father.

A friend had told the boy's parents their son and an 11-year-old planned to go to the school Monday "to sell drugs and shoot some people," according to a police report.

Court mandates order to treat sex offenders

CHARLESTON, S.C. - State probation officials may not require convicted sex offenders to get treatment without a court order, a state judge ruled in a decision that could affect dozens of cases.

Circuit Court Judge Jackson Gregory, ruling in a case earlier this month, said the state Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole Services has no right to impose extra conditions beyond those set by a judge.