Across Georgia

Teacher surrenders in attack on student

MCDONOUGH - A former Henry County special education teacher was arrested and charged with simple battery in what witnesses described as an unprovoked and violent attack on an autistic student.

Richard David Powell III, 53, surrendered at the Henry County Jail after a pre-arrest hearing in state court Monday.

Angie Clouse and David Robertson, who were teacher aides in Mr. Powell's class for autistic students at Union Grove High School, testified that Mr. Powell "forward tackled" Edward Lee West IV, 17.

Teen may be charged in passenger's death

ATHENS - An Athens teen likely will be charged with vehicular homicide after an Athens man died Monday from injuries he received Saturday when he and two others were thrown from the teen's sport-utility vehicle that wrecked during a police chase in Hall County, authorities said.

Juan Castillo, 19, already charged with reckless driving and attempting to elude police, also faces a DUI charge lodged by the Georgia State Patrol.

One of Mr. Castillo's three passengers, 20-year-old Jorge Reyes, was pronounced dead Monday at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, officials said.

Attorney says client was indicted too late

JEFFERSON - Allegations of vehicular homicide and DUI against a Commerce man should be dismissed because prosecutors took too long to bring charges in the case, the man's attorney is arguing.

Chris Gene Leachman II was indicted last month on four charges stemming from a wreck more than three years ago that killed his wife.

The two DUI charges against Mr. Leachman are misdemeanors and should have been prosecuted within two years of the wreck, Athens attorney John Jay McArthur argues in a motion to dismiss the indictment.

Ex-director suspected of theft from center

ATHENS - The former director of an Oconee County Head Start Center has been charged with stealing money from a parent group at the center.

Christian F. Orobello, 31, is charged with felony theft by taking for allegedly writing checks to himself from an Oconee County Head Start Parent Group checking account.

- Edited from wire reports