Published: November 12, 2009 10:26 am      

DA asks for special prosecutor in judge’s case

ATLANTA (AP) — A North Georgia district attorney has asked that a special prosecutor be named to determine whether criminal charges should be brought against a Superior Court judge.

Joe Hendricks, district attorney for Pickens, Fannin and Gilmer counties, made the request Wednesday to state Attorney General Thurbert Baker. Superior Court Judge Oliver Harris Doss Jr. was charged Monday with 11 counts of judicial misconduct.

Hendricks said an outside prosecutor is needed because his office already has knowledge of and has been affected by the alleged misconduct.

Doss is accused of taking state computers, insulting and threatening court staff and repeatedly failing to rule on cases within the 30 days allowed by law.

Doss has said he’ll resign from the Superior Court of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit effective Dec. 5.

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Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com