On the heels of an endorsement from Rep. Tom Graves for Joe Hendricks comes what may turn out to be a major endorsement for Harry Doss.Although Graves is very well liked and one of the most popular U.S Congressional Representatives ever in Georgia; he will not be representing the 9th district in 2013. Instead he is running for the new 14th district where he resides. Graves has endorsed Hendricks in his bid for reelection.

Who could be a bigger endorsement than Graves? There have been statements made repeatedly by Harry Doss and B. Alison Sosebee regarding Hendricks and his poor working relationship with other agencies; the ones necessary to run the DA’s office in an efficient manner. Sosebee told us in an interview not to take her word for it just ask your Sheriff’s offices, City police, and Public Defender’s office. Doss said

“We have people just sitting in jail, a burden to the tax payers and the current DA is doing nothing about it.”

Sosebee said that the biggest thing holding up the Veteran’s court is the DA’s failure to assign a prosecutor to it.

Who would be the first to publicly validate the claims made by Doss and Sosebee? Who works closely with the DA’s office on a daily basis concerning the jail population? The Public Defender, Michael Parham.

Michael Parham has released a letter endorsing Harry Doss. Among many things he addresses in his letter Parham comments on the JQC investigation.

“Following the findings of two District Attorneys in other circuits, no charges will be brought, and the criminal investigation of Judge Doss is formally closed. There was no wrong doing. It disturbs me that no announcement of this outcome has been made by those who brought the allegations.”

Parham goes on to say that,

“Harry Doss is a man of integrity.” “I supported him as Judge, and I now support him as a candidate for District Attorney.”

Parham states the following concerning the duties of the DA’s office,

“The District Attorney — charged with prosecuting allegations of criminal actions — is responsible primarily to see that justice is done.” “It is important for the District Attorney to have a courteous and professional relationship with the defense bar — those lawyers who represents the criminally accused — so that cases are resolved fairly and promptly, those harmed by criminal actions are restored as fully and speedily as possible, and the costs associated with the criminal justice system are reasonable. And all of this depends on the fairness, the integrity, and the efficiency of the District Attorney and his or her staff.”

Hendricks has been criticized by his opponents concerning Drug, Mental Health, and Veterans Courts and the lack of the DA’s cooperation. Parham addresses this in his letter with,

“Our Circuit has an excellent Drug Court program, due largely to the efforts of our Chief Judge, Brenda Weaver. We have taken steps to offer a similar program for veterans. The Veterans Court would be a boon to the community, and especially to the families of Veterans who are struggling with drug use, PTSD, and other trauma related issues. But the program cannot be established or operate effectively without full support of the District Attorney.”

Parham closes his letter by saying,

“The District Attorney and the Circuit Public Defender are professional adversaries when justice requires, as in trial settings to determine guilt or innocence. But they need not be personal adversaries.”

In an interview with Hendricks FYN asked the DA about the claims from Doss and Sosebee that his office has poor relationships with other agencies and departments. Hendricks maintains that his office has a professional relationship with the courts and law enforcement agencies. He feels he has a good relationship with all agencies and courts. Hendricks says the DA’s office has operated independently from these offices. Hendricks pointed out how when taking office he revamped the drug task force.

Hendricks may have good working relationships with other offices in the circuit but according to Michael Parham it’s not with the Public Defender.

Is Doss correct when he says,

“We have people sitting in jail, a burden to the tax payers and the current DA is doing nothing about it.”

FYN welcomes a written response from DA Hendricks concerning Parham’s letter and our article.