Douglas County coroner facing 6-month suspension after vote
Douglas County coroner gets 180 day suspension
The Georgia Coroner's Training Council voted to suspend Douglas County Coroner Renee Godwin for six months following an investigation into office mismanagement.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - The Douglas County coroner faces a six-month suspension following an investigation and ruling by the Coroner's Training Council.
Coroner Training Council ruling
What we know:
The Coroner's Training Council voted to issue a letter of intent for a 180-day suspension against local coroner Renee Godwin.
The ruling followed a lengthy investigation and multiple hearings, though council members left the meeting without adding public comments or detailing their findings.
Back in June, Godwin admitted that her deputies had not been sworn in by a judge as required by law.
Critics have also leveled allegations of office mismanagement, sloppy work and poor communication with grieving families.
Douglas County coroner suspended following investigation
Douglas County Coroner Renee Godwin has been suspended for six months following a lengthy investigation into the operation of her office. The Georgia Coroners Training Council voted unanimously Monday to suspend Godwin for 180 days. Kevyn Stewart reporting.
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Family members seek justice
What they're saying:
Stephanie Lewallen and Kenya Mitchell, who both testified about their concerns earlier this summer, attended the ruling. Lewallen previously questioned the suicide ruling in the death of her ex-husband, Kenneth Massey.
Mitchell disputed the autopsy results for her son, Malachi Mitchell, who died in a shooting after deputies found his body during a traffic stop involving the shooter's car. The district attorney's office ruled that shooting was done in self-defense. She says she has incorrectly been denied an inquest.
"I'm thankful she will be suspended for the 180 days, but she should have been decertified," Mitchell said. Lewallen added, "I would have loved for her to be completely decertified, but I'm satisfied with this".
History of office scrutiny
The backstory:
This is not the first time Godwin's office has faced official scrutiny. In 2019, a grand jury recommended Godwin's removal after finding unethical and unprofessional practices, though the training council did not remove her at that time.
Along with suspending Godwin during this recent hearing, the council announced plans to draft a letter of intent to decertify one of her top deputies, Carmen Chandler. "This had to be done. Renee and Carmen," Lewallen said.
Ongoing administrative process
What we don't know:
The council has not publicly released the full findings of its investigation. It remains unclear when the suspension takes official effect or who will oversee day-to-day operations during the six-month period.