Residents plan protest over Douglas coroner suspension battle
Douglas County coroner files appeal over proposed suspension
A legal challenge is officially underway after state officials moved to suspend Douglas County Coroner Renee Godwin for six months.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - A state panel is moving to suspend Douglas County Coroner Renee Godwin for 180 days while county commissioners say discipline falls outside their legal authority, according to the Georgia Coroner's Training Council.
What we know:
During a Tuesday morning meeting, the council revealed its attorneys are working to schedule an appeal hearing after the Georgia Coroner's Training Council sent a formal letter of intent to suspend Douglas County Coroner Rene Godwin for 180 days.
Godwin is currently serving her third term in office.
The council also took action to decertify a key deputy coroner within her department.
Council member Michael Fowler noted that taking this step against an elected official marks unprecedented action for the state panel. "We have never did this before the council. We are treading on new territory. We are trying to do what's right," Fowler said.
While state regulations require the official intent letter to detail supporting evidence for a suspension, the council has not publicly released its specific findings.
Council attorney Deborah Gore stated the board should not discuss the open investigation.
However, county commissioners have heard testimony outlining complaints that range from sloppy work and poor communication to payroll issues.
What we don't know:
The council has not publicly revealed the specific findings of its investigation.
An attorney for the council said officials cannot elaborate on the probe.
County leaders maintain the coroner's office is an elected position, meaning discipline falls outside their purview beyond setting the budget.
It remains unclear when the requested appeal hearing will take place or whether the state board will uphold the 180-day suspension following the proceedings.
The backstory:
The Douglas County Commission maintained that because the coroner position is an elected office, disciplinary action falls outside the county board's legal authority.
County officials stated their purview over the coroner's office is strictly limited to managing its budget.
Local residents expressed frustration over the situation during a Tuesday morning meeting.
"They've never had a coroner mess up like this," Douglas County resident Tammy Hicks said. "They 've done everything they can do, but it's up to the commissioners in Douglasville. They need to get on the stick and do something."
What's next:
In response to the deadlock between state power and county jurisdiction, local taxpayers are organizing a public protest.
Hicks said community members are hosting a protest rally on Friday that will travel from the county courthouse to the coroner's office and all the way to the governor's office in Atlanta.
FOX 5 reached out to the Governor's Office which stated it lacked executive authority to step in:
"While our office is continuing to monitor this situation, there is no avenue in Georgia statute for the Governor to unilaterally remove a coroner from office."
The march aims to push state and local leadership into taking immediate action.
"Trying to get somebody to hear us," Hicks said.
Previous stories
- Douglas County coroner facing 6-month suspension after vote
- Douglas County coroner under state investigation
- State council reviews fate of Douglas County Coroner
- Meeting erupts as families demand ouster of Douglas coroner
- Douglas coroner faces state probe over office mismanagement
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from official public statements made by Georgia Coroner's Training Council member Michael Fowler and council attorney Deborah Gore, county commission meeting proceedings, and direct interviews with Douglas County resident Tammy Hicks.