D.A. COKER TO PROBE REMOVAL SPALDING CO. COURT CLERK

GEORGIA GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL HAS ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SUSPENDING SPALDING COUNTY'S CLERK OF COURTS MARSHA NORRIS FOR 60 DAYS. THE ORDER WAS SIGNED TODAY(THURSDAY DEC. 14TH.)

THE GOVERNOR ALSO ORDERED GRIFFIN CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER TO REVIEW THE REPORT OF AN INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE AND ASCERTAIN IF A REMOVAL FROM OFFICE PETITION SHOULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST CLERK NORRIS BASED ON THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER SAID THE COMMITTEE COMPOSED --OF CLERKS OF COURT IN TWO OTHER GEORGIA COUNTIES AND STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL CHRIS CARR—CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE WILLFUL FAILURE OF CLERK NORRIS TO FULFILL HER DUTIES AS CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR AND STATE COURTS OF SPALDING COUNTY, SHE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE FOR 60 DAYS AND FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THE D.A. BRING A REMOVAL PETITION AGAINST MS. NORRIS.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY COKER, SPALDING SHERIFF DARRELL DIX AND OTHER COURT OFFICIALS WROTE THE GOVERNOR WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND GOVERNOR DEAL ORDERED THE INVESTIGATION IN AUGUST.

ONE ALLEGATION INVOLVES FAILURE TO REPORT ON A TIMELY BASIS, CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS IN THE COURTS OF SPALDING COUNTY TO THE GBI CRIME DATA BASE .