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CNN Live Event/Special

Dorsey Sentenced to Life for Murder

Aired August 15, 2002 - 14:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Taking you to a courthouse outside Atlanta, Georgia, where Judge Cynthia Becker is now announcing the sentence of a former county sheriff.
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CYNTHIA BECKER, SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE: All right. As to count one, I sentence you to life as is required.

As to count two, that is Racketeering-influenced Corrupt Organizations Act, dealing with specifically with 1614-4a, that is a separate component, a separate act, and a separate crime, from murder.

Particularly, in regard to that crime, it was shown and proved that you acquired property and monies through your activities. With regard to count two, I sentence you to 15 years to run concurrent with the sentence I have just pronounced as to count one.

Count three, Racketeering-Influenced Corruptions Act, is a separate and distinct crime, pursuant to OCGA 16-14-4b. Particularly, it was your activities involving the enterprise of the sheriff's department.

This one in particular has been the most difficult for those that served under you. I had heard evidence of the many good things you did while sheriff. Unfortunately, the things you did that were corrupt of that office, cast a blemish an a pall on that department, and those fine people.

I sentence you to 20 years consecutive to the sentence I had pronounced as to counts one and two.

As to counts four and five, you were found not guilty. As to count six, violation of oath of office, which included specifically the bribery counts, the jury did not find you guilty of the specified acts of bribery.

However, the violation of oath of office is drafted in the indictment specifically provided for the violation of your oath as sheriff under 15-16-4.

However, in view of the fact that they did not find you guilty of bribery, I sentence you to three years in regard to that to run consecutive to the previous counts.

As to count seven, theft by taking, that count in particular related to your activities in sending folks in furtherance of your business, your private security business, SID (ph). I find in particular, and there was evidence provided at trial, that that theft was in excess of $500. It is a felony count, it was a breach of your fiduciary duties as high sheriff. In response to that count, I sentence you to 15 years. That is to run concurrent to the other sentence.

With regard to count eight, another theft by taking count, that dealt with transportation and errands and, again, abuse of those folks, and property and vehicles. Again, I found the evidence at trial educed and testified by numerous individuals, that that was in excess of $500, and is a felony count, again, in part due to the amount taken from the people of DeKalb County, and also a violation of your fiduciary capacity as a public official. I sentence you with regard to that count to ten years to run concurrent.

With regard to count nine, again, that was the repair and transport, again, based on the testimony of the individuals who were required to perform the repairs and transportation, the evidence clearly showed that that was in excess of $500. A felony count and a breach of your fiduciary duty as a public official. I sentence you with regard to that count, count nine, ten years to run concurrent.

Count ten. With regard to those additional and unique repairs and transport. Again, evidence was provided through live testimony that that was in excess, that that was in excess of $500. It is a felony count, and a breach of your fiduciary capacity. I sentence you to 10 years to run concurrent.

With regard to count 11, that was sending -- I believe it was Noah Heimlich (ph) to Chattanooga, Tennessee to unlock your daughter's car, again, based on the testimony in terms of the hours, the time it took away from a DeKalb County employee, which DeKalb County taxpayers paid for, and sending him across state lines, the hours involved, I find that that is in excess of $500 in value, and a felony count. I sentence you to 10 years on that count, and that will run concurrent.

With regard to count 12. That dealt with sending DeKalb County Sheriff's Deputies, employees, to take you and your family to Disney World in Florida. Again, that value was testified to. This court finds that that was in excess of $500, a felony count, and a breach of your fiduciary capacity.

WHITFIELD: All right. You have been listening to the sentencing of former DeKalb County Sheriff Sidney Dorsey, getting life and some, at least 25 years, for the murder of sheriff-elect Derwin Brown, as well as other charges including racketeering, theft, and violation of oath of office.

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