• Publication: The Atlanta Constitution
• Author: Rebecca McCarthy, Staff Writer
• Original Publication Date: Thursday, October 1, 1992

Frustrated with slow progress in a high-profile slaying case in Athens, a state representative has asked Gov. Zell Miller to request that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation take control of the probe.

Rep. Charles “Judy” Poag (D-Eton) has asked that Mr. Miller order the GBI to replace the Athens/Clarke County Police Department as the principal agency handling the case of Jennifer Stone, a University of Georgia student from Roswell who was found strangled in her off-campus house in Athens last April.

“I have a daughter myself at UGA, and I’m concerned for her safety and the safety of all students,” said Mr. Poag, who was Murray County sheriff before his election to the Georgia House four years ago. “I have no political motivation in this and have no axes to grind. I just feel like the work that needs to be done hasn’t been done.”

A law enforcement department can ask for the GBI’s help; usually those that do are ones in smaller communities without large staffs, authorities said.

Georgia law gives the governor the power to request that the GBI assist in criminal investigations.

“The governor has received the letter and is considering his response,” said Mr. Miller’s spokesman, Chuck Reece.

Mr. Poag said in his letter that “the police officers in Athens-Clarke County have not asked the GBI to come in and take charge of the murder investigation.” He acknowledged that the GBI has assisted at the crime scene, done some lab work and conducted some interviews, but asked that the agency take charge of things.

“We’re already working hand-in-hand with the GBI,” said Athens/Clarke County Police Chief Ronald Chandler. “I’m not aware of any conflict. They’re working with us every day and have an agent assigned to the case. It would be unusual for the governor to remove us from this case.”

Chief Chandler said he was surprised by Mr. Poag’s involvement. He added that his department has both the staff and the expertise needed to solve murder cases, saying, “We’ve got people assigned and are doing everything we can to solve it.”