R. Robin McDonald

Daily Report reporter R. Robin McDonald's journalism career includes stints as a staff writer at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Wichita Eagle, and The Anniston Star and as a trial tracker at CourtTV and CNN. She is the author of two true crime books -- Black Widow: The True Story of the Hilley Poisonings and Secrets Never Lie: The Death of Sara Tokars.

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December 30, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Signing Off: A Reporter Bids Farewell

R. Robin McDonald has reported on Georgia's legal community for the Daily Report for nearly 21 years. Now she embarks on a new adventure.

By R. Robin McDonald

2 minute read

December 29, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Despite Clemency, Miami Nursing Home Operator Pursues Appeal to Dismiss $43M in Financial Penalties

Atlanta appellate lawyer Laurie Webb Daniel of Holland & Knight said an appeal of a total of $43 million in financial penalties will go forward even though client Philip Esformes' 20-year prison sentence was commuted last week by President Donald Trump.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

December 28, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Judicial Watchdog Files Ethics Charges Against State Appeals Court Judge

The JQC charges allege that Judge Christian Coomer violated the state Code of Judicial Conduct, the state bar's professional ethics rules and state campaign finance laws.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

December 23, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Citing 'Unprecedented' COVID-19 Spread, Chief Justice Will Suspend Jury Trials Again

Chief Justice Harold Melton said he expects his latest jury trial suspension to last through February.

By R. Robin McDonald

3 minute read

December 22, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Cobb Chief Judge Suspends Jury Trials Until Further Notice as COVID-19 Explodes

Cobb Chief Judge Robert Leonard ordered the scaling back of in-person court proceedings because Cobb is among the top five counties statewide for COVID spread.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

December 21, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Defense Bar Frets That Proposed Speedy Trial Suspension Will Become 'New Normal'

Criminal defense lawyers fear that prosecutors may take advantage of what should be a temporary fix involving a constitutional right to sidestep problems tied to chronic pre-COVID case backlogs.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

December 18, 2020 | Daily Report Online

'I'm not Rudy Giuliani': McGuireWoods Partner Distances From Failed GOP Election Challenges

Judges in federal courts in Atlanta and Augusta—one appointed by a Republican and one by a Democrat—rejected new efforts by the GOP for more scrutiny of mail-in ballot signature verification during the runoff for the U.S. Senate.

By R. Robin McDonald

7 minute read

December 17, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Republicans Lose Twice in Georgia: Judges Reject Added Scrutiny of Mail-In Ballot

Judges in federal courts in Atlanta and Augusta—one appointed by a Republican and one by a Democrat—on Thursday rejected new legal efforts by the GOP for court orders that would make mail-in ballot signature verification more onerous in the runup to the runoff for the U.S. Senate.

By R. Robin McDonald

2 minute read

December 16, 2020 | Daily Report Online

DENIED! No Injunction to Restore 200,000 Canceled Registrations to Georgia Voter Rolls

At issue is a policy known as "use it or lose it" that civil rights organizations claim led to the erroneous removal of nearly 200,000 eligible voters from the state voter-registration rolls.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

December 14, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Judicial Council to Ask Legislature for More Freedom to Suspend Speedy Trial Deadlines

The Judicial Council voted to push for the legislation even as Chief Justice Harold Melton said, "We may have to call an audible" and reconsider whether to continue holding in-person jury trials.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

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