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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October 08, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Ga. Supreme Court Rules Western Circuit DA Election Will Go On

Thursday's unanimous opinion, written by the state's chief justice, affirms a federal ruling that the secretary of state's decision to cancel the election was unconstitutional.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

October 07, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Judge Reverses Ruling That Prompted COVID-19 Ethics Complaint

Forsyth County Chief Superior Court Judge Jeff Bagley ordered the county district attorney to give discovery to a medically vulnerable defense lawyer without forcing him to appear personally at her courthouse offices.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

October 05, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Fifteenth Probate Judge Sickened With COVID-19 in Georgia

Brantley County Probate Judge Karen Batten's exposure to COVID-19 led her to shut down probate court for two weeks beginning Sept. 17.

By R. Robin McDonald

3 minute read

October 02, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Forsyth Chief Judge Faces Ethics Complaint Over COVID-19 Emergency Orders

David West, a medically vulnerable criminal defense lawyer, filed the ethics complaint with the state Judicial Qualifications Commission against Superior Court Chief Judge Jeff Bagley over possible violations of emergency orders issued by the state Supreme Court's chief justice.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

October 01, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Pennsylvania Republicans Turn to Georgia Election Lawyers for SCOTUS Amicus Brief

Two of the lawyers hail from Holland & Knight and one is from Chalmers & Adams.

By R. Robin McDonald

3 minute read

September 30, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Forsyth Chief Judge Walks Back Plans to Begin In-Person Jury Trials During COVID-19

Bagley said Wednesday he will delay reinstituting jury trials until January and has suspended the preparation of juror summonses.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

September 29, 2020 | Daily Report Online

'Hope is Not a Plan': Cobb Judge Looking for Test Case on Virtual Jury Selection

The judge thought he had a test case that could go up to the state Supreme Court, before it ended in a guilty plea.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

September 29, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Northern District's Chief Judge Extends Jury Trial Suspensions

U.S. District Chief Judge Thomas Thrash said his decision to continue suspending trials was influenced by Georgia's position as fourth in the nation for confirmed COVID-19 cases.

By R. Robin McDonald

3 minute read

September 28, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Federal Judge Grants Narrow Injunction Challenging State's Electronic Voting System

U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg on Tuesday directed the state to make sure every precinct in its 159 counties had paper backups for often glitchy electronic poll books used by poll workers to verify voters' registrations.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

September 25, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Former Attorney General Mike Bowers Leaves Balch & Bingham for Athens Firm

Bowers began work Monday at Johnson Marlowe as senior counsel just three weeks before he turns 79.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

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