I-Team: Mental Health court rehabilitates inmates

By Randy Travis Published May 30, 2023 LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Her baby appeared to be only a few months old. But for at least one day, his mother was going back to jail. "This is all about tough love and this is a difficult piece of what I do," Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Karen Beyers told the rest of audience sitting quietly waiting their turn. Welcome to reality. Welcome to Mental Health Court. FULL STORY: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/mental-health-courts-how-much-can-they-help-jail-crisis

Winston Powell still waits in jail for help

Winston Powell appeared in court for the first time in more than 400 days, much of that spent in an isolation cell waiting for trial on non-violent charges. His story is not unique. Prosecutors and sheriffs say their jails are jammed with mentally ill offenders, stuck there because the state of Georgia doesn't have enough people to evaluate and treat them in a timely manner.

Vet school grad admits illegally taking horses across SE

A veterinary school student who promised to care for sick or aging horses instead illegally sold them to companies that provide horse meat to countries overseas. On Tuesday afternoon, Fallon Blackwood pleaded guilty in an Alabama courtroom.

Dale Russell says goodbye

After nearly 40 years investigating with the FOX 5 I-Team, Dale Russell says he's trading in his notebook and pen for plane tickets and more time with his grandchildren. Since 1985, Dale has investigated around the world for this station. FOX 5 I-Team's Randy Travis takes a deep dive into the stories and work ethic that made Dale the incredible reporter he's retiring as today.

Jails grapple with mental health crisis

Most people who suffer from a mental illness in this country never encounter the criminal justice system. But those who break the law can find themselves trapped in a system that still can't figure out how best to deal with them. FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis examines the story of a current inmate: Lavender Gresham.

I-Team: Mentally ill man sits in jail 468 days -- He's not Alone

By Randy Travis Published May 17, 2023 BUCHANAN, Ga. - For 468 days and counting, Winston Powell has known little else than the walls of a barren isolation cell, his only companions the untamed thoughts ricocheting inside his head. "This is wrong," stressed Haralson County Sheriff Stacy Williams. "These are people." If the Haralson County Jail had a frequent flier program, Powell, 28, would already be a lifetime Diamond member, charged 10 times over the last 10 years with a string of nonviolent crimes. FULL STORY: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/a-mentally-ill-inmate-has-sat-in-a-ga-isolaton-cell-for-468-days-waiting-for-help-hes-not-alone

Richard Merritt Murder Trial: Jury seated

A jury has been seated in the DeKalb County murder trial of disbarred Cobb County Attorney Richard Merritt. Prosecutors claim Merritt brutally beat and stabbed his mother to death on the day she was set to drive him to a state prison.

Attorney accused of killing mom stands trial

The long-awaited trial for a Georgia attorney accused of beating and stabbing his mother to death is set to begin. Richard Merritt was facing prison for defrauding legal clients and was set to turn himself in, when prosecutors say he killed his mother and ran.

Angry Aqua Blue Pools customers

It's swim season and a frustrated group of homeowners say - for some of them - this is their second summer they can't use their backyard pools. They sat down with the FOX 5 I-Team's Dana Fowle -- angry that they'd paid for swimming pools they can't seem to get finished.