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Former Fulton prosecutor to join Fayette DA office

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

A former Atlanta police officer turned prosecutor, who was the first to slap the handcuffs on convicted Atlanta child murders suspect Wayne Williams more than 20 years ago, will report to work Monday at the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office.

Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard confirmed that Al Dixon, who retired from his position as a Fulton County prosecutor Friday, will join his team.

Ballard said Dixon will serve as his chief assistant. Dixon will be charged with prosecuting major cases and will run the office in Ballard’s absence, Ballard said.

Dixon previously headed the major felony unit as a deputy district attorney in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. Dixon will bring a plethora of talent and expertise to the Fayette County office, Ballard indicated.

Ballard said Fayette County State Court Judge Fletcher Sams recommended that Ballard pick him for the chief assistant post. Ballard, who took office in January, said he’s happy Dixon decided to take the job.

“I’m excited about it,” Ballard said Friday when reached via cellphone. “I’m real honored to have someone of his caliber to work with us and I think the citizens will be very well served.”

Dixon, who most recently handled the Brian Nichols’ triple murder case, will likely get a chance to assist Ballard with one of the largest murder cases to hit the county. The case involves two lesbian teens who allegedly murdered elderly grandparents Carl and Sarah Collier in north Fayette County Aug. 2, 2004.

The case will be moved to another county in Georgia. Ballard will announce the details about where the cases will be tried April 18.