Judge in Atlanta Educators Case Begins Sorting Out Potential Conflicts

Gerald Griggs is currently representing former APS teacher Angela Williamson, but in the past he’s represented others.

Griggs says he understands the judge’s concern.

“I understand why the judge is doing it, but I do not believe there is a conflict. I think that you have so many teachers at so many different schools and when you look at the actual evidence, most teachers only know what happened at their school. We’re not talking about individuals that I represented at the same school; we’re talking about different schools. So I think at the end of the day when the evidence comes out there will be no conflict.”

Angela Williamson is accused of accused of making false statements, false writings and like all the others, racketeering.

In the state’s report she allegedly admitted to telling students to “go over their answers.”

An original witness list for the state was 2,500, but last month Judge Baxter told the DA’s office that needed to be reduced.

Attorney Gerald Griggs sees that as an indicator of a weakening case by the state at least where his client is concerned.

“The fact that it went from 2,500 to about 400 shows that the evidence is a lot sparser  than they’re letting on to the public. So I think that once actual evidence comes in, you will learn that Angela Williamson did not cheat.”

It was also revealed in court that nearly 100 educators were given immunity for their testimony and could show up Tuesday as witnesses.

Meanwhile another motion has been filed citing a conflict of interest with Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.

Howard’s wife, Petrina worked at M. Agnes Jones Elementary school where state investigators found cheating and six educators confessed.

But no one from the school was charged.

That, according to the motion, is a conflict because of Petrina Howard’s affiliation with those teachers.