THOMSON – A judge has refused the release of video evidence in the case of a small-town mayor accused of supplying inmate laborers with gin.
Senior Judge Carlisle Overstreet made the ruling at a Thursday pretrial conference for Benji Cranford, the suspended Thomson mayor arrested at a city council meeting Aug. 14 by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Cranford, 52, faces up to 10 years in prison on charges of furnishIng prohibited items to inmates and the criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Cranford was indicted by a McDuffie County grand jury on the charges. Prior reports say he allegedly purchased a fifth of gin at a nearby store, then left it for a work crew on a road project in Thomson city limits.
The Augusta Press requested video of Cranford allegedly leaving the bottle in a ditch, part of the evidentiary file in the case.
Toombs Circuit Assistant District Attorney Terry Lloyd said at the conference Cranford “opened the door” to the release of evidence by discussing the charges at length to local media, implying misconduct on the part of officers who arrested him.
Cranford appeared with his attorney, Keith Johnson, at the conference. Both declined to comment on the case.
Johnson objected to the release of evidence ahead of trial, saying it could unfairly prejudice jurors selected to hear the case. Overstreet declined to allow it.
The attorneys agreed to conduct Cranford’s trial the week of Dec. 2.
Panel weighing in again on suspension
Meanwhile, at Gov. Brian Kemp’s request, two area mayors have weighed in a second time on whether Cranford’s indictment adversely impacts his ability to serve as mayor.
The panel, consisting of Grovetown Mayor Gary Jones and Harlem Mayor Roxanne Whitaker, previously determined Cranford should be suspended from office, but Cranford asked for reconsideration.
Their second determination is due in the next few days.
