Two cleared in Georgia county Sheriff's killing

Jet, April 15, 2002

Two of the men accused of conspiring with former DeKalb County (GA) Sheriff Sidney Dorsey to kill his successor were found innocent of murder and other charges recently.

David Ramsey and Melvin Walker were charged with gunning down Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown in his driveway Dec. 15, 2000, three days before he was to be sworn in (JET, Jan. 8, 2001).

The case against the men was based almost solely on testimony of Patrick Cuffy and Paul Skyers, who also were accused of participating in the alleged murder plot but were given immunity for testifying.

Dorsey, who faces murder and racketeering charges, will be tried separately.

Brown had defeated Dorsey in a bitter campaign after promising to end corruption in the sheriffs department. Dorsey was under investigation for allegedly using on-duty deputies to work for his private security company and for allegedly letting county jail inmates work in a home repair program run by his wife, Atlanta city councilwoman Sherry Dorsey.

Cuffy and Skyers said Dorsey ordered the killing because he was angry about losing the election and because Brown was helping authorities investigate the allegations. Brown also had vowed to fire 38 of Dorsey's deputies.

Cuffy and Walker were sheriffs deputies and Ramsey worked for Dorsey's security company.

Cuffy and Skyers testified that they, along with Walker and Ramsey, carried out the hit, with Walker serving as the gunman.

Dorsey has said he had nothing to do with the murder. His trial is set to begin in June.