QUITMAN —
The long-awaited trial for the group that has become known as the “Quitman Ten Plus Two” has been set for Monday, Dec. 10, at the Brooks County Courthouse.
However, the long wait could be even longer.
“It was set on that date, but I’m not positive that it will take place on that date,” said Brooks County Clerk of Court Ginger Shiver.
While a continuance has not yet been filed, the possibility looms.
“Nothing has been filed yet, but there could be something filed that would continue the case,” said Shiver.
Former Brooks County Board of Education President Nancy Whitfield-Dennard, board members Linda Troutman and Diane Thomas, along with nine other Brooks County residents (one of whom is now deceased) were indicted two years ago on several counts of unlawful possession of ballots, etc., related to hundreds of absentee ballots that arrived in their favor in the July 20, 2010, Brooks school board primary election. The case originally involved 10 defendants, leading to the “Quitman Ten” reference, but two more people were later indicted.
On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Whitfield-Dennard, Troutman and Thomas — who had been suspended from serving on the board by Gov. Nathan Deal — were reinstated to the school board, despite their active indictments, because they were not tried in a “speedy” manner as guaranteed by the law.
Whitfield-Dennard, Troutman and Thomas will serve on the board until their terms run out or if there is a conviction in the case.
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