‘We Made Herstory’: Fani Willis Poised To Become First Woman DA in Georgia County

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Fani Willis is poised to become the next Fulton County District Attorney after winning a runoff election against her former boss on Tuesday. Willis is seen here in 2014 during the trial of 12 former Atlanta Public Schools educators accused in a conspiracy to inflate state test scores.

Kent D. Johnson/AP

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Kent D. Johnson/AP

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Former Atlanta Police Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Charged With Felony Murder

Howard also is facing scrutiny for his handling of the Rayshard Brooks case, where Garrett Rolfe, the now-fired Atlanta police officer shot and killed Brooks on the night of June 12 in a Wendy’s restaurant parking lot.

Howard charged Rolfe with felony murder and 10 other counts five days after the shooting. The former officer faces a possible life sentence without parole if convicted.

Rolfe is out on bond, as is officer Devin Brosnan, who is facing aggravated assault and other lesser charges. He remains with the Atlanta Police Department.

Critics, including Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga, who is himself in a tight contest in November for a U.S. Senate seat, have accused Howard of being driven by «political pressure when his office filed charges against the officers, both of whom are white.

Collins last month formally asked Attorney General William Barr to launch a probe into «the egregious abuse of power by Howard in the case.

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Soon after Collins’ request, GBI reportedly expanded its investigation of Howard’s conduct in office to include why the Fulton County District Attorney’s office issued grand jury subpoenas connected to the Brooks’ shooting but did not impanel a grand jury.

«I was so humbled to get this job in the first place, Howard said in remarks to reporters Tuesday night after conceding the race. «I came with pride and I’m leaving with pride.

For her part, Willis promised to bring compassion, transparency and integrity to the office.

«You have my word that during my tenure as district attorney in Fulton County, we will be a beacon … for justice and ethics in Georgia and in this nation, Willis said.

She gave a nod to another woman who made history Tuesday, Sen. Kamala Harris of California who was named by presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden to be his running mate.

Harris is the first Black and first Asian American to be nominated as a vice presidential nominee by a major U.S. political party.

Both women attended a historically black university in Washington, D.C.

«And let me say one more thing, Willis said. «Ain’t it good to be an alumni of Howard University which drew cheers from her supporters.