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Fulton courthouse staff honored after tough year
Employees in the Fulton County Courthouse, where three people were slain March 11, were honored with a free lunch at Pricci in Buckhead on Monday. The group works in the chambers of Superior Court Judge Craig L. Schwall Sr., who was appointed to replace Judge Rowland Barnes, one of those killed in the shootings.
The courthouse employees were chosen from more than 300 entrants in the contest for the third annual Ultimate Office Party, sponsored by News/Talk 750 WSB and ajcjobs. Scott Slade from News/Talk 750 WSB said he was delighted "to give this office a morale-booster. [These people were] directly impacted by one of the most important and horrific news stories of the year - the Fulton County Courthouse shootings."
Listeners of News/Talk 750 WSB and readers of ajcjobs were asked to e-mail Slade and Belinda Skelton from the Neal Boortz radio show to explain why they should win the party.
Fulton County court reporter Lori Jackson Rieke heard the announcement about the contest on the radio and teamed up with Cathy Derreberry, Schwall's judicial assistant, to enter.
Rieke wrote that her office should win "so the chambers of Judge Schwall, Judge Barnes' successor, can honor and celebrate the courtroom staff."
In addition to Barnes, court reporter Julie Ann Brandau and sheriff's deputy Sgt. Hoyt Teasley were shot to death and Deputy Cynthia Hall was beaten on March 11. Brian Nichols is charged with those murders, in addition to the later slaying of U.S. customs agent David Wilhelm.
Many of the 25 people at the luncheon were close personally and professionally to Barnes and shared comments about "the father of the courthouse" during introductions.
"We decided to enter this competition because so many of us have had a hard time this year," Rieke said. "This is a good way for us to show our appreciation for one another."
Gina Clarke was among those working at the courthouse on the day of the shootings.
"This tragedy has brought us all closer together like a family. We have created deep friendships," she said. "This is a lovely holiday reward for us."
