2017 double homicide among cases disposed of recently in Dougherty County courtrooms

ALBANY — By ones and twos and sometimes threes and more, Dougherty County prosecutors are working through a backlog of murder cases that built up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through court cases and plea deals, prosecutors are working to reduce that backlog.

Last year, court officials in the county estimated that there were 10,000 outstanding felony cases in the county, with 2,500 of those being some of the most serious crimes, ranging from aggravated child molestation to murder.

And as these cases have made their way into court, the Dougherty County District Attorney’s office has had some recent wins.

Among those was the sentencing last week of a man who pleaded guilty in the Jan. 16, 2017, shooting deaths of two victims and the attack on a third person who was left with permanent disabilities.

Chief Dougherty County Superior Court Judge Willie E. Lockette sentenced Jessie Clarence Brown to a sentence of life without parole plus 30 years in the case. Brown was sentenced on counts of felony murder and aggravated battery.

“It was alleged the defendant came from Terrell County, where he had stolen his boss’ truck, and drove to Albany where he confronted Keyon Branch, his then-girlfriend,” Edwards said. “He also shot the grandmother (Brenda Forrester) and he also shot Qua’shawn Branch as well, leaving him a paraplegic.”

The DA’s office sought the death penalty in the case, and as the trial date approached, Brown’s attorney reached out to make a deal.

“The state agreed to remove the death penalty and have a sentencing hearing if he would go ahead and plead guilty,” Edwards said.

In all, the district attorney said the office has been working hard to adjudicate the most serious felony cases.

“We’ve knocked down about 30 defendants with homicides, including trials we had last week,” he said. “There have been multiple life-without-parole sentences handed down in addition to life sentences. The Dougherty County District Attorney’s office is making great strides in reducing the backlog of cases.”

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