(GEORGIA NEWS NETWORK)
*A DeKalb County man walks free and his name is cleared after spending two decades behind bars. Sandeep “Sonny” Bharadia, spent nearly a quarter century (24 years) fighting to clear his name after being wrongfully convicted of burglary, aggravated sexual battery, and theft charges in 2003. New DNA evidence emerged in 2012, pointing to another man who had testified against Bharadia at his trial. After a petition was granted in April 2023, the charges were dismissed in a quick court hearing. 11 alive reports that now that he’s free, plans to enjoy his freedom and advocate for those who are often unheard in the justice system.
*A middle school teacher in south Georgi has been arrested for allegedly assaulting students. The Tift County School Board notified Tifton police it had received a complaint about a special ed teacher at Eighth Street Middle School. The board said two children who were special needs and non-verbal were allegedly assaulted by the teacher. Police arrested 55-year-old Dixie Hardy this week when she turned herself in. Hardy is facing one count of cruelty to children and one count of simple battery.
*A new Georgia law allows domestic violence victims in prison to petition for shorter sentences if their charges are related to abuse. The Georgia Justice Survivor Act permits survivors to present evidence of abuse in court, even after sentencing, recognizing the impact of trauma on their actions. The law, retroactive in nature, aims to provide justice for women who acted in self-defense or under duress due to years of abuse.