Behind the Investigation with Atlanta News First

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A Cobb County man died in law enforcement custody less than 24 hours after his arrest. His family claims he was having a mental health emergency, but jail medical staff ignored signs he needed help.

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Atlanta News First Investigates has uncovered the state’s medical board could be investigating a doctor for his alleged role that nearly killed a Georgia mother.

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Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Thursday morning a series of expanded restrictions for convicted sex offenders.

House Bill 188, known as Mariam’s Law, is designed to better track these individuals. The bill was approved earlier this year by the Georgia General Assembly.

The law comes after several Atlanta News First investigations exposed a loophole that allowed a repeat sex offender to get out of prison only to, prosecutors say, kidnap and kill 27-year-old Mariam Abdulrab, on her way home from work.

State Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) said the bill “assures any dangerous sexual predators are going to be monitored for the rest of their life. We need to make sure if someone is no longer in jail that they don’t pose a threat to society.

“Without a doubt, Mariam is smiling down from heaven today.”

Albers also credited Atlanta News First as “part of the reason we’re here today. Your proactive approach to this; your in-depth journalism; and getting the word out there of a tragedy that we could turn into a positive, is part of the reason we’re getting to spend this time together today. Specifically, I want to thank you and the news station for making this a priority.”

MORE COVERAGE OF MARIAM’S LAW

• Senate committee approves ankle monitors for convicted sex offenders
• State House passes Mariam’s Law, expanding restrictions for convicted sex offenders
• Mariam’s Law: Georgia loophole frees convicted sex offender now accused of murder
• Atlanta leaders urge state lawmakers to adopt Mariam’s Law, expand restrictions
• LISTEN | 911 calls released from the night Mariam Abdulrab was kidnapped, murdered

The law requires sex offenders who have not received a risk-level assessment to be fitted with an ankle monitor. Once they are leveled, the most dangerous offenders have to wear the monitor for the duration of their probation, while lower-level offenders could have them removed if the state Department of Community Supervision approves.

A driver’s first thought after an accident is most likely an expletive, and if the car won’t drive, most aren’t thinking about how to vet a reputable, state-licensed and insured towing company.

Here are the hazards of using a tow truck company that isn’t law-enforcement recommended.

A metro Atlanta woman was hospitalized after doctors found sepsis in her blood. This came after she had received injections from an unlicensed medical professional.

In Georgia, performing unlicensed medical work is a felony. According to state code OCGA 43-34-42, “Any person who practices medicine without complying with this article or who otherwise violates any provision of this article shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of $1,000.00 per each violation or by imprisonment from two to five years, or both.”

In this episode of Behind the Investigation, Chief Investigator Brendan Keefe and Investigative Reporter Ciara Cummings talk about her report that shows the high price of being pretty.

Police arrested Maurice Jimmerson and four others in 2013 for murder. A jury acquitted two of them, but for 10 years, Jimmerson has spent the majority of that time in a county jail, legally innocent.

The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees people accused of crimes the right to a speedy trial and access to an attorney if they cannot afford one.

Why Jimmerson went so long without legal representation highlights a cascade of failures in Georgia’s criminal justice system.