On Monday, June 6, 2022, Manzie T. Broxton, Judge of the Magistrate Court of Washington County, filed a motion entitled ‘Motion to Strike Witnesses’ Testimony and Evidence’ in the Supreme Court of Georgia. The case is styled as ‘In the Matter of Judge Manzie T. Broxton’ with case number #$22Z0592.
The motion reads:
“On August 24, 2021, JQC Chief Investigator, John Gosart, (“Chief Investigator Gosart”) and JQC Investigator, John R. Davis, (“Investigator Davis”), made an unannounced visit to the Washington County Magistrate Court. During the unscheduled visit, Judge Broxton was interviewed by Chief Investigator Gosart and Investigator Davis without having the benefit of counsel present during the investigation. At no time during the August 24, 2021 investigation was Judge Broxton informed that pursuant to JOC Rule 9, he has the “Right to Counsel and shall be entitled to retain counsel and to have the assistance of counsel at every stage of these proceedings.”
The motion goes on:
“During the August 24, 2021 investigations many statements were made by Chief Investigator Gosart and Investigator Davis regarding Judge Broxton medical condition, in violation of Judge Broxton’s right to privacy and the American Disability Act § 35.130 General prohibitions against discrimination. As a consequence of being interviewed without the legal presence of counsel, Judge Broxton provided damaging information that the JCQ used to create a complaint against Judge Broxton.”
The motion continues:
“Judge Broxton moves the Court to conduct a pretrial evidentiary hearing regarding whether any information collected during the August 24, 2021 investigation was obtained in violation of JOC Rule 9. If the Court finds Chief Investigator Gosart and Investigator Davis violated JOC Rule 9 Judge Broxton requests an order striking Chief Investigator Gosart and Investigator Davis as witnesses for the JOC, as well as a Protective Order prohibiting the JQC from presenting any evidence obtained by Chief Investigator Gosart and Investigator Davis.”
The filer, Judge Manzie T. Broxton, is requesting that the Supreme Court of Georgia: a) conduct an evidentiary hearing on the admissibility of the testimony and evidence Chief Investigator Gosart and Investigator Davis seeks to enter into evidence; b) a Protective Order prohibiting the testimony of chief Investigator Gosart and Investigator Davis; and c) an Order preventing the admission of evidence obtained by Chief Investigator Gosart and Investigator Davis.
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The Judge’s Courtroom is at 132 W. Haynes Street in Sandersville and can be reached at 478-552-3591.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
