Lester M. Miller is a law firm in Macon Georgia specializing in criminal, divorce, motor vehicle, and workers compensation

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Macon Telegraph, The (GA)
2004-07-09
Section: B
Edition: HOME
Page: 1

THREE-WAY RACE PITS VETERAN JUDGE AGAINST LAWYER, PASTOR
Sharon E. Crawford, Telegraph Staff Writer

The three candidates for the Macon Judicial Circuit Superior Court judge's bench have a combined 75
years of legal experience among them.
And they're each hoping voters will think enough of their other qualities to put them in the black robe.
On July 20, voters will choose between incumbent S. Phillip Brown and opponents Lonzy Edwards
and Lester Miller to serve as a judge in Bibb, Peach and Crawford counties. The race is nonpartisan.
Brown was appointed to the bench by Gov. Zell Miller in 1996. According to court officials, this is the
first time in recent history a sitting Macon Circuit Superior Court judge has been challenged for reelection.
Brown, 63, said he was surprised to hear several months ago that he would have opposition. If
re-elected, he plans to continue work on establishing more alternative sentencing programs to keep
some non-violent offenders out of prison and find more ways to streamline the court calendar process.
"I think I have a reputation for being a thorough analyst of cases," Brown said. "If I'm going to give the
presumption of innocence, which I'm required to give (all people), then I'm not always going to make
the decisions that make people happy. I can't make up the law ... I just have to interpret the law."
Since his appointment, Brown said he's worked hard to get programs in place that would clear cases
out of the system faster. In his opinion, he said, neither of his opponents have what it takes to be a
judge.
"They don't have the ability to be a judge," Brown said. "Sentencing is the most difficult part of this
job. You have to look at their backgrounds and whether they have a chance to be rehabilitated ... every
case is different."
Edwards, 55, says his life experience makes him the perfect candidate for judge. If elected, Edwards
said he would make his courtroom more cost-effective by addressing jail overcrowding and working to
get the case load cleared.
"I see this as a tremendous opportunity to serve my community," Edwards said. "There are a number of
avenues we can (take) to make things better."
Edwards said a possible city-county consolidation would affect the court system and he has some ideas
in place to make sure it would be a smooth transition.
"I have served on two or three consolidation study groups," Edwards said in some of his campaign
literature. "If consolidation occurs, it would be helpful to have a judge who has thought about, and
understands the implications of this concept for the court system."
A minister, Edwards said he doesn't plan to give up his church work if he's elected judge. He said there
are five associate pastors at his church, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, to handle the
workload.
"My church work is a part-time commitment so that wouldn't be a problem," Edwards said. "Actually,
I think being a pastor would help me be a better judge."
Miller, 35, said he would like to see a younger person on the bench. He decided to run after several
friends approached him about the seat.
If elected, Miller would like to see more alternative sentencing programs, but firm sentences for
dangerous criminals and repeat offenders. "All people want is to be treated fairly and adequately and
for the judge to follow the law," Miller said. "I just don't feel that is happening now with Judge Brown
... he's a liberal judge. I believe judges are just there to interpret the law and they should use discretion
when they have the opportunity to do so."
While both challengers have their own reasons for seeking the bench, both candidates said Brown has
made some bad decisions since he's been a judge. One of the most recent decisions was throwing out a
rape indictment against a Macon police officer accused of sexually assaulting two women.
In court documents, Brown wrote that he threw out the indictment because the Bibb County District
Attorney's Office failed to properly notify the officer that his case was going to the grand jury. Macon
Judicial Circuit District Attorney Howard Simms is currently appealing Brown's decision on the
grounds that the alleged assaults occurred while he was off duty.
According to state law, law enforcement officers and public officials must be notified 15 days before
their case is going to the grand jury if the violation occurs in the capacity of their official duty.

--- To contact Sharon E. Crawford, call 744-4384 or e-mail scrawford@macontel.com.

S. PHILLIP BROWN
Age: 63
Address: 2434 N. Wesleyan Drive, Macon, Ga., 31210
Education: Graduate of Central High School in Macon; received his law degree from Mercer
University in 1967.
Family: Married to Dot Brown. They have three children.
Public Office: Appointed to the bench by Gov. Zell Miller in 1995. Brown ran unopposed in two
previous elections and was also a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1971 to 1974.
Community activities: The Browns are members of Park Memorial Methodist Church in Macon.

LESTER MILLER
Age: 35
Address: 8751 Eisenhower Parkway, Lizella, Ga., 31052
Education: Received his law degree from Mercer University in 1994.
Family: Married to Toby Miller. They have two children.
Public Office: Currently running for Bibb County Superior Court Judge against incumbent Phillip
Brown.
Community activities: The Millers attend Victory Baptist Church in Macon.

LONZY EDWARDS
Age: 55
Address: 3627 Masseyville Road, Macon, Ga., 31217
Education: Received his law degree from Duke University's School of Law in 1976.
Family: Married to Nancy Edwards. They have two children and one grandchild.
Public Office: Made the short list for a superior court judge on two occasions.
Community activities: Edwards is the pastor of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Macon. He is
currently the president of the Baptist Ministers Union of Macon and a life member of the NAACP.