The vortex of controversy around Athens-Clarke County District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez has made its way to the Georgia Court of Appeals. Derek Bauer of BakerHostetler, on behalf of the prosecutor, argued that a writ of mandamus can’t be used by a citizen who is not being prosecuted to change the way the prosecutor runs her office.

A headshot of Deborah Gonzalez. District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez. (Courtesy photo)

Secondary to the issue of whether the writ of mandamus can be used to change prosecutorial discretion is whether Gonzalez admitted fault in the dispute to move the case to the appellate court.