Chattooga County Agricultural Fair Opens Today
The wait is over for one of Chattooga County’s biggest annual events, as the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opens this afternoon in Summerville.
The four-day fair runs today, August 27 through Sunday, August 30, at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center on Middle School Road. Opening-day hours are 5 PM until 10 PM today.
Fairgoers can expect the traditional combination of carnival rides, food, games, agricultural exhibits, livestock, live entertainment and activities for the entire family. Peachtree Rides is returning with midway rides and games, including rides designed for younger children. The fair will also feature its live animal exhibit, giving visitors an up-close look at animals and their importance to agriculture in Chattooga County.
Agriculture takes center stage on opening day as well. The 4-H and FFA Junior Market Goat Show begins at 5:30 PM today. Local young people will bring their projects into the show ring as part of a livestock program that continues throughout the weekend with lambs, beef cattle, poultry, dairy cattle and market hogs.
Blue Ribbon competition will also be underway. This morning, entries for same-day horticulture blooms will be received from 8 until 10 AM, followed by judging of horticulture, agriculture and food preservation exhibits from 10:30 AM until 1 PM. The exhibit area will be closed to the public during judging.
The fair continues Friday from 5–11 PM, Saturday from 2–11 PM and Sunday from 2–9 PM. The Agricultural Center itself closes one hour before the fair ends each evening.
The 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair is located at 33 Middle School Road in Summerville.
Commissioner Allen Seeks Changes Before Approving GMASS Agreement.
Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen is raising questions about the terms of a proposed new three-year contract with Georgia Mass Appraisal Solutions and Services, or GMASS, the private company that provides property appraisal services for the county.
Allen says he is holding off on renewing the contract until several provisions can be addressed, particularly as the number of property tax appeals in Chattooga County continues to increase.
According to information presented by Allen, Chattooga County currently pays GMASS $158,328 annually for its appraisal work. The company provides trained and certified appraisers who assist the county Board of Assessors and visit every property at least once during a three-year period.
Allen said the county previously had enough employees to conduct appraisal work in-house, but maintaining a qualified staff has become increasingly difficult.
“We need a company that can come in and do a third of all these properties every year,” Allen said.
One of Allen’s primary concerns involves property tax appeals. Under the contract, GMASS charges the county an additional fee for each taxpayer appeal.
Allen questioned whether the company should receive additional compensation when taxpayers challenge property values established through the appraisal process.
He said a company responsible for establishing property values should have an incentive to make sure those values are accurate from the beginning.
“It’s almost a benefit for them to see more appeals,” Allen said. “I think they should have some skin in the game.”
Allen emphasized that he is not questioning GMASS’s reputation or qualifications. The company has been in business since 2008, and Allen described it as a reputable company that has provided a valuable service to Chattooga County.
Instead, the commissioner said his goal is to make sure any new agreement clearly defines the company’s responsibilities and provides taxpayers with the best value possible.
The Chattooga County Board of Assessors has already voted to approve the proposed GMASS contract, which would pay the company approximately $495,000 over three years. However, the agreement has not yet been signed by the commissioner.
GMASS is seeking a four-percent increase under the proposed contract.
Allen said he wants clarification on several provisions before moving forward with another three-year agreement.
Summerville Man Indicted On Child Molestation And Assault Charges
A Summerville man is facing multiple felony charges involving allegations that he molested one child and physically assaulted two other children.
According to Chattooga County grand jury records, Ronnie Andrew Blackmon of Hair Lake Road in Summerville was indicted August 10 on three counts of child molestation, one count of aggravated assault and two counts of second-degree cruelty to children.
The indictment alleges that Blackmon inappropriately touched a female child on the breasts, vagina and buttocks. The alleged incidents occurred between April 1, 2023, and January 24, 2026.
Blackmon is also accused of assaulting another female child during the same time period. According to the indictment, he allegedly placed his hands around the child’s neck and squeezed, restricting the child’s airflow. That allegation resulted in the aggravated assault charge.
In a separate allegation involving a male child, Blackmon is accused of repeatedly striking the child with a belt. The indictment alleges the assault caused the child “excessive and physical pain.” He faces second-degree cruelty to children charges in connection with the alleged abuse.
The charges are allegations contained in a grand jury indictment. Blackmon is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
AdventHealth Redmond Honors Alli Beth Surrett With DAISY Award
AdventHealth Redmond has named Alli Beth Surrett as its second-quarter 2026 DAISY Award recipient, recognizing her for extraordinary nursing care, compassion and patient advocacy.
Surrett was nominated by a family member after a sudden change in her great aunt’s health led to a stressful hospital stay. The family said Surrett provided excellent clinical care while also bringing calm and reassurance during a difficult time.
The patient spoke only Spanish, and the family praised Surrett for making sure she was treated with kindness and respect and felt heard and understood despite the language barrier.
Surrett’s care continued beyond the hospital room. When a medication was not ready at the pharmacy, she worked with the case manager to help make sure it would be available. After the patient was discharged and another communication problem developed at the pharmacy, the family contacted Surrett again. She continued helping until the issue was addressed.
In the nomination, the family member said Surrett’s presence brought reassurance during a time of stress and worry and added that “she felt less like just a nurse and more like family.”
AdventHealth Redmond Chief Nursing Officer Trish Price said Surrett’s compassion and dedication demonstrate the profound impact nurses can have on patients and families during uncertain moments.
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes and is now an international program recognizing nurses whose clinical excellence and compassionate care make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.
AdventHealth Redmond congratulated Surrett on the recognition and thanked her for the care and compassion she provides to patients and families.
Murder Trial Underway In Chattooga County Superior Court
A murder trial is taking place this week in Chattooga County Superior Court involving the June 2025 shooting death of 27-year-old Christopher “DJ” Chapman.
The defendant, Deoveon Lawayne Price, was 24 years old at the time of the shooting and was arrested after Summerville Police identified him as the alleged shooter. Price has been charged in connection with Chapman’s death, including felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The case dates back to June 6, 2025, when Summerville Police officers were called to Oak Street after a report of a gunshot wound. Officers found Chapman lying unresponsive in the roadway suffering from a serious gunshot wound. He was transported to Chattooga ER, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators identified Price as the alleged shooter and said he had left the scene in a vehicle. Police later located him driving a different vehicle on Taylors Ridge, where he was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop.
A separate report at the time stated that the shooting followed a physical altercation between Price and Chapman.
The original investigation involved assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force and Georgia State Patrol.
Price’s trial is now being heard in Chattooga County Superior Court. WZQZ News will continue to follow the proceedings and report the outcome when a verdict is reached.
Georgia DNR Reminds Hunters About Hunter Education Requirements
With Georgia hunting seasons approaching, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to make sure they have completed required hunter education before heading to the woods or purchasing a season hunting license.
The DNR Wildlife Resources Division offers both online and traditional classroom courses. There are 10 online course options, including one offered in Spanish. Online course costs range from free to $49.95, depending on the independent provider, while the DNR’s in-person classroom course is offered free of charge.
Hunter education is required for people born on or after January 1, 1961, who purchase a season hunting license in Georgia. It is also required for hunters who are at least 12 years old and hunt without adult supervision, as well as those hunting big game — including deer, turkey or bear — on a Wildlife Management Area.
There are some exceptions. Hunter education is not required for someone purchasing an Apprentice Hunting License or short-term hunting license. The requirement also does not apply to someone hunting on their own land or a dependent hunting on property belonging to a parent or legal guardian.
DNR officials say the purpose of hunter education is to prepare hunters before they enter the field by emphasizing safety, responsibility and knowledge of hunting practices and regulations.
Those completing an approved online course can access their Georgia Hunter Safety Certificate through their DNR customer account. Georgia also accepts qualifying hunter education certifications issued by other state wildlife agencies and Canadian provinces.
More information about hunter education and available courses can be found through the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division.
Florida Man Accused Of Cheating Rome Man Out Of $45,000
A Florida man is facing a theft charge after authorities say he used a deceptive email to convince a Rome man to wire $45,000 to the wrong bank account.
According to the arrest warrant, 47-year-old Herbert Titus Wilson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is accused of sending an email to the victim in February 2025 that appeared to come from a legitimate business associate.
Investigators say the email address was altered by just one letter, making the message appear authentic while allowing Wilson to provide different banking and routing information.
The victim reportedly believed the instructions were legitimate and wired $45,000 to Wilson. The money was intended to pay for the purchase of a piece of equipment.
Wilson has been charged with theft by deception.
Summerville Woman Reports Motorcycle Not Returned
A Summerville woman contacted police after she said a motorcycle she allowed another person to use was not returned.
According to a Summerville Police Department report, 36-year-old Brittany Money of Kelly Street reported the incident to police. The case was documented as a miscellaneous, non-criminal report.
Money told police she had allowed another individual to use the motorcycle, but it had not been returned as expected. According to the narrative on page two of the police report, when contact was made concerning the motorcycle, the person reportedly refused to return it and said the situation would be a “police matter.”
The report states that the motorcycle was last known to be at Kawasaki of Rome.
At the time the report was filed, Summerville Police classified the matter as a miscellaneous report rather than a criminal offense. The report does not indicate that an arrest had been made or that criminal charges had been filed.
Rome Rotary Proposes Memorial Honoring Cherokee Nation
A proposed memorial in Rome would honor the Cherokee Nation and commemorate the forced removal of the Cherokee people from North Georgia.
Former Rome Rotary President Doug Walker presented the proposal Tuesday to Rome’s General Administration Committee, asking for permission to locate the Rotary project at Ridge Ferry Park near the Chieftains Museum.
Plans call for a 25-square-foot plaza with a statue at its center. Walker said the project is intended specifically to remember the removal of the Cherokee Nation while also recognizing the history of the Cherokee people who once lived throughout North Georgia.
The project is being funded through private contributions. According to information presented to the committee, the memorial fund has received about $33,000 in donations with another $10,000 pledged. Walker also plans to seek grants. No government funding has been requested, and organizers currently do not plan to seek taxpayer funding.
If the memorial is placed at Ridge Ferry Park, Rome Rotary would be responsible for its upkeep.
Walker described the proposed memorial as a “living educational space,” with hopes that area schools will use the site to help students learn more about Cherokee history and the removal of the Cherokee people from their ancestral homeland.
The goal is to complete the project sometime in 2027, a significant year in Cherokee history as it will mark the 200th anniversary of the Cherokee Nation’s adoption of its constitution.
The proposal remains in its preliminary stages, with the request presented to the committee concerning the location of the memorial.
Old-Fashioned Apple Festival Seeking Apple Pie Competitors
Local bakers who believe they make the best apple pie around will have a chance to prove it during the upcoming Old-Fashioned Apple Festival in Summerville.
Summerville Main Street is putting out the call for competitors for both the Standard Apple Pie Contest and Fried Apple Pie Contest during this year’s festival.
There is no registration fee to enter, and organizers say the contests offer local bakers an opportunity to showcase their favorite recipes while competing for cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights.
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded in each division. First place will receive $100, second place $75 and third place $50.
The Old-Fashioned Apple Festival is set for Saturday, September 5, from 10 AM until 3 PM at the Summerville Depot. Along with the apple pie competitions, the festival will feature apple-themed products, craft and food vendors, live demonstrations, children’s activities and live music throughout the day.
Those interested in entering either apple pie competition can contact Summerville Main Street at 706-859-0900, extension 1337, or email slocklear@summervillega.org for contest rules and registration information.
Arrest Report - Wednesday - August 26, 2026
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, August 26, 2026:
COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND DOLLY PARTON DIES AT 80
Mostly Sunny Today; Storm Chances Increase Thursday
Northwest Georgia will enjoy a mostly sunny and seasonable Wednesday before rain and thunderstorm chances increase heading into Thursday.
Today will be mostly sunny with a high near 91 degrees and calm winds. While much of the day should remain dry, isolated showers or thunderstorms could develop later in the day in parts of North Georgia. Any storm that forms could produce frequent lightning, gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall.
Tonight, skies will be partly cloudy with a low around 70. There is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between midnight and 5 a.m.
Weather conditions become more unsettled on Thursday as a cold front approaches the region. Showers and thunderstorms will become more numerous, especially after late morning. The chance of rain is 30 percent during the day, with a high near 89.
Thursday night, rain chances increase to 50 percent, with showers and thunderstorms possible before 2 a.m. The overnight low will be around 69.
The National Weather Service says storms Thursday could be slow-moving and capable of producing heavy rainfall. Much of North Georgia is under a Level 2 of 4 Slight Risk for excessive rainfall, meaning localized flash flooding could become a concern. A Flood Watch could be issued if conditions warrant. While widespread severe weather is not expected, some storms could produce strong gusty winds.
Rain and storm chances remain at 40 percent Friday, with a high near 88. Conditions begin to improve over the weekend, although isolated afternoon storms will remain possible.
Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 90 and a 20 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Sunday will also be mostly sunny with a high near 88 and a 20 percent chance of storms.
Temperatures remain seasonable into early next week, with highs near 90 Monday and around 92 Tuesday.
Lyerly Man Dies Following Pedestrian Accident On Highway 114
A 66-year-old Lyerly man died Tuesday following an accident involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle on Highway 114, according to the Chattooga County Coroner’s Office.
The Coroner’s Office says it was notified of the fatal accident at approximately 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The accident occurred in the 6000 block of Highway 114 in Lyerly.
The victim was identified as Tony L. Edgeworth, 66, of Lyerly.
According to the release, Edgeworth was treated at the scene by Atrium Floyd EMS and LifeForce Air Medical personnel. Officials initially prepared for possible air transport, but Edgeworth was determined to be too unstable to be transported by helicopter.
He was instead transported by ambulance to Atrium Floyd Chattooga Emergency Room, where he later died from his injuries.
Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney and the Georgia State Patrol are investigating the accident. Additional details about the circumstances surrounding the collision were not included in the initial release.
The Coroner’s Office asked the community to keep Edgeworth’s family in their prayers during this difficult time.
Summerville Man Pleads Guilty To Assaulting Police Officer
A Summerville man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an incident in which he admitted striking a Summerville Police officer in the face.
According to Chattooga County Superior Court records, John Howard Trammel, of 19 Church Street in Summerville, pleaded guilty to obstruction of an officer and simple assault.
Trammel was indicted by a Chattooga County Grand Jury on August 11 and entered his guilty plea just two days later, on August 13, before Superior Court Judge Melissa Hise.
Judge Hise sentenced Trammel to three years of probation and ordered him to pay a $1,716 fine. He was also ordered to avoid alcohol and illegal drugs, submit to random drug testing and treatment, and complete 40 hours of community service.
Court records state that Trammel admitted to striking Summerville Police Officer Joshua Mitchell in the face during a call on May 8.
Records also state that Trammel damaged property belonging to Kaileigh Painter during the same incident, including breaking an air conditioner and a window.
The guilty plea resolved the charges against Trammel in Chattooga County Superior Court.
Georgia Power Pushes Back Against Data Center “Misinformation”
As data centers continue to expand across Georgia, Georgia Power is pushing back against what company officials describe as misinformation surrounding the massive facilities and their impact on residential electric customers.
The issue has become increasingly important as Georgia emerges as one of the country’s major data center markets. The facilities require enormous amounts of electricity, prompting questions about whether residential customers will ultimately pay for the new generation and transmission infrastructure needed to serve them.
Georgia Power says they will not.
The utility says new rules approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission require large energy users, including data centers, to pay the costs associated with serving them.
Under those rules, new customers requiring 100 megawatts or more can be required to enter long-term contracts, pay minimum monthly bills even when they don’t use the electricity, provide financial collateral and make substantial termination payments if they leave before their contracts expire.
Georgia Power also says large customers must pay upfront for local infrastructure required specifically to serve their facilities.
Company officials argue those requirements prevent residential and small-business customers from subsidizing data center development.
Georgia Power has also pushed back against claims that data center growth will cause residential base rates to increase in the immediate future. The company’s base rates are currently frozen through at least 2028.
Georgia Power says revenue from large energy users is actually expected to benefit residential customers. Beginning in 2029, the company projects that additional revenue from large-load customers will provide benefits equivalent to approximately $102 per year for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month.
The Georgia Public Service Commission has taken a similar position, saying its rules are specifically designed to ensure revenue from data centers reduces — rather than increases — the burden on residential customers.
The growth involved is substantial.
In 2022, Georgia Power estimated that it would need only about 400 megawatts of additional generation during the following seven years. By 2023, as data center development accelerated, that projection had increased to approximately 6,600 megawatts. The forecast subsequently climbed even higher.
In December 2025, state regulators approved a plan allowing Georgia Power to add 9,885 megawatts of new generation, with most of that additional electricity expected to serve large customers such as data centers.
Georgia Power also disputes suggestions that data centers will make electric service less reliable. The company says large facilities generally require dedicated infrastructure and that system improvements constructed to accommodate major new customers can also improve reliability and resiliency in surrounding areas.
Questions About Costs Remain
Despite those assurances, the debate is not settled.
The Public Service Commission voted this summer to investigate whether certain fuel-related expenses associated with data centers and other large customers could still be passed along to residential and small-business customers.
One issue involves costs such as guaranteed natural-gas pipeline capacity needed to supply Georgia Power generating plants. Critics contend some of those expenses may not currently be fully recovered from large customers using certain electricity-rate structures.
PSC public-interest staff has also previously questioned Georgia Power’s projections for future data center electricity demand, raising concerns about the possibility of building generation capacity for projects that ultimately aren’t constructed.
Those concerns are particularly important because Georgia Power is making multibillion-dollar investments in new generation and transmission infrastructure to prepare for expected growth.
The debate has intensified further with several enormous data center developments planned around Georgia, including OpenAI’s proposed $20 billion data center campus in Effingham County near Savannah. The facility is expected to require as much as 3,200 megawatts of electricity, potentially making it the largest individual electricity user in Georgia.
The contract between Georgia Power and the OpenAI project is currently receiving scrutiny from the Public Service Commission as regulators examine whether existing customers are adequately protected from costs associated with serving the massive facility.
Georgia Power maintains that Georgia’s regulatory structure is different from states where rapidly expanding data centers have been blamed for increasing electricity costs.
The company’s message to customers is straightforward: data centers are required to pay their own way, residential customers will not subsidize them, and the additional revenue generated by those large customers should eventually put downward pressure on residential rates.
But with billions of dollars in new power-generation and transmission projects planned, state regulators continue examining whether those protections are working as intended.
Chattooga County Seeking Bids For Phase One Of Tooga Theatre Renovation
Chattooga County is moving forward with plans for the renovation of the historic Tooga Theatre in downtown Summerville, with the county now advertising for bids for the first phase of the project.
According to a public bid notice, Phase One of the Tooga Theatre Renovation Project is being funded through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs under grant number GA-22084.
A mandatory pre-bid walkthrough is scheduled for Friday, August 28 at 10 a.m. Prospective contractors interested in submitting a bid will be required to participate in the walkthrough.
The deadline for contractors to submit bids is September 18 at 10 a.m.
Bids are to be delivered to the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office at 10002 Commerce Street in Summerville by the deadline.
Complete bid documents and plans are available through Gary Lowery of LDG Design Management.
The advertisement represents another step toward renovation of the Tooga Theatre, a longtime downtown Summerville landmark. The first phase will begin the process of renovating the building, with contractors now being sought to carry out the work outlined in the project plans.
Chattooga County reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities in accordance with applicable laws and federal grant requirements.
Livestock Shows Put Agriculture At Center Stage At Chattooga County Fair
The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opens Thursday, and while the rides, music, food and entertainment are popular attractions, agriculture has always been at the heart of the fair.
That tradition will be on full display throughout the four-day event as local young people showcase months of hard work through the fair’s livestock shows.
The livestock schedule begins Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with the Junior Market Goat Show.
On Friday at 5:30 p.m., exhibitors return to the show ring for the Junior Market Lamb Show.
Saturday features a full afternoon and evening of agricultural activities. The Junior Beef Show begins at 1 p.m., followed by poultry judging at 4 p.m. Poultry awards will be announced at 6:30 p.m., with the poultry auction beginning at 7 p.m.
The livestock events continue Sunday with the Junior Dairy Show at 1 p.m. and the Market Hog Preview Show at 6 p.m.
These events highlight the dedication and hard work of Chattooga County’s FFA and 4-H students, who spend countless hours caring for their animals, learning about livestock production and preparing to compete in the show ring.
For these students, livestock projects are about much more than winning ribbons. They teach responsibility, animal husbandry, agriculture, record keeping and the commitment required to care for an animal every day.
The livestock shows also give fairgoers an opportunity to see firsthand the role agriculture continues to play in Chattooga County and to support the next generation of local farmers and agricultural leaders.
All livestock events will be held at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville. The shows are free to watch with the fair’s $5 gate admission, and the livestock barn will be open throughout fair hours.
The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair runs Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30.
Matthew Thomas Named Sole Finalist To Lead Rome-Floyd Development Authority
The Rome Floyd County Development Authority has selected Matthew Thomas as the sole finalist for its president and chief executive officer position.
Board Chairman Jimmy Byars announced the selection Monday.
Thomas currently serves as deputy director of the Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development, where he has worked since August 2023. In that role, he leads existing-industry efforts involving more than 210 manufacturing companies in Bartow County and has also been involved in major recruitment projects, including Hyundai SK Battery Manufacturing of America, Yakult America and Hanwha Qcells.
Byars said Thomas brings 16 years of economic development experience in North Georgia and described him as a strong fit for Rome and Floyd County.
Thomas was born in Dalton and has previously worked with the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Alpharetta and the City of Canton. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in economics from the University of West Georgia.
Thomas said the position would give him an opportunity to join an organization with a strong record of attracting new investment while supporting existing businesses.
The position became vacant earlier this year when former authority president and Chattooga County native Spencer Hogg left to become chief of staff for Congressman Clay Fuller in Washington.
Under Georgia law, Thomas’ background information will remain available for public review for 14 days before the authority takes final action.
The Rome Floyd County Development Authority plans to hold a called meeting on September 8 at 9 a.m. to vote on Thomas’ appointment as president and CEO.
Chattooga County Grand Jury Returns Several Indictments
The latest indictments from the Chattooga County Grand Jury include charges ranging from burglary and criminal damage to property to aggravated stalking, fleeing and terroristic threats.
According to court records, those indicted include:
Jabari Garner, 63, of Kay Drive in Summerville — first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, second-degree criminal damage to property and making terroristic threats and acts.
Gavin Scott Carroll, of Gore-Subligna Road — second-degree criminal damage to property and second-degree burglary.
Israel Dequez Dammond, 21, of Glen Drive in Summerville — aggravated stalking and three counts of obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Amy Ravenelle Pledger, of Two Lynn Drive in Summerville — simple assault, simple battery, two counts of entering an automobile and two counts of obstruction of an officer.
Roy Sanford Price Jr., of Rocky Hollow Road in Pennville — felony fleeing, reckless driving, speeding, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, failure to maintain a single lane and several other traffic violations.
Nathaniel Ratledge, of Scoggins Street in Summerville — battery under the Family Violence Act.
Ricky Anthony Tapp, of Brian Road in Summerville — criminal trespassing and making terroristic threats and acts.
The indictments were returned by the Grand Jury on August 11.
An indictment is a formal accusation and does not mean a defendant has been convicted. Those indicted are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.