East Central Reporter

We requested and received the transcript of the Devin Barger plea deal hearing.

The attorney who was set to go to trial on this case on June 10, 2024, was Elizabeth Dobson, the Moultrie County Assistant State’s Attorney. She was asked to stay on the case by Ruth Woolery, who took office on May 10, 2024. On May 29, 2024, Shelby County State’s Attorney Ruth Woolery appeared in court with her special assistant state’s attorney Dobson and requested a continuance. The continuance was not due to lack of preparation for trial but rather an issue with a witness's availability.

A select few in Shelby County are now attempting to cast blame for the plea deal on Elizabeth Dobson. This indicates they view the deal negatively but prefer deflection over pointing to the actual State’s Attorney responsible for such decisions.

We were present for the entire hearing. Notably, Woolery said nothing during the entire hearing, as confirmed by reading the transcript available at this link or viewed below. Before the hearing began, defense counsel consulted with Woolery on language and reasoning for certain aspects of the plea deal. Dobson provided some input but only after being handed documents by Woolery.