Peachtree City

Mayor Steve Brown has joined the chorus of those seeking answers about

the status of a local magistrate accused of using racial slurs while performing

his duties.

The Fayette

County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored

People is also inquiring about the status of the investigation against

chief Fayette Magistrate Judge A.K. Melear.

Melear is accused

of using the racial slurs and inquiring about the race of suspects when

police officers sought his approval for various arrest warrants. The charges

were lodged by fellow Fayette magistrate judge Joe Tinsley back in March

with the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission. Melear has previously

declined to comment on the allegations.

"He either

did it or he didn't," Brown said Saturday at a news conference held

'we found nothing' or initiate the court proceedings."

The JQC will

not confirm whether a complaint has been filed, but if any action is recommended

against Melear, the documents will become a public record.

Brown said

the outcome of the inquiry could affect numerous criminal cases, meaning

the matter should be resolved swiftly.

"The longer

he stays on his seat, the greater chance his cases may be continued and

may put legitimate criminals on the street ... because of his influence,"

Brown said.

Wanda Robins,

president of the local branch of the NAACP, said the JQC has informed

them it would not confirm whether a complaint against Judge Melear had

been received.

Robins also

noted that Melear has chosen not to comment on the allegations.

"Judge

Melear has the opportunity to publicly defend himself," Robins said.

The local NAACP

wants to make sure the JQC is aware of its expectations and that if any

wrongdoing is proven, that Melear be removed from office.

"We take

these charges very seriously," Robins said. "We will be watching

closely to ensure that justice will prevail."

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