Schools

Kelly Marlow's Attorney: "Shocked" At False Statement Charges

The attorney representing School Board Member Kelly Marlow is criticizing the Canton Police Department for its charges against his client.

The attorney representing a Cherokee County School Board member and two citizens isn't mincing words on how he feels about the charges leveled against his three clients.

Attorney Tony Morgese, whose practice is based in Woodstock, said he is "shocked" the Canton Police Department have charged Board Member Kelly Marlow, her partner and political advisor Robert Trim and Cherokee County Republican Party Secretary Barbara Knowles with making false statements to the police.

Along with the felony charge of making false statements, Knowles is also charged with filing a false police report, which is a misdemeanor.

The charges, he added are "very seldom used" in Georgia and, when they are used, they are only related to financial transaction related incidents. 

All three are charged in connection with Knowles telling the Canton Police Department that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo tried to run her over outside The Painted Pig Tavern on East Main Street following the June 13 board meeting. 

Knowles called Cherokee County E-911 dispatchers and said Petruzielo "raced right by me in his white BMW" as she was crossing the street, adding he "just sped up and went right by me."

Trim and Marlow turned themselves in on Saturday and Knowles turned herself over to authorities on Sunday. All three have been released from the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center on bond.

Morgese also criticized Canton Police Chief Bob Merchant's comments he made to the Cherokee Tribune on Friday regarding the charges against her. 

Merchant told the Tribune that while he understands Marlow believes her crusade to bring reform into the school district is noble, he and his department will make sure she's brought to justice. 

"It looks like he’s being vindictive and going after her for political reasons," Morgese added. 

Canton Police Department Lt. Jeff Tucker declined to respond on behalf of Merchant to Morgese's claims. 

"We are just going to say that everything has been turned over DA's (district attorney's) office and we’ll let the court system resolve the issue," he added.

Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney Shannon Wallace said she's waiting to receive the warrants as well as the case file from Canton.

"Once we have received both in our office, we will review the case and make a determination as to what, if anything, needs to be done before the case is presented to the grand jury," she added. 

Meanwhile, over 100 parents, students, teachers and community stakeholders with the Cherokee County School District attended a rally organized by SCRAM, or Smart Citizens Rally Against Marlow, on Monday. Many in attendance called on Marlow to resign her seat, which she's only held for six months.

School Board Attorney Tom Roach said the board is set to meet on July 24 and it would be at the board's discretion on whether or not to discuss the charges against Marlow.  

"There’s no precedent in my experience for a sitting board member to be charged in a crime like this," he said, adding Marlow is "just charged" with — not convicted of — any crime. 

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