Deven Barger Plea Deal Hearing Transcript –

Shelby Co. (ECWd) –

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 10th, 2024 was Elizabeth Dobson, the Moultrie County Assistant State’s Attorney who was asked to stay on the case by Ruth Woolery who took office May 10th, 2024. On May 29th, 2024, the State, which is Shelby County State’s Attorney Ruth Woolery, appeared in court with her special assistant state’s attorney Dobson and requested a continuance.  That continuance was not because they were not prepared 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 the employee of State’s Attorney Woolery, Elizabeth Dobson.  That fact appears to indicate they too see the deal as a negative but rather than pointing to the actual State’s Attorney who makes those decisions, deflection becomes the narrative.

We were present for the entire hearing and the one thing that was most interesting was the fact Woolery said nothing the entire hearing as can be confirmed from reading the transcript that can be downloaded at this link or viewed below.   We note that prior to the beginning of the hearing, the defense counsel was consulting with Woolery on language and reasoning for certain language for the plea deal.  Dobson provided some input but only after being handed documents by Woolery.