Following the unexpected death of Ogeechee Circuit District Attorney Robert Busbee on Friday, the office released a statement of gratitude and an update on the forthcoming transition.
Over the past several days, the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office has experienced an unimaginable loss following the unexpected passing of District Attorney Robert Busbee. As our staff, law enforcement partners, friends, and community continue to process this tragedy, we want to sincerely thank the countless individuals near and far who have reached out with prayers, support, kind words, and compassion.
The outpouring of love shown has been overwhelming in the best possible way. Support has come from every corner of our circuit, across the State of Georgia, and beyond. During a time when words often feel inadequate, that kindness has meant more than we can properly express.
Robert was deeply committed to this office, to the pursuit of justice, and to the people of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. As we move through this difficult transition, our office remains committed to honoring both his legacy and the work he cared so deeply about. Every member of our staff stands ready to support one another and continue serving this circuit with the professionalism and dedication Robert expected of all of us.
After discussions with the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia and the Office of Governor Brian Kemp, Chief ADA Jillian Gibson will serve as Acting District Attorney for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit during the transition period. The Governor is expected to appoint an individual who will serve the remainder of District Attorney Busbee’s term.
The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office respectfully asks for continued prayers and support for Robert’s wife, Erika, their three young sons, and the entire Busbee family as they continue through this difficult time.
With sincere appreciation,
The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office
Who will Kemp Appoint?
Who Kemp will appoint to fill the unexpired term of Busbee remains to be seen, though a number of calls were made to the Governor’s Office by power players within the Ogeechee Circuit both on Friday and over the weekend. The calls suggest that the replacement may not be the Chief ADA, a practice that, historically speaking, has been the norm dating back well before Kemp took office in 2019.
A review of appointments indicates that an appointment of someone other than the Chief ADA or a Senior ADA in the office has occurred on extremely rare occasion.
When the Chief ADA Was Appointed
In April 2026, Kemp appointed Dorothy V. Hull as District Attorney in the Towaliga Judicial Circuit. She was Chief ADA at the time of the appointment. The vacancy was created by elected DA Jonathan L. Adams who left office to run for Superior Court judge.
In December 2024, Tifton Judicial Circuit DA Bryce Johnson passed away just after he’d been re-elected. Patrick Warren was his Chief ADA and served as the acting ADA in the interim. He qualified for the seat, but no one else ran so the election was canceled.
In November 2024, Kemp appointed Sarah Stimac Japour as the District Attorney for the newly created West Georgia Judicial Circuit established by a bill in the legislature. The position was created July 1, but Kemp did not appoint anyone until November 15.
In August 2024, Kemp appointed Robert S. Lane as District Attorney in the Paulding Judicial Circuit. He was the Senior ADA at the time of the appointment. His appointment was a trickle down result of the elected DA’s appointment to the superior court bench.
In May 2024, Columbus District Attorney Stacey Jackson passed away. His Chief ADA assumed the role of Acting ADA for the remainder of the term and no appointment was made.
In March 2024, Kemp appointed Frank Wood as the District Attorney in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. He was the Acting DA at the time of the appointment and had been Chief ADA for the two years prior. His appointment was a result of the elected DA’s appointment to the superior court bench.
In December 2022, the DA for the Blue Ridge Circuit was appointed to serve on the superior court bench, creating a vacancy. In April 2023, Chief ADA Susan Treadaway was appointed to serve out the remainder of the term.
In August 2021, DA George Hartwig of the Houston Judicial Circuit announced he would retire effective September 1. Chief ADA William Kendall served in the interim and Kemp announced in January that he would appoint Kendall to serve out the remainder of the term.
In April 2018, Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Plez Hardin took his own life while under federal investigation. Lewis Lamb, his Chief ADA who was acting DA in his absence, was appointed to fill the position by Governor Deal approximately 45 days after Hardin’s death. Lamb still holds the office in 2026.
When an Alternative Was Appointed
In April 2021, Chase Studstill was appointed to serve as the DA in the Alapaha Circuit, following the vacancy created by the appointment of DA Dick Perryman as a judge in February. Studstill was a public defender at the time of his appointment. According to campaign finance disclosures, the Studstill family donated $92,250 to Kemp campaigns between 2017 and 2021.
In October 2019, Kemp appointed Clayton County Solicitor General Tasha Mosley to fill the DA vacancy caused by the retirement of Tracy G. Lawson. Mosley had been the SG since 2009. The appointment took approximately 120 days.
In February 2019, when Kemp appointed Cobb DA Vic Reynolds to serve as Director of the GBI, Kemp’s appointment of Joyette Holmes as DA came approximately 132 days after the vacancy was created. She was Chief Magistrate Judge at the time of the appointment.
In the vein of timelines from vacancy to appointment, Washington County Solicitor General Michael Howard resigned amidst a scandal in July 2025. An appointment for a replacement was not named until November 2025, nearly 120 days after the vacancy was created.
