Community Prosecutor Seeks Public Showing in Career Criminal's Bond Hearing

A career criminal with some 21 arrests going back to 1990 is slated to have a 9:30 a.m. bond hearing Oct. 23 at the Fulton County Courthouse.

Allen Goddard of Decatur, is scheduled to appear before Judge Walter Lovett on an auto break-in charge in a Sept. 14 incident.

Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Keith Lamar, who is the Zone 6 community prosecutor, will seek to have bond denied to Goddard. He wants residents to show up to to impress upon the court the impact crime has on neighborhoods.

Goddard's prior arrests include charges of cocaine possession, rape, aggravated assault, peeping Tom, theft and breaking into motor vehicles.

Lamar explained why he will ask the judge to deny bond in a note he sent to Zone 6 communities, which includes East Atlanta, Ormewood Park, Reynoldstown and Inman Park:

On September 14, 2013 Defendant Allen Goddard was observed by police crouching down and hiding behind a car he was suspected of entering without the owner’s consent.  The observing officer detained and subsequently arrested Defendant Goddard who had on his person stolen items belonging to the car theft victim.

Defendant Goddard is a repeat offender with an extensive criminal history of numerous arrests and felony convictions. He was recently arrested for a similar auto theft crime; for which he entered a plea at his bond hearing, was sentenced to probation and, upon release, committed the same crime again in less than 24 hours. At this October 23, 2013 Bond Arraignment Hearing, it is anticipated the Defendant will enter a plea and the defense attorney will again request the judge give the Defendant a bond.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE WILL BE OPPOSING ANY REQUEST FOR BOND. The presence and support of the community is greatly appreciated.

If you plan to attend this CourtWatch date please contact Citizens’ CourtWatch Coordinator Reiko Ward at 404-699-5297 orReiko.Ward@fultoncountyga.gov .