CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR: “Press freedom issue raised” POSTELL AND GBI: 4th AMENDMENT VIOLATED, RULED JUDGE WILBUR OWENS

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CHARLES POSTELL, arrested by GBI after his home office was searched illegally while agents were in his home under pretense of protecting Postell and his family, became his own  best story. A storied and notorious career as an investigative journalist had led to being framed by the state law agency he’d often written unflattering articles for The Albany Herald, where he was state editor. US District Judge Wilbur Owens – who hadn’t been a fan of Postell’s but knew dirt when he saw it – ruled the search had been illegal and violated 4th amendment rights. The Albany Herald’s publishers, Jim Gray, Sr. and his son Jim Gray, Jr. filed a $5.5 million lawsuit against the GBI on behalf of Postell.

http://www.csmonitor.com/1980/0829/.Uvl69FzN0x0.email

Charles Postell, investigative journalist, illegal search and seizure GBI

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Charles Postell, investigative journalist, illegal search and seizure GBI

Dougherty County police report of rape victim

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Dougherty County police report of rape victim

My father used to tell me this story and I thought maybe he was making it up. It’s hard to read, but I recently discovered it in his files and realized it was true.

Charles Postell’s hard copy of Albany Herald article

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Charles Postell's hard copy of Albany Herald article

From Georgia Monthly Magazine with Coroner Joe Burton on cover

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From Georgia Monthly Magazine with Coroner Joe Burton on cover

Georgia Monthly Magazine was ahead of its time for a small area like Southwest Georgia when Charles Postell published it. His cover of State Medical Examiner Joe Burton proved controversial, as did the subject matter, revealing the corrupt and incompetent coroner system in the state of Georgia

State Medical Examiner Joe Burton Questions Credentials of Lab Chief

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State Medical Examiner Joe Burton Questions Credentials of Lab Chief

During Charles Postell’s investigation of the murder of Harrison Mobley while a suspect in Sheriff Bud Williford’s custody, he enlisted the services of State Medical Examiner Joe Burton in Atlanta to assist in reviewing the autopsy reports/evidence and revealed the incompetency of Larry Howard’s investigation

Hand-drawn map to secret gambling spot where Sheriff Williford frequented

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Hand-drawn map to secret gambling spot where Sheriff Williford frequented

Investigative journalist Charles Postell, who was also state editor of The Albany Herald, kept files thick with details from his many and varied sources. This hand-drawn map shows the location of a back-woods gambling shack where Mitchell County Sheriff Bud Williford was known to be paid off to allow its continued play, but also joined the all-night tables.

Mitchell County murder which led to Mobley’s arrest, and death

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Mitchell County murder which led to Mobley's arrest, and death

Charles Postell’s coverage of Sheriff Williford’s antics in Mitchell County caused death threats to be a natural part of life in the Postell’s home

Charles Postell’s note regarding Burgess, the deputy in car with Sheriff Williford when Mobley was shot

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Charles Postell's note regarding Burgess, the deputy in car with Sheriff Williford when Mobley was shot

Investigative journalism during the 70s was in its prime; Charles Postell relentlessly exposed the corruption rife in the 30-county Southwest Georgia beat he covered for The Albany Herald. His ongoing feud with Sheriff Bud Williford became a source of public banter, even the fodder for local cartoonists.