‘Egregious’: Atlanta PhD Student Released from Jail After Overzealous DA Locked Him Up While Holding Onto Evidence That Would Have Cleared His Name Nearly a Year Ago

The Clark Atlanta University graduate student accused of shooting another motorist in a road rage incident has been freed after a month in prison. Superior Court Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams ripped the Fulton County District’s Office Monday in her dismissal of the case against 32-year-old Ladavious Dashawn McNair, saying prosecutors held onto evidence exonerating the military veteran and graduate student for nearly a year. Ladavious Dashawn McNair walks out of Fulton County jail to family and friends waiting. (ANF Video Screengrab) “I think this merits a conversation with the district attorney because I agree with you it’s egregious,” said Judge Adams.  Prosecutors came to the judge Friday to petition for a dismissal, saying their witness could no longer identify McNair. The shooting took place in November 2023. The victim told police that he and McNair were involved in a minor accident and, when they stopped, McNair got out of his car, pistol-whipped him and shot him in the leg. McNair has claimed innocence from the beginning, and he had witnesses confirming he was in class when the incident occurred. His professor confirmed it. After seeing a report about the case on television, the witness contacted McNair’s attorney, Marsha Mignott, and...