GA: fallen-ness

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Public defender falls from grace - English faces 2 years in prison, likely disbarment

Arthur English's short legal career was punctuated by a quick rise — and a mighty fall.

English was only 28 when the state named him the public defender in the Griffin Judicial Circuit, which takes in four counties, including Fayette. But now, just 21 months after his office opened, English's career is in ruins. He was convicted of having stolen property and probably will be disbarred after being sentenced Friday in Lamar County Superior Court, a block from his house in Barnesville.

English was ordered to spend two years in prison despite testimony from 23 witnesses — most fellow lawyers — that he was a splendid attorney, boss and person... "It was given to me very fast — and it was taken away very fast," English said in an interview earlier in the week. "It's been a humbling and disheartening experience."

His is the story of a life that quickly unraveled. A fatal car wreck, a troubled brother and even a murder-for-hire plot all played a part in English's demise... In Barnesville... townspeople can't seem to agree:

Was English blinded by family bonds? Or did he knowingly help his brother, John "Mac" English, a thief who wanted two wildlife rangers killed? Karen Martin, a lifelong Barnesville resident and attorney, said Arthur English's mistake was he didn't distance himself from his only sibling.

"I begged him not to get involved, but he said, 'He's my brother,' " Martin recalled. "He has a helluva brain. If he had used it he could have done a lot of good. Never will I understand throwing away what he had."

Now, both... will be in prison...