Former Georgia sheriff denied bond

DECATUR, Ga. -- A judge denied bond Tuesday for a former DeKalb County sheriff accused of killing his successor, saying he could be a threat to the community and intimidate witnesses if he is released.

Sidney Dorsey and two others are charged with killing Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown, who was gunned down in his driveway last December just days before taking office.

Brown had defeated Dorsey in a bitter campaign after promising to clean up corruption. Not long before his death, he had vowed to fire 38 of Dorsey's deputies.

Former Deputy Patrick Cuffy and Paul Skyers, a former employee of Dorsey's private security company, are cooperating with police. They have allegedly admitted being part of a four-man crew that stalked and killed Brown on orders from Dorsey.

Dorsey, who was elected in 1996 as the county's first black sheriff, has denied involvement in the killing and his lawyers say authorities are relying solely on Cuffy and Skyers.

Dorsey, former deputy Melvin D. Walker and David Ramsey are charged with murdering Brown.

Citing anonymous law enforcement officials, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday that Walker, Ramsey, Cuffy and Skyers tracked Brown for days and that they drew straws to see who would pull the trigger.