Trial set for cop accused in '08 Duluth shootout

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Jay Dailey

LAWRENCEVILLE -- A former Duluth police officer accused in a 2008 rampage in which a Fulton County officer was shot and several citizens assaulted is scheduled to stand trial next month, officials confirmed Wednesday.

A jury trial is set to begin June 21 for Jay Dailey, 44. He faces four counts of aggravated assault related to the alleged attacks, in addition to other charges.

Assistant District Attorney Tracie Cason, who will prosecute alongside District Attorney Danny Porter, said she expects the trial to last roughly a week.

Jeff Sliz, a Lawrenceville attorney who's represented suspects in several high-profile Gwinnett cases recently, will defend Dailey.

Dailey was fired by Duluth police days after his February 2008 arrest. He's remained without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail since.

Investigators said Dailey flagged down and assaulted a female motorist the morning of Feb. 1 in the middle of a Sugar Hill roadway, pointed a pistol at two bystanders, then shot and injured off-duty Fulton County police Cpl. Paul Phillips when he stopped to help.

Phillips, who was in uniform, returned fire and struck Dailey in the hand.

Investigators have said Dailey was binge-drinking earlier that morning, which may have triggered his reported meltdown.

Both officers lived near each other, close to the shooting scene.

Phillips has since retired from police work.

Gwinnett Daily Post