DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County's district attorney, Sherry Boston, announced Friday that her office would be withdrawing from all cases concerning the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.
A release cited "ongoing discussions" with partner agencies involved in the long-running saga over the facility, called "Cop City" by protesters, "about the evidence and charges in those cases."
RELATED: DeKalb DA is recusing herself from deadly 'Cop City' shooting -- but not case surrounding protesters
"Recent conversations between those agencies have revealed a fundamental difference in prosecutorial philosophy," Boston's release stated.
The cases involve domestic terrorism charges against dozens of people who have been arrested at the development site of the facility in the South River Forest, which has been occupied at times by protest encampments.
There have been instances where equipment has been lit on fire at the build site along with other acts of vandalism and damage. The protest groups have strongly disputed the characterization of their activity as extremist, and their defense attorneys have argued in some instances that language used in arrest warrants was too vague when specifically referencing who damaged property or assaulted an officer
Boston's release said the Georgia Attorney General's Office would take over the cases.
“My team and I have worked diligently to reach a consensus with the Attorney General’s Office on charging decisions in these cases,” said DA Boston. “At this point, I have decided it is best that we allow them to move forward with the charges they feel are warranted.”
Boston had previously recused her office only from one case - the use-of-force investigation into the shooting death of a protester, Manuel Paez Teran, in January in an incident where a Georgia State Patrol trooper was also shot.
Officials have said Paez Teran shot first at a Georgia State Patrol trooper as a clearing operation of the encampments was ongoing, then was killed in return fire. Paez Teran's family and activists have strongly contested the official narrative. The lack of bodycam videos - which are not worn by state law enforcement officers such as GSP troopers or Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents - has left unresolved what exactly happened.
Boston left open the door to handle any further cases at the public safety training center site.
"The mission of the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office to safeguard the community through vigorous and fair prosecution remains intact. Should there be any future arrests related to the training center, the DeKalb DA will address those cases like any other in our jurisdiction," the release stated.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr released a statement saying his office is committed in moving forward with prosecuting people who have engaged in or supported violent acts surrounding the training center.
"If you shoot police officers, throw Molotov cocktails at law enforcement, vandalize private homes and businesses, and set fire to police vehicles and offices, you will be held accountable," the statement said. "We will not waver when it comes to keeping Georgians safe and putting a stop to violent crime in our state."