Federal authorities arrest men acquitted in slaying of Sheriff-elect

<p>Two men acquitted by a DeKalb County jury in the slaying of Sheriff-elect Derwin Brown were arrested by federal authorities Wednesday in connection with the case.</p><p>Melvin Walker, 39, was in custody in Atlanta, where he was to face an eight-count indictment accusing him and David Ramsey of conspiring to violate the federal murder-for-hire statute and using interstate facilities to kill Brown, authorities said.</p><p>The interstate charges relate to allegations that they used cellular phones to help facilitate the plot, the indictment said.</p><p>Ramsey, 32, was arrested Wednesday in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, authorities said.</p><p>The charges against the two were filed Tuesday but were sealed until they were arrested.</p><p>Arraignment for Walker was scheduled for Thursday, said Patrick Crosby, public affairs officer for the U.S. Attorneys Office. Walker and Ramsey have made initial court appearances, Crosby said. Walker said in court that he would need an attorney, Crosby said.</p><p>According to the indictment, Walker was told he would be promoted to the position of deputy sheriff if he took part in Browns slaying. Ramsey was promised a job as a detention officer. From August to December, the two, along with at least one other coconspirator, conducted surveillance on Browns home before killing him, the indictment said.</p><p>Brown, who campaigned to root out corruption, defeated former Sheriff Sidney Dorsey in a primary runoff in August 2000. He was killed three days before he was to have been sworn in.</p><p>In this case, Mr. Browns murder undermined our democratic process for the election of law enforcement officials, U.S. Attorney Bill Duffey said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.</p><p>It is important to vindicate this substantial federal interest and we will continue to work closely with DeKalb County to bring to justice those responsible for Mr. Browns death.</p><p>Dorsey was convicted in July 2002 of masterminding Browns Dec. 15, 2000 murder at his DeKalb County home. He was the only defendant convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence. Walker, the accused triggerman, and Ramsey, his alleged backup shooter, were acquitted. They were tried a few months before Dorsey.</p><p>Coconspirators Patrick Cuffy and Paul Skyers testified against Walker, Ramsey and Dorsey in state court under an immunity deal.</p>