District Attorney Randy McGinley and Defense Attorney Kamau Mason: Inside the Fight Against Teen Gun Violence – Episode 48
Welcome to Episode 48 of The Town Square Podcast — the place where Newton County’s most pressing conversations are brought to the table, and where unity, not uniformity, is the aim. In this landmark episode, co-host Trey Bailey sits down with two men who are usually on opposite sides of the courtroom: District Attorney Randy McGinley and Defense Attorney Kamau Mason. Together, they step into the “messy middle” to have a vulnerable and powerful conversation about one of the most urgent issues facing our community — the alarming rise in teen gun violence.
What happens when a prosecutor and a defense attorney agree on something? Something special. Something meaningful. Something that might just change lives.
A Rare Alliance in a Critical Moment
Most days, McGinley and Mason meet in courtrooms — one prosecuting, the other defending. But today, they sit shoulder-to-shoulder, united by concern and conviction. Both men are sounding the alarm on a crisis that hits close to home: young people in Newton and Walton counties picking up guns, making life-altering decisions, and ending up in adult courtrooms far too young.
Their conversation comes on the heels of a newly enacted Georgia law that expands the list of crimes for which children aged 13 to 16 can be tried as adults. And while both men understand the need for safety and accountability, they also express deep concern about how to intervene earlier — before a teenager ends up facing 20 years to life.
“Who are the victims in youth gun violence cases? Other youth,” McGinley says. “We’ve got to break the cycle.”
“Most of our kids aren’t evil,” Mason adds. “They’re making decisions in the dark — shaped by poverty, addiction, peer pressure, and lack of guidance.”
This episode is an open, honest dialogue about solutions — from legislative reform to mentorship, community engagement, and stronger parental involvement.
Meet the Guests
Randy McGinley, District Attorney of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit, has served Newton and Walton Counties since 2011. A graduate of Mercer Law and Georgia Tech, he handles over 6,000 criminal cases per year. A father of two, McGinley is deeply committed to public safety, justice, and community partnerships.
Kamau Mason is a veteran defense attorney based in Lithonia, Georgia. A former educator with 17 years of teaching experience, Mason brings empathy and passion to every client he represents — especially minors. With a background in special education and deep ties to underserved communities, he sees every case as a chance for redemption.
Their shared respect is palpable. And their perspectives, while different, form a powerful harmony.
A Messy Middle Conversation That Matters
From the jump, Trey opens the episode with a simple but powerful question: “What brings you joy today?”
The answers are personal and revealing — a recent fishing trip with family, a milestone birthday, gratitude for the chance to work together despite being on opposing sides. These small windows into their lives set the stage for something bigger: a shared mission to prevent the next 13-year-old from throwing their life away with a gun.
McGinley breaks down the technical details of the new Georgia law — how it shifts jurisdiction for crimes like aggravated assault with a firearm, attempted murder, and school-based terroristic acts into adult court.
“This bill passed overwhelmingly — 45-9 in the Senate, 154-12 in the House,” he says. “It reflects how seriously lawmakers are taking this.”
But Mason asks a critical question: “What happens to the humanity of these kids when we fast-track them into adult courts?”
He advocates for appointing guardians ad litem — court-assigned advocates who can bridge the gap between home life and the courtroom. He recalls past cases where parents inadvertently harmed their child’s defense, simply by trying to help.
“We’re not trying to exclude parents — we’re trying to protect them too,” Mason explains. “Sometimes the parent becomes a witness, or worse — an accessory.”
Why Are Teens Picking Up Guns?
The podcast dives deep into this question. Their answers are clear:
Poverty: Many youth grow up in environments with limited resources, absent fathers, and few positive role models.
Social Media: Disputes that once ended with a fistfight now escalate to gunfire because of public humiliation online.
Cultural Modeling: From celebrities to political leaders, too many public figures glorify confrontation and disrespect.
Lack of Purpose: Boys without a mission are vulnerable. As Mason says, “Every boy needs a mission. If a good man doesn’t give it to him, a bad man will.”
“Boys are built for adventure,” Mason shares. “Our best coaches give them that mission. If we don’t, the streets will.”
McGinley echoes this with a call for parental vigilance: “Your kid’s phone is your phone. Know what’s on it. Know who they’re texting.”
Together, they make a compelling case that early intervention — not just harsher laws — is the real solution.
What Gives Them Hope?
Despite the sobering subject, the episode ends on a hopeful note.
“There’s another dad created every day,” Mason says. “And every day, a new hero is born.”
He recalls former students who rose out of food deserts to attend Georgia Tech. McGinley speaks of moments in court when victims’ families choose forgiveness — a gesture that reminds him of the power of grace.
Bailey closes with a reminder that The Town Square Podcast exists for exactly these types of moments — where different voices, different experiences, and different opinions can come together, not to agree on everything, but to make each other better.
“We’re trying to create a space for unity, not uniformity,” Bailey says. “That’s the messy middle.”
Important Links from Episode 48
· Donate to The Town Square Podcast
A Word from Our Sponsors
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Like What You Heard?
If this conversation moved you, challenged you, or gave you hope — please help us spread the word:
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Until next time — let’s keep it between the ditches.
The Town Square Podcast
Advocates for a Better Newton County
Hosted by Trey Bailey & Gabriel Stovall
www.TheTownSquarePodcast.com
