District Attorney Randy McGinley and Defense Attorney Kamau Mason: Inside the Fight Against Teen Gun Violence – Episode 48

In this powerful and timely episode of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with two legal professionals who are typically courtroom adversaries — District Attorney Randy McGinley and Defense Attorney Kamau Mason — to discuss a shared concern: the rising tide of gun violence among teens in Newton and Walton counties. With the backdrop of new Georgia legislation allowing 13 to 16-year-olds to be tried as adults for certain crimes, McGinley and Mason dive deep into what’s driving these trends, how the law is evolving, and what can be done to prevent more youth from falling into the criminal justice system.

What follows is a raw, honest, and unexpectedly hopeful conversation that highlights the critical role of community, mentorship, and parental involvement. The two men find common ground in their belief that early intervention, meaningful relationships, and strong role models — particularly for young boys — are key to changing the current trajectory. It’s a true “messy middle” conversation that models the kind of dialogue our divided communities desperately need.