WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

David Ratliff

One of the four individuals convicted in the burning of Rock Hill Church near Gaylesville, Ala,, more than 10 years ago – is once again behind bars in Cherokee County. On Wednesday (May 5th) – 30 year old David Ratliff of Lyerly, Georgia, appeared before Circuit Judge Randall Cole; Ratliff was in court for a Probation Revocation, in relation to his failure to pay restitution in accordance with the provisions previously outlined by the court. Judge Cole sentenced Ratliff to serve a period of 12 months, in the Cherokee County Detention Center. Ratliff along with three others from Chattooga County, Georgia – who were all in their teens at the time, were convicted in the burning to the ground of Rock Hill Church in late 1998 – at the time of the arrests all four were charged with both Burglary and Arson, in connection with Rock Hill, and the Oak Bowery Church. Ratliff pled guilty on October 15th of 2001, and was given two years to serve – receiving credit for time served prior to the plea (388 days). All four individuals were required to pay in the making of restitution to the church as a condition of their sentencing – the total amount ordered, has still yet to be met.