DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has announced the indictments of two brothers in connection with multiple rape cases in metro Atlanta dating back to 1986 and 1987.
Jeffrey Briney, 59, has been indicted on various charges including rape, kidnapping, aggravated sodomy, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Meanwhile, David Briney, 62, faces charges of rape, kidnapping, attempted armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Both brothers were taken into custody on February 27, 2024, and are currently being held without bond.
The crimes in question took place in DeKalb County, with one incident occurring on Briarwood Road in what is now the City of Brookhaven in March 1986, and another on Buford Highway in October 1986. The cases remained unsolved until 2023 when DNA evidence linked the Briney brothers to the crimes.
The breakthrough came when DNA collected from the victims was matched to Jeffrey and David Briney through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The investigative work of the Georgia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (GASAKI) Task Force played a crucial role in identifying the perpetrators.
The GASAKI Task Force, established in 2018, is a collaborative effort involving various law enforcement agencies and victim advocates. The initiative aims to solve cold case sexual assault crimes by processing previously untested Sexual Assault Kits.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) played a key role in processing the DNA evidence, which ultimately led to the identification and indictment of the Briney brothers. Thanks to a federal grant secured by the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), numerous untested rape kits were sent for analysis in 2023, resulting in significant progress in solving cold case crimes.
Investigators are urging anyone with information about the Briney brothers or their unknown accomplices to come forward by contacting the Cold Case Tip Line at 404-371-2444. The authorities believe there may be more cases linked to the brothers and are seeking assistance from the public in solving these long-standing crimes.