Recent DNA evidence has revealed a shocking connection between two brothers and multiple unsolved rape cases in metro Atlanta during the 1980s. The DeKalb County District Attorney announced this week that Jeffrey Briney, 59, and David Briney, 62, have been indicted on a range of charges including rape, kidnapping, aggravated sodomy, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.
Jeffrey Briney, facing 30 charges, was apprehended by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit on February 27, while David Briney, indicted on 19 charges, was arrested by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit on the same day. Both brothers are currently being held in jail without bond.
Legal representatives for the Briney brothers are gearing up for a robust defense, with the Georgia Public Defender Council and the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office diligently preparing to advocate for their clients in court.
The crimes in question date back to 1986 when four men invaded an apartment in Brookhaven, holding five students at gunpoint, raping two young women, and looting the premises. Another incident occurred in October of the same year when two men armed with a gun broke into an apartment in Atlanta, sexually assaulting two women and stealing their belongings.
These cases remained unsolved until 2023 when advancements in DNA technology allowed for the testing of previously unexamined rape kits. DNA evidence collected from the victims of the Briarwood Road assault matched Jeffrey Briney, while DNA from the other victim linked David Briney to the crimes. Furthermore, David Briney was also connected to seven additional cases across Cobb and Fulton Counties.
Thanks to the utilization of the FBI’s national DNA database, known as CODIS, investigators were able to identify the Briney brothers through DNA evidence collected at the crime scenes. This breakthrough underscores the importance of ongoing advancements in forensic technology in solving cold cases and bringing perpetrators to justice.
