Media Awareness Project

<< PrevAreaAuthorEmailIndexPrintRateSourceTranslateNext >>

US GA: Stephens County Grand Jury Finds Use Of Deadly Force Legally Justified

Share on Facebook Share on stumbleupon digg it Share on reddit Share on del.icio.us
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n1132/a01.html
Newshawk: Jim
Votes: 0
Pubdate: Fri, 18 Dec 2009
Source: Northeast Georgian, The (Cornelia, GA)
Copyright: 2009 The Northeast Georgian
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/TPAOZ85z
Website: http://www.thenortheastgeorgian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3578
Author: Jessica Waters
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Jonathan+Ayers (Rev. Jonathan Ayers)

STEPHENS COUNTY GRAND JURY FINDS USE OF DEADLY FORCE LEGALLY JUSTIFIED

Earlier this morning, the Stephens County Grand Jury returned a presentment concerning the officer-involved shooting death of Jonathan Ayers. 

"On Dec.  15, the grand jury convened in special session to review the matter of the officer-involved shooting death of Jonathan Ayers which occurred in Toccoa, Stephens County, Ga., on Sept.  1, 2009," the presentment states. 

The grand jury reviewed the entire investigative file of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and heard testimony from six witnesses, including Commander Kyle Bryant, Mountain Narcotics Criminal Investigation & Suppression Team ( NCIS ); Agent Chance Oxner, Mountain NCIS; Special Agent in Charge Mike Ayers, GBI; Special Agent Megan Miller, GBI; Agent Billy Shane Harrison, Mountain NCIS; and Charles J.  ( Joe ) Key, expert in police use of force. 

The grand jury stated in the presentment that they "had adequate time to completely review the GBI case file in its entirety."

The grand jury presentment concluded with the following findings: "After careful consideration of the evidence in this case, we the grand jury make the following findings:

"Concerning the investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, we find that the investigation was very thorough, complete, unbiased and well presented. 

"Concerning the actions of the officers involved in the death of Jonathan Ayers on Sept.  1, 2009, we find that the use of deadly force by Agent Billy Shane Harrison was legally justified based upon his objectively reasonable belief that such use of force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or others. 

"Based upon this finding, we the grand jury believe that the officers involved in this incident would be immune form criminal prosecution pursuant to Official Code of Georgia Annotated 16-3-24.2, the presentments state. 

The Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office will be releasing the investigative file to The Northeast Georgian in the near future. 


MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart

<< PrevAreaAuthorEmailIndexPrintRateSourceTranslateNext >>
PrevUS: Charities Criticize Online Fund-Raising Contest by ChaseGet The Facts
DrugWarFacts.org
NextMexico: Drug Lord Slain - 1 Battle Won In Mexico
Latest Top 100 Stories Opinions Queue Donate
Home Resources Listserves Search Feedback Links