This week a 21-member Grand Jury chose not to indict a Sherrif's Deputy in Georgia who shot an unarmed man twice in the head on a highway stop about a year ago.
This is one of the few instances of a no bill. They argued over the facts for about 41 minutes before deciding that they wouldn't follow the prosecutors recommendations.
Normally the prosecution will cease if the grand jury returns a no bill, but in this case there is also a civil case that could come and a federal case. Under the doctrine of dual soverignty if the state decides not to indict, such action does not bar a federal investigation and ultimately federal charges.
It seems that in this situation there might not have been enough facts to indict the former deputy on the crimes the prosecutor was charging.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
No Bill in Columbus, Georgia
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