Blog note: Another example of a state that appears to have a civil grand jury. The story refers to a new state law. Once again, the Blog staff will investigate and report.
A Dougherty County civil grand jury has decided an Albany Police Officer was justified when he fatally shot a man in September.
Albany Police officer Derrick Williams will not face any criminal charges in the shooting, according to Dougherty District Attorney Greg Edwards.
Officer Williams shot and killed Robert Lee Brown, 55, outside Brown's South Madison Street home on September 7th.
Investigators said Brown had dragged furniture into the street, when Williams stopped to talk to him, Brown stabbed him in the shoulder.
Officer Williams fired his gun, hitting Brown in the back.
Dougherty District Attorney Greg Edwards decided under a new Georgia law to let a civil grand jury hear the investigative report.
The grand jury decided the shooting was justified and recommended no further action.
Edwards said that he agrees with that decision.
"The grand jury spent the day today reviewing witnesses from the scene, and the investigative officers and made a determination that the incident was justified in terms of the actions of officer Williams in relation to the circumstances," explained Edwards.
Edwards decided under a new Georgia law to let a civil grand jury hear the investigative report.
That is allowed under a new Georgia law that supporters said will provide more transparency in officer involved shootings.
Brown's family said on Monday that they did not think the process was fair, and they did not expect the officer to be indicted.
December 20, 2016
WALB
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