The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has turned the matter involving the death of Jermaine Jones Jr., 24, over to Augusta District Attorney Jared Williams.
Jones, Jr. died while in police custody.
Williams confirmed the case has been turned over to his office but declined to comment, stating that his office will need time to review the extensive number of records turned over by the GBI.
Jones died on Oct. 18 from injuries apparently sustained while being arrested by Richmond County sheriff’s deputies. The incident occurred during a traffic stop on Highland Avenue.
Jones struggled with multiple officers as they tried to detain him, according to Nelly Miles, director of GBI’s Office of Public and Governmental Affairs.
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“While on the way to the Richmond County Jail, Jones experienced symptoms requiring medical treatment,” Miles said by email at the time.
Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Jones went into a coma and was later pronounced braindead. Jones died exactly one week after the incident.
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The officers involved, identified as Richard Russell, Leslie Gaiter, Parker Leathers and Christopher Brown, reported that Jones had resisted arrest and attempted to flee before being tasered and subdued.
Jones family members have been quoted in the media as saying they were allowed to view footage from two police body cameras, but maintain there are four other separate camera recordings that they have not been allowed to access.
According to Jones’ family, Jones may have been a victim of police brutality.
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According to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen, the official results of the cause of death remain pending by the GBI.
The four officers involved in the case were placed on administrative leave but later returned to active duty.
Because the GBI referred the matter to the district attorney without pressing any charges, Williams can opt to make charges of his own, convene a grand jury or decline to move any potential case forward.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
