Drugs. Say the word and images of back alley deals spring to mind. Yet, as we can see from Monday's three-county bust at mostly local convenience stores, the problem of illegal drug use is much more insidious and has threaded its way into the norms of everyday life. You may well have walked into many of these stores to pay for filling up your car with gas, or perhaps a soft drink as you drove to or from work. You may well have had one of your children with you as you wandered the aisles, looking for those few quick pick up items needed at home - some milk or a bag of potato chips to go with tomorrow's lunch. [continues 236 words]
I have been following the letters in the newspaper concerning Pastor Ayers. I have read where a couple of people talked about the jury. They were saying that it was the jury's fault. I feel that they did what they were told behind closed doors to do, which was to vote not guilty. I feel that the GBI didn't find the two officers guilty, but I did. Since the state legislators are meeting at the Capitol, I would like for them to get rid of the GBI because they cover up for the police officers and for some of the elected officials wrongdoings. I would like to see the State of Georgia get rid of the GBI and take that money and put it to good use by helping the taxpaying people of Georgia. Charles Timko Clarkesville [end]
The much anticipated and long delayed investigation is complete. After amending the rules in favor of the narcotics agents, D.A. [Brian] Rickman turned the Ayers case over to a grand jury. The result: A group of local citizens found that this was indeed a situation where it was justified to shoot an unarmed man sitting in his car, in the middle of town, in broad daylight. I'm 62 years old, and the disgust I feel about living in an area where there are people who not only allow but condone this abuse of the law is overwhelming. Many weeks ago, I suggested in this paper that control of this case should be taken out of local hands. Federal intervention was the only hope for justice to prevail. The corruption and dirtiness that exists in this "good old boys" network is stronger than even I suspected. [continues 202 words]
Reading through the 1,100-word GBI investigative case file regarding the shooting death of the Rev. Jonathan Ayers in Toccoa by an undercover drug agent on Sept. 1, there is a common thread on many of the witness statements. Ayers, who died in or following surgery at Stephens County Hospital that night, apparently thought he was being robbed and otherwise didn't know why agent Billy Shane Harrison fired two shots at him. At least that's what is indicated by witness interviews. [continues 472 words]
A Stephens County grand jury has determined that undercover drug agents will not face criminal charges in connection with the Sept. 1 shooting death of the Rev. Jonathan Ayers. Now that the determination has been made, Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brian Rickman is speaking out about the case. "The first thing you have to determine is whether the shooting was legally justified and, if so, are they acting in self-defense or the defense of others," Rickman said. Under Georgia law, a person has a right to defend himself or herself. Was that the case? [continues 713 words]
The verdict is in. A Stephens County Grand Jury has determined that members of the Mountains Judicial Circuit Narcotics Criminal Investigation and Suppression Team would not face criminal charges in the Sept. 1 shooting of Jonathan Ayers. He later died from his wounds at Stephens County Hospital. The shooting came as drug task force members sought to stop and question Ayers as he was leaving a convenience store. Store security video showed drug enforcement agents driving into the store's parking lot and at least two men exiting the large unmarked vehicle. When the men next appeared in the video they had their weapons drawn and were moving about a car exiting a parking spot. [continues 285 words]
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. [continues 191 words]
The Rev. Jonathan Ayers' widow, Abby, is not pleased with the procedure being used to review his death. That information came to light Thursday with the release of a statement on her behalf from the law firm of Myers & Stroberg LLP in Gainesville. Ayers was shot by undercover drug agents in a convenience store parking lot in Toccoa on Sept. 1. The case will be presented to a Stephens County Grand Jury on Tuesday, Dec. 15. "I appreciate District Attorney Brian Rickman meeting and communicating with me and my attorneys over the past three months since the shooting death of my husband," a statement issued by Ayers through her attorneys reads. [continues 306 words]
There were more feet moving than normal at Habersham Central High School Monday morning. That's because a half dozen law enforcement canines from northeast Georgia were on site to conduct a drug sweep. Organized by Sgt. Jeff Sosebee of the Habersham County Sheriff's Office, the search also included canine teams from the Georgia Department of Corrections, Hall County Correctional Institute, Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office and Cornelia Police Department. "We had a thorough search - multiple dogs," said HCHS Principal Jim Van Hooser at the search's conclusion. "It was very successful in that they didn't locate any drugs - either inside or outside the building." [continues 111 words]
The shooting death of the Rev. Jonathan Ayers by undercover drug agents in Toccoa on Sept. 1 calls for answers. Certainly, the public demands it and Ayers' family and the agents involved deserve it. The investigation into the incident is close to wrapping up, with the latest timetable pushing out the conclusion until around the first of November. While no one wants the quest for answers to drag out unnecessarily, similarly we should not expect any less than a full and complete investigation - one that brings conclusive answers. [continues 270 words]
We have a very disturbing local situation that suggests some armed law enforcement personnel need continuing education in their understanding of what it means to work in a free society. I have received numerous complaints suggesting a rising trend of unprofessional police behavior and abuse. The tragedy concerning the Rev. Jonathan Ayers cries out for decisive and firm corrective action. Many citizens are demanding prosecution of the shooter. This case may present an opportunity to apply "Restorative Justice," although the victim's family must be the last word on such an alternative. Restorative justice is gaining favor for consideration by a judicial system that many see as broken. [continues 288 words]
Regarding the undercover drug agents who shot and killed Rev. Jonathon Ayers; they were not justified in killing that young man. Any legal talk about immunity for the officers is an insult to our intelligence. Those undercover agents killed a young man in cold blood because they wanted to talk to him. ????? Get the man's tag number. Surely I am not the only person around here who sees this as a total abuse of power. If they can shoot him for no reason and get away with it, they can shoot anyone. [continues 62 words]
