Crime & Safety
Grand Jury Recommends Indictment of Avondale Estates Police Officer for 2013 Shooting
Police say the suspect stole a car, ran a red light, crashed the car, then attacked the officer, who shot and killed him.
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A civil grand jury has recommended that a criminal grand jury decide whether to indict an Avondale Estates police officer for the killing of a suspect in 2013.
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According to WSB-TV, Sgt. Lynn Thomas shot and killed Jayvis Benjamin, 20, in January of 2013 after stealing a car. Police say Benjamin sped through a red light, crashed the stolen car, then got out of the vehicle and attacked Thomas, who was forced to fire in self-defense.
However, the civil grand jury had a close look at the evidence and made a “strong” recommendation for a criminal indictment to District Attorney Robert James, who told WSB-TV that he would convene a criminal grand jury and try for an indictment.
Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estatesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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