Grand Jury Presents Indictments
The Jasper County Grand Jury convened on Monday, August 14, and indicted John W. Kelly with homicide by vessel in the first degree, homicide by vessel in the first degree while under the influence of alcohol, and reckless operation of a vessel.
The charges came as a result of an investigation into the boating accident that occurred on Jackson Lake Easter weekend in which Shane Blackmon was killed when the boat he occupied, operated by Mr. Kelly, crashed into another boat.
Fifteen additional true bills of indictment were also returned by the grand jury as follows:
•Earnest Lee Summers, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine.
•Linda Lou Long, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine.
•Wesley Donald Stephens, terroristic threats and acts, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
•Yogi Yeomans, harassing phone calls, terroristic threats and acts.
•Eula Beatrice Martin (aka Eula Beatrice Johnson), terroristic threats and acts, cruelty to children in the first degree, obstruction of officers, felony; simple battery, battery, obstruction of officers, reckless conduct.
•Anthony O’Neal Card, terroristic threats and acts.
•Grover Lee Campbell, obstruction of officer, criminal damage to property, escape of lawful custody.
•Derek Darnell Campbell, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
•Tyrone Tatus Campbell, possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
•Lee Burch, damaging property of public utility company, theft of services.
•Kandice M. Irwin, aggravated assault, battery.
•Karen Carey, aggravated assault.
•Terry Edward Ryles, Sr., aggravated assault.
•Kevin Wilhite, aggravated assault.
•Robert Rodriguez, aggravated assault.
Also, the grand jury returned two “no bills,” meaning there was not sufficient evidence to indict, as follows:
•Marquetta Standifer, aggravated assault.
•Freddie Major, false statements. The special presentment naming Officer Major, an officer with the Monticello Police Department, was brought by District Attorney Fred Bright. Mr. Bright explained that the prosecution “knew this case was a close call. I thought it was important to send it to the grand jury so that the community could make the decision as to whether Officer Freddie Major should be charged criminally or not.”
The incident leading to the charge of making false statements occurred in May when the officer was in pursuit of a vehicle which subsequently wrecked. Officer Major’s gun discharged into the hood of the car after the accident. Officer Major was not aware he had discharged his gun, and initially said he had not. Once he checked his gun, he said that apparently he had shot.
The officer and his attorney were allowed the opportunity to speak to the grand jury. For the prosecution, Cynthia Wahl with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) spoke, as did Brad Walker with the Georgia State Patrol. Mr. Bright said they presented the fact to the grand jury so they could decide if he should be charged. He commented, that’s how our criminal justice system works.
The grand jury voted to “no bill” the indictment, concluding the officer did not need to face criminal prosecution.
An indictment does not indicate guilt; it merely says there is enough evidence to take the case to Superior Court where it may be settled with a plea bargain or taken to trial.
