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vs.
CRIS-139S-JS
CRIS-1396-JS
JASON KENNY,
CRIS-1397-JS
MAXINE EVANS,
GREGORY BROWN,
Defendants.
ORDER
ON MOTION FOR GAG
ORDER
AND
MOTION TO DISMISS AND MOTION TO INTERVENE
Before the Court is a Motion for a Gag Order filed by the District Attorney
of
the Eastern
Judicial Circuit and a Motion to Intervene filed by WSAV . Having read and considered said
motions, Special Appearance Response in Opposition to State s Motion for Imposition
of
Gag
Order, all argument and evidence
of
record 2and the applicable law, including that presented at
the hearings on July 8, 20 IS the Court finds as follows:
FINDINGS OF FACT
Defendants in the above styled case were indicted on June 24, 20 IS
The
indictments
The Court considered the arguments in the Motion to Intervene filed by
WSA
V, as well
as the State s response to the motion.
The
Court has considered the newspaper articles submitted in exhibits
one
and two and
additionally considered the flash drive provided by WSA V as those documents were properly
authenticated. The Court did not consider the disks
of
the Claiborne interview which were
attached to Exhibit 2 nor did it consider the disk attached to the
WTOC
affidavit as those disks
were not properly authenticated.
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arose out
of
the death
of Matthew
Ajibade, an inmate at the
Chatham County
Jail.
Also
pending
is CV15-0441 styled
l St
Lawrence
Sheriff
a/Chatham County Georgia
and
Meg Heap
District Attorney
vs WSA V Inc and
A den ike Hannah Ajibade
and
Solomon Oludamisi Ajibade
which concerns the disclosure
of
certain documents and records related to the investigation.
Formerly pending
was
CV15-0532 styled Adenike Hannah Ajidabe Solomon Oludamisi Ajidabe
and Christopher Oladapo
vs
Meg Heap
in
Her Capacity as Eastern Judicial Circuit District
Attorney which was filed by attorney Will Claiborne on June 9, 2015 in an
attempt
to have the
district attorney disqualified from investigating or presenting criminal charges related to the
death
of
Matthew Ajibade.
This
action was subsequently dismissed by
order
of
the Court on
July 2, 2015.
The State filed the instant Motion for Gag Order in which it seeks a gag order against the
parties and counsel for and all agents
of
all parties, including attorneys for the
victim s
family
and the Defendants.
They
argue that counsel for the victim s family have made extrajudicial
comments addressing potential trial issues to various media outlets and they attach a number
of
articles in support
of
their contentions.
Counsel for Defendant Maxine Evans argued that there is no evidence before the Court to
support any motion for gag order against any
of
the Defendants.
Counsel for Adenike Hannah Ajibade, Solomon Oludamisi Ajibade and Christopher
Oladapo filed a Special Appearance Response in Opposition to the State s Motion for Imposition
of
a Gag Order in which he argues that the
State s
Motion should be denied for the following
three reasons: (1) the Court may restrain only those parties and lawyers involved in the above
captioned proceedings; (2) the State failed to allege any facts to
support
its assertion that counsel
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for the victim's family are subject to the Court's exercise of its equitable power in these
proceedings; and (3) counsel for the
victim's
family has a constitutionally protected right to
speak critically of the government's handling of a case.
WSAV filed a Motion to Intervene in the action for the limi ted purpose of opposing the
State's Motion for Imposition of a Gag Order.
At the hearing on the motion for gag order, the State submi tted a
number
of newspaper
articles. William
Claiborne
and
Mark
O'Mara, both attorneys for the family of Matthew
Ajibade, are quoted in the various articles.
Some
of
the statements
attributable to Claiborne, although not
exhaustive,
are as follows:
(1) [t]he fact that nine people were fired tells us how terrible this incident was. But the family
still has no answers about
what
happened to Matthew.
We
again call on the sheriff and DA to be
transparent while
we
seek
justice
for Matthew. ; (2) You have to be beyond incompetent to have
tried to get that charge and have failed." We need a fair and impartial prosecutor. (3)
The
family was very distressed to learn the cause and manner of death from their
son's
death
certificate.; (4) Right now because the family has been given no info as to what happened they
can't do anything but grieve. They can't have an opinion about
what
this means that these people
were let go. Except that what happened to their son was truly horrific." ; (5) He said that the
sheriff
s office has been too
slow
to release infonnation in the case.
I expect
that all
of
the
people who have committed any criminal act should be charged, that if anyone took steps to
enact a policy tha (sic) this to occur, that that individual be charged. ; (6) The family is very
distressed to learn that their son was murdered at the jail, with the release, the leak of the death
certificate." We have been asking since January for openness, we have been asking for
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transparency. You saw here yet again the sheriff refusing to provide information." "They should
simply be humane and tell this family what happened
to
their son."; (7) "Every piece
of
information this family has received about their son has been on the news media, or today, Face
book." If he was in a holding cell with blunt force trauma for two hours, why wasn't h
checked in?" ; (8) For at least two hours, Matthew was in a holding cell after apparently having
sustained significant blunt force trauma, after apparently having been tased while in full
restraints."; (9) "You don't just punish the infantry men who fired the fatal shot, you punish the
general who made the call." If the sheriff had a cu( sic) of violence in his j ail, then he needs to
be the subject
of
an investigation and
it
appe(sic) me that due
to
personal relationship and
political relationships, the DA
is
choosing
to
engage in that type of investigation." ; (l0) [i]fthe
district attorney is not willing to then we have no choice but to go to court and bring those
conflicts
to
light."
We're
specifically concerned that the investigation needs
to
go from the top
down of the sheriff solely on the individuals who may have made bad decisions and engaged
in
criminal conduct.
...
"
Some
of
the statements attributable
to
Mark Q'Mara, although not exhaustive, are as
follows: (I) There's no blame yet. There are
just
a lot of questions."; (2)
Matthew
was going
places, and they were good places. And we need to know why he's never going to get there."; (3)
If this guy is in boxing stance, getting some good jabs in, maybe that's not mental illness. If
he's swinging around crazy and his mental illness affected what was going on, that's what they're
supposed
to
be trained to deal with." If you break a cop's nose, yes, it's a felony, you're going
to get charged, fine.
What's
not supposed
to
happen are injuries caused to a guy because he hit a
cop- and it ends up killing him. If that's what happened, that's first degree murder." "You don't
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die from bipolar disorder in a restraining chair." "
If
he had bee white, would the cops have
listened
to
his girlfriend and taken him
to
the hospital? I
don't
know." What I do know
is
his
family deserves to know what in God's name happened to their son."; (4) A guy who was
bipolar dies in a restraining chair." You don't die from bipolar disorder. They need to get a
cohesive explanation out as soon as possible. Not only does the family deserve it, the public
does. There area lot of Black males being killed
in
circumstances that
don't
make much sense."
"The fiance was calling for help, then you lose him." We
don't
know the cause of Matthew's
death." "The Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation conducted an autopsy on January 6
lh
and we
expect to get an answer as soon as possible. But even
if
we discover the cause
of
Matthew's
death, the autopsy
won't
necessarily tell us why Matthew died. Why wasn't he taken to the
hospital? Did officers take into account Matthew's mental illness? How was he allowed to die
while in officer 's care? You are not supposed to die from bipolar disorder." "In the wake of
Michael Brown and Eric Garner, there is a crisis of confidence in our criminal justice system."
"There is an opportunity now for leaders in Savannah, Georgia
to
show the nation how to
properly deal with this type of tragedy. We and the rest of the nation is watching." ; (6) "The
Chatham County Sheriffs office has made
n
important first step
in
suspending two officers who
interacted with Matthew Ajibade the night of his death, but it is only a first step. A young man
is
dead, and he shouldn 't be. The family deserves to know why as soon as possible, and we expect
the Chatham County Sheriffs office will be forthcoming, transparent, and expedient in releasing
information about this case."; (7) "Let' s say that they had the autopsy results for three weeks,
four weeks, five weeks, which I think they have. Why are they not telling us? One reason why is
because they don't want us to know. That's not acceptable. We deserve to know. Even ifits
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bad and it may be
bad, I think
we may
find out that Matthew did not just die
o
natural causes
coincidentally
to
be
in
the jail." "They're telling
us
they are working
on it.
They first said
it
would take a few weeks for an autopsy. That's long done
by
now and we don' t know what
it
said." "Police everywhere need to
be
trained
on
how
to
handle mentally ill individuals. They
have
to.
When you take someone who's
in the
throes
o
a mental event and then incarcerate
them, you're doing the exact opposite
o
what they need. They need help. They need immediate
care."; (8) The disciplinary action against
the two
deputies are "a good small step
in
holding
people responsible for their actions." "We still need questions answered how Matthew's life
was
taken from him." " Ajibade
was
diagnosed with bipolar disorder three years ago and
was
having a medical emergency
at
the time o
his
arrest
and
confinement.".; (9) "Metro Police had
an opportunity
to
use a certain amount
o
discretion and I don't know how they decided
to
use
it.
I know that that discretion could have been-
and it is in
many cases-
to
take a person
0 the
hospital. They may have very good reasons for using their discretion- we just don't know yet." ;
(l0) O'Mara said
he
suspects Ajibade
was
having a manic episode at the jail when deputies "beat
the (expletive) out o him to get control o him." The indictment is "too little to late." "The fact
that
the
grand jury found that there
was
aggravated assault coupled with the fact that there was a
death should have
led to
a felony murder charge unless Heap wasn't really trying
to
secure that
charge." "That's been our concern
all
along that she
was
going
to
whitewash this case
as
a
benefit
to the
sheriff and in derogation to Matthew's death." "It would be nice
to
say every one
o them should have been charged with murder, but that might be unrealistic. But here's my
frustration: We have been kept so in the dark about the facts in the case that we really don't
know." ; (11) "(The district attorney) failed
to
get a felony murder indictment, and that is her
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responsibility."
They
are disappointed that nine out of 12 people involved in their son or cousin
or brother's death have gotten
away without
any criminal liability."
(12) Op
Ed piece written by
Mark O'Mara entitled Response to Sheriff Al St. Lawrence's Press Release ; (13) It
demands
further, absolute
transparency.
First of all, they knew (the cause
of
death) back in January,
I'm
sure. This (death certificate) was signed May 8, and a month later we find out about it. I
just
don't see how
they can
be so insensitive to the
man,
and insensitive to
the family's
grief.
They
have hid this from us for five months. It makes no sense.
Also
submitted
into
evidence
was an affidavit and a flash drive
from WSA
V -TV which
contained interviews
with
family
attorney
William
Claiborne
after
the
press conference
by
Sheriff Al St.
Lawrence.
In the interview given by Mr.
Claiborne,
he makes a
number
of
statements including that Matthew Ajibade was murdered, that
apparently
for at least
two
hours
he was in a holding cell after having apparently sustained blunt force
trauma,
and apparently had
been tased while in full restraint.
Called to testify at the
hearing
were the following four
witnesses: Kristen
Fulfort, J.J.
Haire,
Dana Campbell and
Ricky Becker. Kristen Fulfort, the public information
officer
for the
District Attorney's office, testified regarding email requests from various
media
outlets for a
comment from the district attorney regarding the instant
case
. J.J. Haire, who is employed with
the victim
witness office
of the District Attorney's office, testified that
she
had been instructed by
an
employee of Mark O'Mara's office, that all
communication
to the
victim's
family, should be
directed through his office. Dana Campbell, with Sidney A. Jones and Campbell Funeral
Services, and Ricky Becker, an investigator with
the Chatham County
District Attorney's office,
testified regarding the release of the death certificate of Matthew j ibade.
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CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
"Few, if any, interests under the Constitution are more fundamental than the right to a fair
trial by 'impartial' jurors, and an outcome affected by extrajudicial statements would violate that
fundamental right." [cit omitted]. To guarantee a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a fair
trial, the Supreme Court has placed
"an
affirmative duty on trial
court's
to guard against
prejudicial pretrial publicity." [cit omitted]. Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
et.a!. V. State, 266
Ga. App. 168, 169, 596 S.E.2d694 (2004). "There can be no question that a criminal
defendant's right to a fair trial may not be compromised by commentary, from any lawyer or
party, offered up for media consumption on the courthouse steps." [cit omitted]. United States
v
Brown, 218
F
3d 415, 424, (2000).
The U.S. Supreme Court said in Sheppard v Maxwell, 384 U.S. 333, 350-351,86 S.Ct.
1507,
16
L.E.2d 600 (1966):
'(l)egal trials are not like elections, to be won through the use of the meeting-hall, the
radio and the newspaper' . [cit omitted]. 'freedom of discussion should be given the
widest range compatible with the essential requirement of the fair and orderly
administration of justice. , [cit omitted]. But it must not be allowed to divert the trial from
the 'very purpose of a court system to adjudicate controversies, both criminal and
civil, in the calmness and solemnity of the courtroom according to legal procedures.'
Mr. Justice Holmes stated in Patterson v Colorado, ex reI., Attorney General, 205 U.S.
454,462,27
S.D. 556, 558,
51
L.Ed 879 (1907): "[t]he theory of our system is that the
conclusions to be reached in a case will be induced by evidence and argument in open
court, and
not
by
any outside influences, whether private talk or public print."
Georgia Bar Rule 3.6 provides
[a] lawyer who is participating or has participated in the investigation or litigation
of
a
matter shall not make an extrajudicial statement that a person would reasonably believe to
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be disseminated by means
of
public communication if the lawyer knows or reasonably
should know that it will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing an
adjudicative proceeding in the matter.
( c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a lawyer may make a statement that a reasonable
lawyer would believe is required to protect a client from the substantial undue prejudicial
effect of recent publicity not initiated by the lawyer or the
lawyer's
client. A statement
made pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to such information as is necessary to
mitigate the recent adverse pUblicity.
American Bar Association Disciplinary Rule DR 7-107 (A) provides:
[a] lawyer participating in or associated with the investigation of a criminal matter shall
not make or participate in making an extrajudicial statement that a reasonable person
would expect to be disseminated by means of public communication and that does more
than state without elaboration:
(1)
Information contained in a public record.
(2) That the investigation is in progress
(3) The general scope of the investigation including a description of the offense and, if
permitted by law, the identity of the victim.
(4) A request for assistance in apprehending a suspect or assistance in other matters and
the information necessary thereto.
(5) A warning to the public
of
any dangers.
In the case
of
Atlanta Journal -Constitution et.a . V. State, 266 Ga. App.
168,596
S.E.2d694 (2004) the Court found that Rule 3.6 requires a finding that extrajudicial statements to
the media will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing a trial. Id. at 170.
Additionally, the trial court must make specific findings
of
fact based
on
evidence
of
record
regarding the possible impact of extrajudicial statements upon the forthcoming trial.
The District Attorney moves the Court for an order directed at
the
parties and counsel
for all agents of all parties, including the attorneys for the victims family and the Defendants to
refrain from making any statements regarding or releasing information concerning, the above-
referenced case that they know or reasonably should know will have a substantial likelihood of
materially prejudicing an adjudicat ive proceeding "
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The Court finds that the State has failed to present any evidence regarding any
extrajudicial statements made by the Defendants or their attorneys and therefore, the request for a
gag order as to these parties is DENIED.
On the other hand, the State has presented a plethora of evidence, including but not
limited to newspaper articles and interviews, evidencing extra judicial statements made by
William Claiborne and Mark O Mara, both of whom have identified themselves as attorneys for
the Ajibade family.
With regard to attorney William Claiborne, he has made a number of
extrajudicial
statements, including but not limited to, statements regarding lack
of
information provided to the
family of Matthew Ajibade, statements regarding facts surrounding the death
of
Matthew
Ajibade, and the investigation by the District Attorney. He has given interviews to the television
stations and made comments which have been posted n various newspaper articles regarding the
instant action. Because of his filing
of
an action for mandamus against the District Attorney's
office requesting her removal with regard to her prosecution of the instant matter, the Court finds
that he has participated in the litigation of a matter. as contemplated by Georgia Rule of
Professional Conduct 3.6 (a) by inserting himself into the litigation.
Therefore, the only question which remains is whether the extrajudicial
comments
made
by Mr. Claiborne will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing the trial. The
Court finds that they will. This Cour t has presided over a number of high profile cases, one
of
which required that ajury be selected from citizens outside Chatham County and is well versed
n pretrial publicity affecting the selection of a fair and impartial jury. The Court finds that the
statements made by William Claiborne, which began after the death of Matthew Ajibade on
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January 1,2015, and has continued into June 2015, are an attempt by counsel to create sympathy
for the family
of
Matthew Ajibade. Mr. Claiborne indicated
in
his petition for mandamus that
the Ajibade family will be filing a civil suit against any and all patties responsible for the death
of
Matthew Ajibade and has indicated that there is a significant probability that Defendant Heap
will be named as a defendant in that action. The Court finds that the numerous statements made
by William Claiborne
over
the past six months will have a substantial likelihood
of
materially
prejudicing the trial because they will affect the ability to secure an unbiased jury panel and could
result
in
a change
of
venue.
The Court
is
not persuaded by the arguments
of
counsel that this Court does not have
jurisdiction to restrain him because he is not an attorney representing a party in the above
captioned proceedings. The Court has found that Mr. Claiborne has participated in the
litigation
of
this matter by insetting himself through the filing
of
a mandamus action to remove
the district attorney. He
is
clearly bound by Georgia Rule
of
Professional Conduct 3.6.
Additionally, while counsel for the victim's family has a constitutionally protected right to speak
critically of the State s handling of a case, this must be balanced with the trial court s affirmative
duty to ensure that the Defendants' receive a fair trial.
Therefore, based upon the foregoing, the
COUlt
GRANTS the
State s
request with regard
to a gag order as to attorney William Claiborne.
As to attorney Mark O Mara, who also has indicated that he is an attorney representing
the Ajibade family, the Court finds that a number of extra judicial statements have been made,
including an op ed piece that was written in response to the press release issued by Chatham
County Sheriff Al St. Lawrence. Mr.
O Mara
has not filed a motion to be admitted pro hac vice
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pursuant to Unifonn Superior Court Rule 4.4.
3
The COUlt finds that since Mr. O'Mara has not
filed a motion
to
be admitted pro hac vice, he is not subject
to
Georgia Rule o Professional
Conduct 3.6.
He is
subject to American Bar Association Disciplinary rule DR 7 1 07(A),
however, that rule only provides for a lawyer participating in or associated with the
investigation
o
a criminal matter. The
COUlt
finds that
no
evidence has been presented
to
indicate that Mr. O'Mara has participated in the investigation o the criminal matter, only that he
has participated in the litigation, for example, by advising the victim witness advocate that his
office
is
the contact for the Ajibade family. Although
it is
concerning
to
the
COUlt
that
Mr.
O'Mara
has
made numerous extrajudicial statements regarding this matter and
has
participated
in
the litigation o this matter, the
COUlt
finds that it has
no
jurisdiction over him
in
which
to
issue
a gag order.
The Court further finds that nothing in this order is directed at the media, and therefore,
it cannot
be
classified
as
a prior restraint. See Atlanta Journal-Constitution et.al. supra at
168.
WHEREFORE, pursuant
to
Georgia Bar Rule 3.6, T
IS
HEREBY ORDERED,
ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the State's Motion for Gag Order is GRANTED as to
William Claiborne, a Georgia licensed lawyer, who is governed
by
the Georgia bar rules. Mr.
Claiborne
is
prohibited from making any statement that he should know will have a substantial
likelihood of materially prejudicing an adjudicative proceeding
in
this matter. He
is
entitled
to
comment on those subjects
as
outlined
in
Comment 5(B) under Rule 3.6 o the Georgia Rules o
Professional Conduct. This order shall be in effect until such time as there is a resolution
is
the
JThe Court notes however that Mr. Q'Mara appeared at a hearing on June 29, 2015 before
the Honorable Michael L. Karpf in CV 15-0532 and was allowed
to
sit at counsel table with
William Claiborne
to
assist.
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above styled cases
SO ORDERED this
cc: ll parties
fl day
o t L r -
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,
IN THE
SUPERIOR
COURT OF CH TH M COUNTY
1/ :' D}t
ST TE OF GEORGI
l St. Lawrence, Sheriffof Chatham )
County, Georgia, and Meg Heap, District )
Attorney, )
Plaintiffs, )
v. ) Civil Action No. CV15-0441-KA
WSA V, Inc., Adenike Hannah )
Ajibade and Solomon Aludamisi Ajibade, )
Defendants. )
ORDER
This action for declaratory judgment was filed by the sheriff and district attorney of
Chatham County. Plaintiffs seek a declaration from the court protecting them from the obligation
to release certain records sought by defendant WSA V arising from the death
of
an inmate at the
. Chatham County Detention Center. Subsequent to the filing of this action the surviving family of
the inmate, Mathew Ajibade, sought to intervene as defendants. The intervention was without
objection and was granted.
Following the death
of
Mr. Ajibade, the
sheriffs
office launched an internal investigation
into the circumstances and also called in the GBI. As a result of the
sheriff
s investigation, a
number of deputies and employees were either fired, resigned or retired. The sheriff turned over
his internal investigation to the GBI, and the GBI ultimately delivered its report and the
accompanying evidence
to
the district attorney. Subsequently, the grand
jury
returned
indictments against two deputies and a health care employee who worked at the jail.
The Open Records request filed
by
WSA V seeks the records from the
sheriffs
internal
affairs investigation of the incident. The sheriff and district attorney oppose release
of
this
material, relying on the pending prosecution exemption contained in OCGA § 50-18-72 (a)( 4).
WSAV, for its part, contends that the internal affairs investigation has concluded, and therefore
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pursuant to 50-18-72 (a)(8) should be released. As well, WSAV argues that the pending
prosecution exemption does not apply to the sheriff because the
sheriffs
office is an agency that
is the subject
of
the pending investigation or prosecution."
OCGA
§ 50-18-72 (a)(4).1
Upon careful consideration
of
the arguments and the controlling principles of law, the
court concludes that these records are not subject to release as requested. Although the court
acknowledges the points made by WSAV, the fact remains that an active prosecution of
individuals involved in the unfortunate death ofMr. Ajibade is pending. The court finds it
impossible to parse out the sheriffs internal investigation from the prosecution, such that one
portion of the record should be released while the remainder is not.
t
is also difficult to reconcile
why the investigation by the sheriff should be released, while the same information in the hands
of the DA is protected by the exception in subsection (a)(4). As noted in earlier decisions,
subsection (a)(4) "broadly exempts from disclosure the entirety
of
such records to the extent they
are part of a 'pending investigation or prosecution' .. " Unified Government Athens-Clarke
County v Athens Newspaper LLC 284 Ga. 192 (2008), citing Atlanta Journal Constitution v
City Brunswick 265 Ga. 413, 414 (1995). Ifthe same records being used by the district
attorney to prosecute the pending indictments can simply be obtained from the sheriff, the
legitimate purpose
of
the exception would be frustrated, i.e., the protection of a pending
prosecution.
The court is aware that there is wide spread public interest in this case. The court also
recognizes the obligation of
WSA
V and the other news organizations to report on matters
of
public interest, as well as the public's right of access to records of the institutions of government.
n
the present case, however, the question is not whether the information will be disclosed, but
when. The court notes that at least one of the indicted defendants has filed a demand for speedy
trial which will accelerate the trial process. The public's right to know will be satisfied during the
trial, which will be sooner rather than later. Any release
of
the information sought at this juncture
lUnder this subsection, if the agency is the subject of the investigation, then the pending
investigation or prosecution exemption does not apply. Here, the sheriffs office i tself was not
being investigated, rather individuals who worked for the sher iff were under investigation for
their role in the death.
2
8/20/2019 Mathew Ajibade Case (Full list of documents)
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/
wouldfly inthefaceof thepurposeof thelegislativelyenactedexemption.
Thecourtalsonotesthatrelease
of
thismaterial,especiallythevideofromjail
surveillancecameraswould likelybebroadcastanddisseminatedwidelyinthisjurisdiction,as
wellasinotherpartsof thestate.Thecourtexpectsthatthiswidespreadreleasewouldhavea
significantimpactonjuryselection,makingitdifficulttoobtainafairandimpartialjury forthe
upcomingtrial.
Accordingly,thecourtdeclaresthatplaintiffsarenotrequiredtodisclosethematerial
soughtbydefendantspursuanttotheOpenRecordsact.
2
SO OR ERE thisJ Q dayof July,2015.
MichaelL Karpf,Chief Judg SuperiorCourt
EasternJudicialCircuitof Georgia
cc: Sarah
R
Craig,Esq.
DavidE.Hudson,Esq.
R
JonathanHart,Esq.
Jennifer
R
Burns,Esq.
WilliamR.Claiborne,Esq.
BatesLovett,Esq.
PatrickT.O Connor, Esq.
2In light
of
theforegoing,thecourtfindsitunnecessarytoaddresstheclaimsof the
interveningdefendants.
3
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8/20/2019 Mathew Ajibade Case (Full list of documents)
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OFFICE
OF
THE SHERIFF
CHATHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
h-ill
Al
St laweme
Chief Detuq
Roy
J.
Harris
Enforcenent
Opetatbrs
Admiistratm
Colonel Brian
M.
Counihan,
Sr.
Assistant
Enforcenenr Adminisnat,r
Major
Russell
A.
Smith
Enforcement
Bureau -
PO. Box
10026
- Savannah,
CA 31412
Jail
-
1050
Carl
cd{fin
Drive, GA
31405
Jail
Adminirtrdtot
CoioEi
Thonas
M.
Gilb€,g
As
sisant
I
ail
Admintsmar
Melissa
S.
Kohne
lail
Opentiats
Major
Kimberly
c.
Middleron
Iail
SecuitL
Major
Cloria G. Wilson
May
8,
2015
Corporal
Jason
Kenny
Chatham
County
Sheriffs
Office
Corporal
Kenny:
Effective
today,
you
are
terminated
from
your
employment
with
the
chatham
County sheriffs
Office.
As
you
are
aware,
your
actions
on January
1, 2015
that resulted
in
the
death of
an
inmate
are
under
investigation
by
the
District
Attorney
and
the
Georgia
Bureau
of
Investigation.
|
find
sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment irrespective
of the
outcome of
any
criminal investigation.
In
addition
to termination,
please
note
that
the
Sheriff
will
report
this
mater
to
the
Georgia
Peace
Officers
Standard and
Training
(POST)
Council.
You
are
directed
to turn
in
your
badge,
keys,
and all
other
County
issued
property
and
equipment,
remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may have,
and
exit
the
premises.
your
finar
paycheck
will
be mailed
to
you
at
your
home
address
on
file.
you
can
expect
a
separate
package
from Human
Resources
regarding
any
pension
information
and
eligibility for
consolidated
omnibus
Budget Reconciliation
Act
(coBRA)
continuation
of
group
health
coverage.
You
have
7 days
from
the
receipt
of this letter
to
appeal
Should
you
have
questions,
you
may contact
either
the
the
County
Attorney's
Office.
my decision
to
Sheriff
Al St Lawrence.
Human
Resources
Director,
Carolyn
Smalls,
or
Sincerely.
5'd-/s
Telephone
(912)
652-7634
.
Fzx
l9lZl
652.7
660
Glephone
(912)
652-7650
.
Fax
(912)
652.7660
Colonel Brian
M.
Counihan,
Sr.
8/20/2019 Mathew Ajibade Case (Full list of documents)
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OFFICE
OF
THE
SHERIFF
CHATHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
r.""ift
AI Sr
faurena
Cl|.ief
Detuq
Roy
J.
Harris
Enforcemnt
Operatiors
Adninis*ator
Colonel Brian
M.
Counihan,
Sr.
Assista^t
E^forceme
t
Ahnir.isnatai
Major
Russell
A.
Smirh
Enfotcement
Bureau -
PO. Box 10026
,
Savannah.
cA 31412
Jail
-
1050
Carl
Griffin
Drive, GA
31405
Corporal Maxine
Evans
Chatham
County
Sheriffs Office
Corporal
Evans:
Effective
today,
you
are
terminated from
your
employment with
the
Chatham
County
Sheriffs
Office.
As
you
are
aware,
your
actions
on
January
1, 2015
that
resulted in
the death
of an
inmate
are
under
investigation
by
the
District
Attorney
and
the
Georgia Bureau
of Investigation.
I
find
sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment irrespective
of the outcome
of
anv
criminal investigation.
In addition
to termination,
please
note
that the
Sheriff
will reoort this
matter
to
Georgia
Peace
Officers
Standard
and
Training
(POST)
Council.
This
is
to
inform
you
that
your
employment
with the chatham
county
sheriffs Department
is
terminated
effective
immediately.
The results
of
an
Internal
Affairs
investigation
regarding
the
events
that
led
to the
death
ofan
inmate
on
January
t,2ols,
which
included
a
review
ofyour
conduct,
has led
to the
conclusion
that
your
termination
is warranted.
You
are
directed
to turn
in
your
badge,
keys,
and all
other
County issued
property
and
equipment,
remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may have,
and
exit
the
premises.
your
final
paycheck
will
be mailed
to
you
at
your
home
address on file.
you
can
expect a separate
package
from
Human Resources
regarding
any
pension
information
and
eligibility
for
Consolidated
Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation
Act
(COBRA)
continuation
of
group
health
coverage.
You
have 7
days from
the
receipt
of
this letter
to
appeal my decision
to
Sheriff Al
St
Lawrence.
Should
you
have
questions
other than the
request
to
appeal
your
termination,
you
can
contact
either
Human
Resources
Director,
Carolyn
Smalls,
or
the
County
Attorney's
Office.
la.il
Adninisttdtor
Cololel Thoma M.
Ciiberg
Assisttlnt
I
ail Admi^istrator
Mel
sa S. Kohne
Jail
Opetutiors
Major
Kimberly G.
Middleron
luil
Secuntl
Major
Cloria G.
Wihon
Telephone
(912)
652-7634
-
Fax
(9lz)
652.7660
Telephone
(912)
652.7650
-Fzx
(9rZ)
652-7660
Sincerely,
8/20/2019 Mathew Ajibade Case (Full list of documents)
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OFFICE
OF
THE SHERIFF
CHATHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
h.ill
Ai
Sc laueff€
Ckef Deputl
Roy
J.
Harris
Enlorccmert
Opetatbns Adminktraror
Colonel
Brian
M.
Counihan,
Sr.
Assistant
Erforcement Adminbtratcn
Major
RussellA.
Smith
Enforcement
Bureau
.
PO. Box 10026 -
Savannah,
GA ll4l2
Jail
-
1050
Carl Griffin
Drive,
GA
31405
May 8, 2015
Private Eric Vinson
Chatham County
Sheriffs Office
Private
Vinson:
Effective
today,
you
are terminated from
your
employment with
the Chatham
County
Sheriffs Office. I
find
sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment.
The totality
of
the
circumstances
of
your
employment, to include
but not limited
to
your
actions and
inactions ofJanuary
l, 2015
that
resulted
in the
death of an inmate, merit
your
dismissal.
The
District
Attorney
is
currently reviewing
that
internal investigation
as
well
as
the
investigation conducted
by
the
Georgia
Bureau
of Investigation.
lrrespective
of whether or not
any
action is taken
by
the
District Attorney,
I
conclude
your
termination
is warranted.
You are
directed to turn in
your
badge, keys,
and all other
County issued
property
and
equipment, remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may have,
and exit the
premises.
Your
final
paycheck
will
be mailed
to
you
at
your
home
address on file.
You can expect
a
separate
package
from Human
Resources regarding
any
pension
information
and
eligibility for
Consolidated
Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation
Act
(COBRA)
continuation of
group
health
coverage.
You have
7 days
from
the
receipt of
this letter
to
appeal
my
decision
to
Sheriff
Al
St
Lawrence.
Should
you
have
question
other
than a request
to
appeal
your
termination,
you
can contact
either
the
Human
Resources Director,
Carolyn Smalls,
or the County Attorney's
Office.
lail
Adni^isnabr
Colorel Thom
M.
Gilberg
Assiltant
I
ail
Ahninbtratjr
Melissa
S. Kohne
lail
ODerutbr"
Major
Kimbeny
G Middleton
Iail
Sednq
Major
Gloria G. Wilson
Terephone
(912)
652-7634
.
Fax
(9r2)
652.7660
Telephone
(912)
652-?650.
Fax
(912)
652'?660
8/20/2019 Mathew Ajibade Case (Full list of documents)
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OFFICE OF
THE SHERIFF
CHATHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
hm//
Al
St lauren..
CIi.l
DetutJ
Roy
J.
Hanis
Enforcefienr
OpentiorLt
Adminkl:,atot
Colonel Brian
M. Counihan,
Sr.
A.ssistant
Enlorcanett
Adninisttaar
Major
Russell
A.
Smith
Enforcement
Bureau
,
PO. Box 10026
-
Savannah,
GA 31412
JaiI .
1050
Carl
Griffin
Drive,
cA
31405
May
8,
2015
Private
Abram
Burns
Chatham
County
Sheriffs
Office
Private
Burns:
Effective
today,
you
are terminated from
your
employment with
the chatham
County sheriffs
Office. I
find
sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment.
The totality
of the
circumstances
of
your
employment,
to
include
but not
limited to
your
actions and
inactions
ofJanuarv
1,
2015
that
resulted
in
the
death
of
an
inmate,
merit
your
dismissal.
The District
Attorney
is
currently
reviewing
that internal investigation
as
well
as
the
investigation
conducted
by
the
Georgia
Bureau
of Investigation.
lrrespective of
whether or
not
any
action
is
taken by
the District
Attorney,
I
conclude
your
termination
is
warranted.
You are
directed
to turn
in
your
badge, keys,
and all other
County issued
property
and
equipment,
remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may have,
and exit
the
premises.
your
finat
paycheck
will be
mailed
to
you
at
your
home
address
on
file.
you
can
expect a separate
package
from
Human Resources
regarding
any
penslon
information
and
eligibility
for
Consolidated
Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation
Act
(COBRA)
continuation
of
group
health
coverage.
You have
7 days from
the receipt
ofthis
letterto
appeal my decision
to SheriffAl
St
Lawrence.
Should
you
have
question
other than a
request
to appeal
your
termination,
you
can contact
either
the
Human
Resources
Director,
Carolyn
Smalls,
or
the
County
Attorney's
Olfice.
Colonel
Brian M.
Counihan.
Sr.
.-ga--7'/{
lo.il
Adminknatur
ColoEl Thotus
M.
cilbds
I. sL\un
r
I
ail
Adminis|.Jatot
Melissa S. Kohoe
lail
OpefltiLms
Major
Kimberly
G.
Middleton
Jdil
Secrnry
Major Gloria C. Wilson
Telephone
(912)
652-7634
'Fax
l9r2)
652-7660
Telephone
(912)
652-76 50
-
Eax
\9121
652.7
660
8/20/2019 Mathew Ajibade Case (Full list of documents)
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OFFICE
OF
THE
SHERIFF
CHATHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
h.r,/l
Ai
St
laserce
Chief Deputy
Roy
J.
Hanis
Enforcenent Operariors AdrninLstratar
Coloncl Brian
M. Counihan,
Sr.
Assiswlt
E^[orcement
Administratot
Major
Russell
A.
Smith
Enforcement
Bureau
-
PO. Box 10026
-
Savanruh.
GA
31412
Jail
-
1050
Carl Grifffn Drive, GA
31405
May
8,
2015
Private
Christooher Reed
Chatham County
Sheriffs Office
Private
Reed:
Effective
today,
you
are
terminated
from
your
employment with the chatham county
Sheriffs Office. I
find
sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment.
The
tota lity
of
the
circumsta
nces
of
your
employment,
to include
but
not limited
to
your
actions
and
inactions
ofJanuary 1,
2015
that
resulted
in the
death
of an
inmate,
merit
your
dismissal,
The
District
Attorney
is
currently reviewing
that internal
investigation
as well as the
investigation conducted
by the
Georgia Bureau
of Investigation.
lrrespective
of whether or not
any
action
is
taken by the District
Attorney, I
conclude
your
termination is warranted.
You
are directed
to turn
in
your
badge,
keys, and all other
County
issued
property
and
equipment,
remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may
have,
and exit
the
premises.
Your
final
paycheck
will
be mailed
to
you
at
your
home
address on
file.
You
can expect a separate
package
from
Human
Resources regarding
any
pension
information
and
eligibility for
Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act
(COBRA)
continuation
of
group
health
coverage.
You have 7
days
from
the receipt
of this
letter
to
appeal my decision
to
Sheriff
Al
St Lawrence.
Should
you
have
question
other than a
request
to
appeal
your
termination,
you
can
contact
either
the
Human
Resources Director,
Carolyn
Smalls,
or
the
County
Attorney's
Office.
Colonel Brian
M.
Counihan.
Sr.
J7-a'
lail
Ad'f'iniliabt
Coloael T[ornas M. Gil]og
Asststa^t
lail
Administrator
Melissa
S.
Kohnc
lail
OperutiorLs
Major
Kimberly G.
Middleron
Jdil
Secrn )
Major Cloria
G.
t0ilson
Terephone
(912)
652.7634. Fax
\9t2),
652.7
660
Grephone
(912)
652.7650
.
Fax
\9121
652-7660
/J
8/20/2019 Mathew Ajibade Case (Full list of documents)
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OFFICE
OF THE SHERIFF
CHATHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
l€rif/
Al
Sr
lautence
Chief
Depur)
Roy
J.
Hanis
Enforcenart
Wario
s Administraror
Colonel Brian
M.
Counihan,
Sr.
^sistant
Enfarceme
r Adrniflit]'lator
Majot
Russell
A.
Smith
Enfotcement
Bureau
-
PO. Box 10026
-
Sarannah,
GA
3l4r2
Jail
-
t050 Carl
Griftin
Ddve, GA
31405
May
8,
2015
Private Burt
Ambrose
Chatham
County
Sheriffs
Office
Private
Ambrose:
Effective
today,
you
are
terminated from
your
employment
with
the
Chatham County
Sheriffs
Office.
I
find
sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment.
The
totality ofthe
circumstances
of
your
employment,
to include
but
not
limited
to
your
actions
and inactions
ofJanuary 1,
2015
that
resulted
in
the
death
of
an
inmate,
merit
your
dismissal.
The District
Attorney
is currently
reviewing
that internal
investigation
as
well
as
the
investigation conducted
by
the
Georgia
Bureau
of Investigation.
lrrespective
of whether or
not
any
action
is
taken
by
the District
Attorney,
I conclude
your
termination
is warranted.
You
are
directed
to turn in
your
badge, keys,
and
all
other
County
issued
property
and
equipment,
remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may have,
and exit the
premises.
your
final
paycheck
will
be mailed
to
you
at
your
home
address on
file.
you
can
expect
a separate
package
from
Human Resources
regarding
any
pension
information
and
eligibility
for
Consolidated
Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation
Act
(COBRA)
continuation
of
group
health
coverage.
You haveTdaysfrom
the receipt
ofthis
letter
to
appeal my decision
to
Sheriff
AlSt
Lawrence.
Should
you
have
question
other than
a
request
to
appeal
your
termination,
you
can
contact either
the
Human
Resources
Director,
Carolyn
Smalls,
or
the
County
Attorney,s
Office.
JcLiI
Administratar
Colonel
Thoms
M. Gilkrg
Assi,ra
t
|ail
1lmi^isna@r
Melissa
S. Kohne
lail
Operatiav
Major
Kimberly
G.
Middleton
lail
Secwitl
Major
Gloria G. Wilson
Telephone
(912)
652-7634
.
Fax
l9l2l
652-766o
"felephone
(912)
652.7650
.
Fax
(9121
652.7660
Colonef Brian
M. Counihan,
Sr.
{_
f,-
,z-S-
8/20/2019 Mathew Ajibade Case (Full list of documents)
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mathew-ajibade-case-full-list-of-documents 24/75
OFFICE
OF
THE SHERIFF
CHAIHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
l'..if
AlStl,avmce
Chiel
Depuq
Roy
J.
Harris
Enforcenmt
Ope'anf'x
Admink/laror
Colonel
Brian
M.
C,ounihan,
Sr.
Assiuant
Enfofte''.{' t
AdminisnatI.t
Major
Russell
A.
Smith
Enforcement
Bureau
.
PO. Box
10026
-
Savannah.
GA
31412
Jail.
1050
Carl
Grifftn
Drive,
GA
31405
May
8,
2015
Private Frederick Burke
Chatham
County
Sheriffs
Office
Private
Burke:
Effective
today,
you
are
terminated from
your
employment
with the
Chatham
county
Sheriffs
Office. I
find
sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment.
The
tota lity
of
the
circumsta nces of
your
employment,
to
include but not limited
to
your
actions and inactions
ofJanuary 1,
2015
that
resulted in
the
death
of an
inmate,
merit
your
dismissal.
The
District
Attorney is
currently
reviewing
that
internal investigation
as
well
as the
investigation
conducted
by
the
Georgia
Bureau
of Investigation.
lrrespective
of whether or not
any
action
is taken
by
the District
Attorney,
I
conclude
your
termination
is
warranted.
You
are
directed
to turn
in
your
badge,
keys, and
all
other
County
issued
property
and
equipment,
remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may have,
and exit
the
premises.
your
final
paycheck
will
be mailed
to
you
at
your
home address
on file.
you
can expect
a separate
package
from Human
Resources
regarding
any
pension
information
and
eligibility for
Consolidated
Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation
Act
(COBRA)
continuation
of
group
health
coverage.
You
have
7
days
from
the
receipt
of this letter
to
appeal
my decision
to
Sheriff
Al
St
Lawrence.
Should
you
have
question
other
than
a request
to
appeal
your
termination,
you
can
contact
either the
Human
Resources
Director,
Carolyn
Smalls,
or
the
County
Attorney's
Office.
Colonel Brian
M.
Counihan,
Sr.
"-17-
6-
lail
Administtatot
Colotul fiornas M. cilbds
Assistr;nt
I
ail
AdminLt:,ator
Melissa
S.
Kobne
lail
Opentins
Major
Kinberly
C.
Middleton
lail
SecuitJ
Major Glorie G.
Vihon
Glephone
(912)
652.7634
-
Fax
1912)
652-7660
Telephone
(912)
652-7650
-Eax
(9t2)
652,7660
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OFFICE
OF
THE SHERIFF
CTIATHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
hfJifl
Ai
Sr
la@ence
Chizf Dqtr
Roy
J.
Harris
Enforcement
O4ations
Adminktrarot
Colonel Brian M.
Counihan,
Sr.
Assistant
Enforcenmt Administtatot
Major
Russell
A.
Smith
Enfotcement Bureau
-
PO. Box 10026
-
Savannah,
GA 31412
Jail
.
1050
Carl
Griffin
Drive, GA
31405
May
8,
2015
Private
Andrew Evans-Martinez
Chatham
County Sheriffs
Office
Private
Evans-Martinez:
Effective
today,
you
are terminated from
your
employment
with the chatham
County Sheriffs office.
I
find sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment. The
totality of
the circumstances of
your
employment,
to include but
not limited
to
your
actions and inactions
ofJanuary 1, 2015
that
resulted in
the death
of an
inmate,
merit
your
dismissal.
The
District Attorney
is currently
reviewing
that internal investigation
as well
as
the
investiSation
conducted
by
the
Georgia
Bureau
of Investigation.
lrrespective
ofwhether
or not
any action is
taken by
the
District
Attorney,
I
conclude
your
termination is
warranted.
You
are directed
to
turn
in
your
badge,
keys, and
all other County issued
property
and
equipment, remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may have,
and exit
the
premises.
your
final
paycheck
will
be mailed
to
you
at
your
home
address on file. You
can expect
a separate
package
from
Human
Resources regarding
any
pension
information
and eligibility
for
Consolidated
Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation
Act
(COBRA)
continuation of
group
health
coverage.
You
have 7 days
from
the
receipt of this letter to
appeal my decision
to
Sheriff
Al
St
Lawrence.
Should
you
have
question
other than a request
to appeal
your
termination,
you
can contact
either the
Human
Resources Director,
Carolyn Smalls,
or
the
County
Attorney's
Office.
JdilAdminiJt'aror
Colonel
TtDmai
M.
Gibers
Assisrant
I
atl AdrniflittJ atar
Melissa
S.
Kohne
ld'il
Opetutiot:'s
Major Kimberly
C.
Middleton
Jdil
Seclrit)
Major
Cloria G. Mlson
Telephone
(9r2)
652.?634
.
Fax
(912)
652.7660
Telephone
(912)
652-?650
.
Fax
l9r2l
652.7660
Colonel
Brian M. Counihan.
Sr.
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OFFICE
OF
THE SHERIFF
CHATHAM
COUNTY,
GEORGIA
iailt
AIS
lrwence
Chief
De\ut)
Roy
J.
Harris
Enfarcement
apcrations
k)ministr attr
Colonel
Brian
M.
Counihan,
Sr.
Assistant Enforc cment
N)ninktrator
Major
Ru$scll
A.
Snlidr
tsnforcement
Bureau
-
PO. Box
10026,
Savannah,
GA 31412
Jail-
1050
CarlGrifffn
Drive,
GA
11405
May 8, 201s
Private Paul
Folsome
Chatham
County Sheriffs
Office
Private
Folsome:
Effective
today,
you
are
terminated from
your
employment
with
the Chatham
County Sheriff's
Office. I
find
sufficient
policy
violations
to terminate
your
employment.
The
totality
of
the circumstances
of
your
employment,
to
include
but not limited
to
your
actions and inactions
ofJanuarV 1, 2015
that
resulted
in
the death of
an inmate, merit
vour
dismissal.
The District Attorney
is
currently reviewing
that
internal investigation
as
well as the
investiSation
conducted
by
the Georgia Bureau
of Investigation.
lrrespective
ofwhetheror
not
any action is
taken by
the
District
Attorney, I
conclude
your
termination is
warranted.
You
are directed
to
turn in
your
badge,
keys, and
all
other
County
issued
property
and
equipment,
remove
any
personal
belongings
you
may have,
and exit
the
premises.
your
final
paycheck
will be
mailed
to
you
at
your
home
address
on
file.
you
can expect a separate
package
from
Human Resources
regarding
any
pension
information
and
eligibility
for
Consolidated
Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation
Act
(COBRA)
continuation
of
group
health
coverage.
You have
7 days from
the receipt of
this letter
to appeal my decision
to Sheriff Al
St
Lawrence.
Shouldyou
have
question
otherthana
requesttoappeal
your
termination,
you
can
contact
either
the
Human Resources
Director,
Carolyn
Smalls, or
the
County Attorney's
Office.
Colonel
Brian M. Counihan,
Sr.
-f-f't{
Telephone
(912)
652-?634
'
Fax
\912)
652.766A
Telephone
(912)
652-7650
-
lax
(912)
652-7660
Ja l
AJnin
nIr. or
colonel
Thomar v.
G,lbeiq
Asrstant
Jrrii
Adminlstrator
Mcl sr
S.
Kohnc
lail
Opentiotls
Major
KnnbcLly
G.
Middleton
JarlSecanrl
Maj.r
Glffir
c.
\qikon
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Gena Bilbo - Public Information Director
Chatham County Sheriff's Office
Office: 912.652.7606 | Cell: 912.660.9571 | [email protected]
MEDIA ADVISORY
May8, 2015
For Immediate Release
Sheriff St Lawrence Makes Statement
Sheriff Al St Lawrence has taken numerous steps within his department as a result of the death of
Matthew Ajibade. As he said in his statement of Wednesday, the Sheriff deeply regrets the death of Mr.
Ajibade.
On January 2, 2015, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) began its external review of the conductof those individuals within the Sheriff’s Office present at the facility during the incident on January 1,
2015. In a parallel investigation, the Internal Affairs Division of the Sheriff’s Office began a review, not
only of the personnel involved, but of the policies of the Department. Upon receipt of the GBI’s
completed investigation, approximately two weeks ago, the Sheriff instructed Internal Affairs to again
review the actions of the deputies involved as well as the policies of the Department with the evidence
obtained by the GBI. In accordance with those investigations, today the Sheriff has taken the following
steps:
Nine (9) deputies have been terminated from employment today:
Cpl. Maxine Evans
Cpl. Jason Kenny
Pvt. Eric Vinson
Pvt. Abram Burns
Pvt. Christopher Reed
Pvt. Burt Ambrose
Pvt. Paul Folsome
Pvt. Frederick Burke
Pvt. Andrew Evans-Martinez
Greg Capers, Benjamin Webster and Lt. Debra Johnson are no longer employed with the Sheriff Office.
Capers and Webster were terminated for policy violations not related to this incident and Lt. Johnson
has retired.
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Gena Bilbo - Public Information Director
Chatham County Sheriff's Office
Office: 912.652.7606 | Cell: 912.660.9571 | [email protected]
Simultaneously with the release of this statement, the Sheriff is releasing the personnel files and
termination letters of the first nine individuals named above. As both the Internal Affairs and GBI
reports are currently in the hands of the District Attorney for her independent review to take action asshe deems appropriate, the Sheriff is not releasing those reports.
The Sheriff instructed the County Attorney to initiate legal proceedings last Monday in Chatham County
Superior Court to determine if the Internal Affairs files are subject to release during the ongoing criminal
investigation. The Sheriff will abide by the decision rendered by Superior Court. Until such time as the
Court rules or such time as the District Attorney concludes the ongoing criminal investigation, the Sheriff
will not release any additional information.
Also, as announced on Wednesday, the Sheriff has instituted policy changes as a result of these parallel
investigations. Those changes include:
• New booking procedures to ensure immediate notification to onsite medical
personnel when a person with medication arrives for the booking process.
• New security procedures with the jail to audit the use of Taser devices and reconcile
such use with standard documentation and current Use of Force policies.
• The Cell Extraction and Removal Team (CERT) will be reviewed and have a renewed
focus of discipline and use of non-lethal force.
• A clear written policy of when Tasers may not be used.
All questions regarding any potential criminal prosecution should be directed to the District Attorney
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GeneralCivilCaseFilingInformationForm (Non-Domestic)
Court
CountyCHATHAM DateFiled
td.
i OtS
MM-DD-YYYY
Q'
Superior
Docket#
;V15 / O ~ 1 Q . KA
State
PlaintitT(s) Defendant(s)
AJIBADE
ADEN
IKE
H.
Last First
Middle I.
AJIBADE
SOLOMON O.
Last
First
Middle
I
OLADAPO CHRISTOPHER
Last First
Middk1
Suffix Prefix
Sutlix Prefix
Suffix Pft:fix
Maiden
Maiden
Maidt:n
HEAP,MEG
Last
First MiddleI. SUftlX Prdix Maiden
IN
HER
CAPACITYAS EASTERNJUDICIALCIRCUIT
Last First Middle I. Suftix Prefix Maiden
DISTRICTATTORNEY
Last First Middk
1
Suffix Prefix Maiden
Last
First
Middle1 Suffix Prefix Maiden
Last
First
MiddleI. Suffix Prefix Maiden
No. of
Plaintiffs
3
No.
of
Defendants
PlaintifflPetitioner'sAttorney
o Pro
Se
CLAIBORNE WILLIAM R
Last
First Middle [
sumx
Bar #
126363
CheckPrimaryType(CheckonlyONE)
o
Contract/Account
o
Wills/Estate
o
RealProperty
o Dispossessory/Distress
o PresonalProperty
'0 Equity
o Habeas Corpus
o Appeals,Reviews
o
PostJudgementGarnishment, Attachment, or
Other ReI
ief
o Non-DomesticContempt
o Tort
(If tort,fill
in
rightcolumn)
II Other GeneralCivil SpecifYDisqualification
pursuant to
O.C.GA
15-18-5
Tort
is
CaseType:
(ChecknomorethanTWO)
0
Auto Accident
0
Premises Liability
0
MedicalMalpractice
0 Other Professional Negligence
0
Product
Liability
0
Other
SpecifY
Are Punitive Damages Pleaded?
0 Yes 0
No
herebycertify that thedocuments inthisfiling
(including attachments and exhibits)satisfythe
requirements
for
redaction of
personal
or
confidential
information
inO .e.G.A. 9-11-7.1
ENTERED JPK
JUN - 9
2 15
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IN
THE
SUPERIORCOURTOFCHATHAMCOUNTY
STATEOFGEORGIA
ADEN IKEHANNAHAJIBADE,
SOLOMONOLUDAMISIAJIBADE,and
CHRISTOPHEROLADAPO,
Plaintiffs, ) CivilActionNo.: CVlS- b It -J3
v.
'-=>
c::;
MEGHEAPINHER CAPACITYAS
c n
pg
EASTERNJUDICIALCIRCUIT
B
ISTRICTATTORNEY;
I
.:s
efendant.
:z
::::0
.
....
a:>
:-;;
N
§5
N c::::5
PETITION
FOR
MANDAMUSANDDISQUALIFICATION
COMENOWPLAINTIFFS,AdenikeHannahAjibade,SolomonOludamisiAjibade,and
.ChristopherOladapo,andfilethisPetitionforMandamusandDisqualificationagainstDefendant
MegHeap("Heap")inhercapacityasChathamCountyDistrictAttorney,showingtheCourtas
follows:
INTRODUCTION
Plaintiffsfile thisPetitionpursuanttoO.C.G.A§15-18-5 seekingthe disqualificat ion
of DefendantHeap and the officeof the EasternJudicial CircuitDistrict Attorneyfrom
anyfurtheractionininvestigating orpresenting criminalcharges basedupon theactions
whichcausedthedeath of Mathew Ajibadeandforthe appointment of DistrictAttorney
pr
t mpor
inall
matters
relatedto thedeath
of
Mathew Ajibade.
Page1of 12
Ajibade,etal. v.MegHeap
SuperiorCourtof ChathamCounty
ENTERE JPK JUN - 92 15
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JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1.
This is an action brought pursuant to
O CG A §
15-18-5. This Court has jurisdiction to
entertain the Plaintiffs action.
2.
For purposes of venue, all Defendant Heap is a resident of Chatham County, Georgia and
Chatham County, Georgia is the county in which a substantial part of the business described
below was transacted.
O CG A
§9-10-93; Ga. Const. Art. VI, § 2, VI. Venue is proper in this
Court.
PARTIES
3.
Plaintiffs are the immediate surviving family members of Mathew Ajibade, an arrestee
who was killed while in the custody of Chatham County Sheri ff deputies in early 2015.
4.
Defendant Meg Heap is the District Attorney for the Eastern Judicial Circuit and is
subject to suit in actions
of
this kind and nature. Defendant Heap may be served through her
office at:
133
Montgomery St., 6
th
Floor, Savannah, Georgia.
COUNT I
DISQUALIFICATION OF DEFENDANT HEAP
AND THE OFFICE OF THE EASTERN CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY
5.
Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege paragraphs 1-4 as though fully set forth herein.
Page 2
of
12
Ajibade, et al. v. Meg Heap
Superior Court of Chatham County
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6.
Pursuant to
O e G A
§ 15-18-5(a), a District Attorney is disqualified from a case when
he or she has an interest in the outcome
of the case or a relationship with either the victim or the
accused.
DEFENDANT HEAP'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
ACCUSED SHERIFF IN SPCV1S-0441-J3
7.
On May 4, 2015, Defendant Heap and Sheriff Al St. Lawrence sued WSAV, Inc. in the
Superior Court of Chatham County. Said suit, SPCVI5-0441-J3, seeks a declaratory judgment
that neither Defendant Heap nor Sheriff St. Lawrence be required to release information to
WSAV, Inc. under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A § 50-18-70 et seq.
8.
WSAV, Inc. did not request any records from Defendant Heap. However, Defendant
Heap voluntarily inserted herself into the controversy between WSA V and Sheriff St. Lawrence.
9.
Defendant Heap and Sheriff St. Lawrence are co-plaintiffs in SPCV 15-0441-J3 and even
share the same attorney in said suit.
10.
The Plaintiffs in this action have intervened in SPCV 15-0441-J3 and are Defendants in
said case.
Page 3 of 12
Ajibade, et al. v. Meg Heap
Superior Court of Chatham County
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11.
The Ajibade family has claims against Defendant Heap and Sheriff St. Lawrence which
have been asserted in SPCVI5-0441-J3.
12.
Thus, Defendant Heap is embroiled in contested litigation against the Ajibade family , the
surviving family of the victim in the criminal case.
13.
Sheriff St. Lawrence, is a potential defendant in the criminal case, and his actions and/or
inactions should be under investigation by Defendant Heap.
a.
t has been widely reported that
195
inmates were tased in the Chatham County Jail in
2014, a rate far higher than were tased, for example, by the Savannah-Chatham
Metropolitan Police Department or were tased at the at the Richmond County Jail.
Failure to institute proper policies for the use of tasers should subject the Sheriff to
criminal charges.
b. Video has been released showing several of the CCSO officers who participated in
the killing of Mathew Ajibade engaging in violence and excessive force against other
inmates both before and after Mathew Ajibade's death. Creating a culture of violence
and sadism should subject the Sheriff to criminal charges.
c. Instituting a policy of allowing restrained inmates to be tased should subject the
Sheriff to criminal charges.
d. t has been reported that the Watch Commander' s Log Book was altered
approximately fifteen to twenty-one hours after Mathew Ajibade was killed .
f
the
Page 4 of 12
Ajibade, et al. v. Meg Heap
Superior Court of Chatham County
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Sheriff allowed or encouraged the alterations of that log book to conceal the manner
in which Mathew Ajibade died, then the Sheriff should be subjected to criminal
charges.
14.
Both Defendant Heap and Sheriff St. Lawrence are seeking a court order debarring the
Ajibade family and the public from records which would reveal the circumstances of Mathew
Ajibade's death.
15.
By voluntarily inserting herself into SPCV15-0441-J3 on the side
of
a potential criminal
defendant and sharing a lawyer with that defendant, Defendant Heap has placed herself in
opposition to the victim's family.
16.
This alliance with a potential criminal defendant in opposition to the victim's family has
placed Defendant Heap in an impermissibly conflicted position, and she must be disqualified
from any further action in
investigating or presenting
criminal
charges
based
upon
the
actions which
caused
the
death of athew
Ajibade.
DEFENDANT HEAP'S POLITICAL ALLIANCE
WITH THE ACCUSED SHERIFF
17.
Sheriff St. Lawrence contributed to the election campaign
of
Defendant Heap twice in
2012.
Page 5 of
12
Ajibade, et al.
v.
Meg Heap
Superior Court of Chatham County
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18.
Defendant Heap and Sheriff St. Lawrence both employed David Simons as their political
consultant and campaigned in concert with one another in 2012.
DEFENDANT HEAP S REFUSAL TO INVESTIGATE
OR
PROSECUTE
H R
POLITICAL ALLIES AND/OR SUPPORTERS
19.
Since becoming District Attorney, Defendant Heap has failed or refused to investigate or
prosecute individuals or entities that are also represented by her political consultant, David
Simons. Further, Defendant Heap has failed or refused to investigate or prosecute individuals or
entities that contributed to her election 2012 campaign.
20.
Defendant Heap received a campaign contribution from Walter Murphy of the company
lE Dunn Construction d/b/a Rives Worrell. David Simons was the lobbyist for said company at
all times relevant to this litigation.
21.
Defendant Heap has failed to investigate or prosecute one or more employees of lE
Dunn Construction d/b/a Rives Worrell when false · statements were made on sworn bid
documents to secure a
$21
million contract for the replacement of Hesse Elementary School.
22.
Defendant Heap received a campaign contribution from Jim Turner
of
the J.T. Turner
company.
Page 6 of
12
Ajibade, et aI. v. Meg Heap
Superior Court of Chatham County
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23.
Defendant Heap has failed
to
investigate or prosecute one or more employees of J.T.
Turner when, upon infonnation and belief, false statements were made to property owners that
subcontractors had been paid, when in fact said subcontractors had not been paid.
24.
At all times relevant
to
this litigation, David Simons served as the lobbyist for both J.E.
UlUl
Construction d/b/a Rives Worrell and several other corporations. David Simons was paid
by these corporations.
25.
Additionally, David Simons served as a campaIgn consultant for
Var OUS
political
candidates, including, but not limited to, Defendant Heap and Sher iff St. Lawrence. The
political candidates paid David Simons.
26.
Although drawing a salary from the campaigns of Defendant Heap and Sheriff St.
Lawrence and other political candidates, David Simons would also donate money back to all of
the campaign committees from which he was being paid. Rather than donating back a portion of
his salary, David Simons was serving as a straw donor for the corporations for which he lobbied.
27.
Failing to register as a lobbyist violates O.C.G.A. § 21-5-70 et seq Masking campaign
contributions violates O.C.G.A. § 21-5-30
et seq
Notwithstanding these violations
of
law by
David Simons, and the personal knowledge
of
Defendant Heap that these laws were being
violated, Defendant Heap has failed to investigate or prosecute David Simons.
Page 7
of
12
Ajibade, et at. v. Meg Heap
Superior Court of Chatham County
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28.
Due to Defendant Heap s failure or refusal to prosecute her campaign contributors, David
Simons, and/or clients of David Simons, the Plaintiffs have a real and reasonable fear that
Defendant Heap will not investigate the death
of
Mathew Ajibade fairly and impartially.
29.
Specifically, the Ajibade family
IS
afraid that Defendant Heap has chosen not to
investigate Sheriff St. Lawrence.
30.
Defendant Heap performed no investigation into this case for approximately five months
after Mathew Ajibade's death. Rather, Defendant Heap ignored her responsibility to review and
investigate the criminal death of an inmate in her jurisdiction, and instead deferred her
responsibilities to other law enforcement agencies, opting to sidestep an investigation which
would have led to the doorstep
of
Sheriff St Lawrence, and, eventually, to her own failures
regarding her obligations to inspect the Chatham County Jail.
31.
Since receiving an investigative report from the GBI, Defendant Heap and Sheriff St.
Lawrence have openly coordinated with each other in an attempt to shift one hundred percent
of
the blame for
Mathew s
death onto lower ranking officers and to conceal information from the
Ajibade family and public records from the public.
Page 8
of
12
Ajibade, et al.
v.
Meg Heap
Superior Court
of
Chatham County
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32.
For the foregoing reasons Defendant Heap must be disqualified from any further action
in investigating or
presenting
criminal charges based
upon
the
actions
which caused the
death of Mathew
Ajibade.
DEFENDANT HEAP S INTEREST IN THE OUTCOME OF THE CASE
33.
The Chatham County Grand Jury has a duty under O.e.G.A. § 15-12-71(b)(1) to conduct
an annual inspection of
the Chatham County Jail.
34.
Defendant Heap and her staff supervise the Grand Jury and coordinate the Grand
Jury s
operations.
35.
Notwithstanding O.C.G.A. § 15-12-71(b)(1), Defendant Heap, since being sworn in as
District Attorney in 2013, has failed to instruct the Grand Jury to inspect the Chatham County
Jail.
36.
Rather, Defendant Heap and her staff inform the Grand Jurors that there is an "optional
tour" of the j ail, which they may attend at their discretion.
37.
Defendant Heap and her
staff
coordinate the date
of
the "tour," provide transportation to
and from the jail, one or more staff members of the
DA s
office attend the "tour."
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Ajibade, et al. v. Meg Heap
Superior Court
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Chatham County
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38.
Further, no report of the Chatham County Grand Jury reflecting
an
inspection
ofthe Jail s
operations has been filed with the Chatham County Superior Court in more than one year prior to
Mathew Ajibade's death.
39.
The Ajibade family will be filing a civil suit against any and all parties responsible for
Mathew s death. Due to her failure to ensure inspections of the
jail
as required by law, there is a
significant probability that Defendant Heap will be named as a defendant in that action by the
Ajibade family.
40 .
A District Attorney may not participate in the prosecution of a case where the District
Attorney has a personal interest in the outcome of the case. See McLaughlin v. Payne, 761 SE
2d 289 (2014). The conflict of the individual District Attorney attaches to the entire office of the
District Attorney, Id.
41
The fact that Defendant Heap will likely be named as a defendant in the Ajidabe civil suit
gives her an interest in the outcome of the criminal case arising from the same transaction or
occurrence, to wit: the death of Mathew Ajibade.
COUNT
II
M ND MUS G INST DEFEND NT HE P
42.
Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege paragraphs 1-41 as though fully set forth herein.
Page 10 of
12
Ajibade, et at. v. Meg Heap
Superior Court
of
Chatham County
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43.
O.C.G.A.§IS-18-S(a)providesasfollows:
(a) When a district attorney's office is disqualified from interest or relationship to
engage in aprosecution,thedistrictattorneyshallnotifytheAttorneyGeneralof
thedisqualification.Uponreceiptof suchnotification,theAttorneyGeneralshall:
(1) Request the services of and thereafter appoint a district attorney, a
solicitor-general, or a retired prosecuting attorney as provided in Code
Section
15 18 30;
(2) DesignateanattorneyfromtheDepartmentof Law;or
(3) Appoint a competent attorney to actas district attorney pro tempore in
placeof thedistrictattorney.
44.
Forthereasonsstatedabove,DefendantHeapmustbeorderedbythisCourttonotifythe
GeorgiaAttorneyGeneralthatsheisdisqualifiedfrom furtherparticipation in investigating or
presenting criminal
charges
based upon the actions which caused the death
of Mathew
Ajibade.
WHEREFORE
Plaintiffsrequesttheybeaffordedthefollowingrelief:
(a) ThatthisCourtenteranOrderrequiringthe immediatedisqualificationof theOffice
of
the District Attorney for the Eastern Judicial Circuit from further participation in
investigating or presenting criminal charges based upon the actions which caused
thedeath of Mathew Ajibade
(b) ThatthisCourtenteran OrderdirectingDefendantHeaptonotify theGeorgiaAttorney
Generalof herdisqualificationfromfurtherparticipationin investigating
or
presenting
criminal
charges
based upon the actions which caused the death of Mathew
Ajibade;
Page 1Jof
12
Ajibade,etal.
v.
MegHeap
SuperiorCourtof ChathamCounty
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(c) Any and all other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this 9
th
day o June, 2015.
{ {
Georgia Bar No. 126363
ttorney for Plaintif f
THE CLAIBORNE FIRM, P.C.
410 East Bay Street
Savannah, Georgia 3 1401
T: (912) 236-9559
F: (912) 236-1884
Page 12 o
12
Ajibade, et al.
v.
Meg Heap
Superior Court o Chatham County
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF C H t O Q ~ l \ l ~ Q U T Y
STATE OF GEOR&A:
I'. Ur, IL -.
701 W 9 1 : 07
0 5 ? J ~
-J3
ADENIKE HANNAH AJIBADE,
SOLOMON OLUDAMISI AJIBADE, and
)
CHRISTOPHER OLADAPO,
Plaintiffs,
v.
MEG HEAP IN HER CAPACITY AS
EASTERN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
DISTRICT ATTORNEY;
Defendant.
CERTIFICATION
UN ER RULE 3.2
Pursuant to Rules 3.2 and 3.4 o the Uniform Superior Court Rules and Local Rules o
the Eastern Judicial Circuit o Georgia, I hereby certify that there has been a case filed in the
Superior Court o the Eastern Judicial Circuit o Georgia, l
St. Lawrence. Sheriffof Chatham
County; Meg Heap. Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney
v.
WSA
V
Inc . Civil Action
Number: CV15-0441-J3
involving substantially the same parties or substantially the same
subject matter or substantially the same factual issues which would require the pleading to be
specifically assigned to the judge whom the original action was or is assigned.
Respectfully submitted, this 9
th
day o June, 2015.
_ _ _
WILLIAM
R
CLAIBORNE
Georgia Bar Number: 126363
ttorney
or
Plaintiffs
410 East Bay Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
912) 236-9559 Telephone
912) 236-1884 Facsimile
wi
ENTERE JPK
JU 9
2 15
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF CHATHAM COUNTY
ST ATE OF GEORGIA
ADENIKE HANNAH AJIBADE,
SOLOMON OLUDAMISI AJIBADE, and
CHRISTOPHER OLADAPO,
Plaintiffs,
v
MEG HEAP IN HER CAPACITY AS
EASTERN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
DISTRICT ATTORNEY;
Defendant.
)
Civil Action No.: CVlS-
OS?; )
-J3
)
)
SUMMONS
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT:
MEG HEAP
IN
HER
CAPACITY AS EASTERN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DISTRICT A
ITORNEY
133
MONTGOMERY
STREET, 6
TH
FLOOR
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31401
You are hereby summoned and required to file with the Clerk
of
said court and serve upon the
Plaintiffs
attorney, whose name and address
is:
THE CLAIBORNE
FIRM,
P.e.
410 EAST BAY STREET
SAVANNAH GEORGA 31401
an answer to the complaint which
is
herewith served upon you, within 30 days after service
of
summons
upon you, exclusive
of
the day
of
service. If you fail to do so,
judgment
by default will be taken against
you for the relie f demanded in the complaint.
This 9
th
day of
June,
2015.
Clerk
of
Superior Court
CHATHAM
COUNTY
TERE
JPK
UN
- 9
2 15
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF CHATHAM COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
ADENIKE HANNAH AJIBADE,
SOLOMON OLUDAMISI AJIBADE, and
CHRISTOPHER OLADAPO,
Plaintiffs,
v.
MEG HEAP IN
HER
CAPACITY AS
EASTERN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
DISTRICT ATTORNEY;
Defendant.
)
Civil Action No.:
CVlS
5 ? J ~
-J3
)
)
)
SUMMONS
TO THE
ABOVE
NAMED
DEFENDANT:
MEG HEAP
IN HER
CAPACITY
AS
EASTERN
JUDICIAL
CIRCUIT
DISTRICT
ATTORNEY
133
MONTGOMERY
STREET, 6
T
FLOOR
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31401
Filed in the
Clerk's
Office this 9
t
day
of
June, 2015.
C
William R. Claiborne
PLAINTIFFS ATTORNEY
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--------------------
---- --------------------
C1 •: 165:::::::21
FILED
OR RE ORD
IN CHATHAM SUPERIOR C O ~ T 0 9 / 2 0 1 5 0::: : 2 2 ~ r J I
PAID: 21 00
TERM
e . 1. t 1 < o : : : . : : : . ~ ~ / C1 txl::
uperiot
Court
of Ch
at
ham
County
Chatham u n t y Georgia
A
d l t<t flnnath
Aj,
IJadt,
Ltr()0/
VS.
ORIGINAL
Filed in the Clerk s Office this ft
day
of
f l l
_____
_
tJ(J 5
PLAINTIFF S ATIORNEY
ENTERE
JPK
JUN 2 15
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V
-----' . ,; ,-
=- .='-7=-----'
2015
Indictment No.
15CHM01205/X1506021, X1506022, X1506023
n the Superior Court of Chatham County, State of Georgia
JUNE TERM 2015
Defendant, on being
in
open court, pleads _________________________
Defendant
Attorney for Defendant
Defendant, on being in open court, PLEADS GUILTY and waives the right
to
trial by jury; the
presumption of innocence; the right
to
confront witnesses against oneself; the right
to
subpoena witnesses; the right to testify and
to
offer other evidence; the right
to
assistance of counsel during trial; the right not to incriminate oneself; and understands that by pleading
not guilty or remaining silent and not entering a plea, one obtains a jury trial.
Defendant
Attorney for Defendant
We, the Jury, find the defendant THUI\IIBPRINT(S) OF DEFENDANT
(left) (right)
FOREPERSON DATE
THE STATE OF GEORGIA
VERSUS
JASON PAUL KENNY,
MAXINE EVANS
and
GREGORY BROWN
(SPECIAL PRESENTMENT)
WITNESS(ES):
Agt. Cyrus Purdiman, GBI (Statesboro)
Inv. Nicole Meyers, CCSO IA
Dr. Stacey Desamours, GBI Crime Lab (Atlanta)
Meg Heap
District Attorney
Eastern Judicial Circuit
o
Georgia
CHRISTY BARKER
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY
OFFENSE(S): FELONY MURDER, INVOLUNTARY
MANSLAUGHTER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT,
CRUELTY TO INMATE, INVOLUNTARY
MANSLAUGHTER, PUBLIC RECORD FRAUD,
INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, PUBLIC RECORD
FRAUD AND MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT
) \
6 = t . \ ~ ~ I ' h ~ d - e . ~ - b 11
"I
i iJ
e ov\ 0.(\
o 1-h-e-.r
BILL :J. >
z ; ~ ~ L 2015
- - _> ddt:1M <;
FOR PERS N
Filed
in
office this
2 i flh
day of
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STATE OF GEORGIA, COUNTY OF CHATHAM
BILL OF INDICTMENT
IN
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF SAID COUNTY,
SPECIAL PRESENTMENT)
THE GRAND JURORS selected, chosen and sworn for the County
of
Chatham to wit:
1. Marilyn Solana, Foreperson
2. Catherine Akins
15. Rhonda Johnson
3. Jennie Battle
16. Bryan Jones
4.
Gloria Bryant
,,:\7. DB O id L o l H ~
5.
Loretta Calvert
18. Dale Lepisto
6. Paulette Christie
19. Kenny Siu Quinones
7. Amelia Croft
20. Jamecia Ready
8. Linda Cook
~ 1 .
CotA8fiA9 RobinsoA
9. Tonja Davis
22. Peggy Todd
10.
Roseanne Dickerson
23. Victoria Yates
.
11.
Brian Hagan
24.
12. Tammy Harris
25.
13. Mike Holland 26.
14.
Kristy Horbachefsky
COUNT 1: FELONY MURDER, O.C.G.A. 16-5-1 (c) t-.JO
in the name
of
and on behalf
of
the citizens of the State
of
Georgia, charge and accuse JASON PAUL
KENNY, with the offense
of
FELONY MURDER, for that the said JASON PAUL KENNY,
in
the
County of Chatham and State of Georgia,
on
or about the 1st day
of
January, 2015, while
in
the
commission of the offense of Cruelty to An Inmate, a felony, caused the death
of
Matthew Ajibade, a
human being, by using excessive force, contrary to the laws
of
the State
of
Georgia, the good order,
peace and dignity thereof.
c
WI >
COUNT
2:
INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, O.C.G.A. 16-5-3(a) True.
And the jurors aforesaid, in the name of and on behalf
of
the citizens
of
the State of Georgia, further
charge and accuse JASON PAUL KENNY, with the offense of INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER,
for that the said JASON PAUL KENNY, in the County of Chatham and State of Georgia, on or about
the 1st day of January, 2015, while in the commission
of
reckless conduct, an unlawful act, caused
the death of Matthew Ajibade, a human being, without any intention to do so, by tasing him while he
was restrained, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity
thereof. .
\..ifl
K
VA..
COUNT
3:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, O.C .G.A. 16-5-21
T
( U
e....,....
And the jurors aforesaid,
in
the name
of
and on behalf
of
the citizens
of
the State
of
Georgia, further
charge and accuse JASON PAUL KENNY, with the offense of AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, for that the
said JASON PAUL KENNY,
in
the County
of
Chatham and State of Georgia, on or about the 1st day
of
January, 2015, made an assault upon the person
of
Matthew Ajibade with a taser, an object and
device which when used offensively against a person
is
likely to result in serious bodily injury by drive
stunning him while he was restrained, contrary to the laws of the State
of
Georgia, the good order,
peace and dignity thereof.
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COUNT 4: CRUELTY TO INMATE, O.C.G.A. 42-4-5 q r lle
And the jurors aforesaid, in the name of and on behalf of the citizens of the State of Georgia, further
charge and accuse JASON PAUL KENNY, with the offense of CRUELTY TO INMATE , for that the
said JASON PAUL KENNY, in the County of Chatham and State of Georgia,
on
or about the 1st day
of January, 2015, being a jailer at the Chatham County Detention Center, unlawfully cause willful
inhumanity to Matthew Ajibade, an inmate under the accused s care and custody by using excessive
force, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
< 1JA <f
up
COUNT
5:
INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, O.C.G.A. 16-5-3(a) T f l.l €,
And the jurors aforesaid, in the name of and
on
behalf of the citizens of the State of Georgia, further
charge and accuse MAXINE EVANS, with the offense of INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, for that
the said MAXINE EVANS, in the County of Chatham and State of Georgia, between the 1st day of
January, 2015, and the 2nd day of January, 2015, the exact date of the offense being unknown to the
Grand Jury, while in the commission of reckless conduct, an unlawful act, caused the death of
Matthew Ajibade, a human being, without any intention to do so by failing to monitor him while he
was in restraints, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia , the good order, peace and dignity
thereof.
COUNT 6: PUBLIC RECORD FRAUD, O.C.G.A. 45-11-1 T
f '<-t e
And the jurors aforesaid, in the name of and
on
behalf of the citizens of the State of Georgia, further
charge and accuse MAXINE EVANS, with
the
offense of PUBLIC RECORD FRAUD, for that the said
MAXINE EVANS, in the County of Chatham and State of Georgia,
on
or about the 2nd day of
January, 2015, unlawfully falsified a Corrections Bureau Restraint Chair Log a document belonging
to the Chatham County Sheriff s Office, a public office within the State of Georgia, in that she entered
checks that did not occur, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace
and
dignity thereof.
COUNT 7: INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, O.C.G.A. 16-5-3(a)
And the jurors aforesaid, in the name of and on behalf of the citizens of the State of Georgia, further
charge and accuse GREGORY BROWN, with the offense of INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, for
that the said GREGORY BROWN, in the County of Chatham
and
State of Georgia, between the 1st
day of January, 2015, and the 2nd day of January, 2015 , the exact date of the offense being unknown
to the Grand Jury, while in the commission of reckless conduct, an unlawful act, caused the death of
Matthew Ajibade, a human being, without any intention to do
so
by failing
to
monitor him while he
was in restraints, contrary to the laws of the State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity
thereof.
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$-1
COUNT 8: PUBLIC RECORD FRAUD, O.C.G.A. 45-11-1 True.. v.tl
And the jurors aforesaid,
in
the name of
and on
behalf of the citizens of the State of Georgia, further
charge and accuse GREGORY BROWN, with the offense of PUBLIC RECORD FRAUD, for that
the
said GREGORY BROWN,
in
the County of Chatham and State of Georgia, on or about the
2nd
day of
January, 2015, unlawfully falsified a Corrections Bureau Restraint Chair Log, a document belonging
to the
Chatham County Sheriff's Office, a public office within the State of Georgia ,
in
that he signed
the
log
indicating that checks occurred that did not occur, contrary
to
the laws of the State of Georgia,
the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
COUNT 9: MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT, O.C.G.
A.
16-10-20
And the jurors aforesaid,
in
the name of and on behalf of the citizens of the State of Georgia, further
charge and accuse GREGORY BROWN, with the offense
of
MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT, for
that the said GREGORY BROWN,
in
the County of Chatham
and
State of Georgia,
on
or about the
2nd
day of January, 2015, knowingly and willfully made a false statement
to
Agent Cyrus Purdiman of
the Georgia Bureau of Investigation
in
a death investigation, a matter within the jurisdiction of the
Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a department of state government, to wit: stating that he checked
Matthew Ajibade while
he
was
in
restraints, which checks did not occur, contrary
to
the laws
of the
State of Georgia, the good order, peace and dignity thereof.
~ € (on)
Vv\v..Y Jo.'( - ~ ( )
4 'vcf U . ~ i o . Y 1 W \ ~ v \ ' ~ ( a ~ t d e l / - ye
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-j
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- -;-.rt.A...e...
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-e.
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---tv l.\ -e..
t 1 1 t ~ 1 l ~
MEG HEAP
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
EASTERN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
OF GEORGIA
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IN
HE
supERroR
33ts1%?6f3ff"AM
ouNry
:,l
ii'.i.,i:tir,)i
STATE
OF GEORGIA
V .
JASON
KENNY
MAXINE EVANS
GREGORY
ROWN
DrpswoeNr.
I r . io lc rntervr
Nos.
CR15-1
cR15-1396
<F
, ' r
CR15-1397'Js
ST AT E 'S
MOTION
FOR
IMPOSIT ION
OF A
GAG
ORDER
Comes
ow
he
State
f
Georgia,
y and
hrough
ts representative,
ssistant
istrict
Attorney
Christine
arker,
nd
moves
his
Court
o
order heparties
ndcounsel
or and
all
agents
f
allparties,
--
including
ttorneysor the
yictinlq
fumjly- n_d,heD_efendanrso refrain rom making nys&tenrents
regarding,
or releasing
nformation
concerning,
he
above-referenced
ase
hat they
know
or reasonably
should
know
will have
a
substantial
ikelihood
of n.raterially
rejudicing
n adjudicative
roceeding
n this
matter
o a ny media
outlet,
ncluding
but not limited
o radio,
elevision,
nd
newspaper
eporters,
nd
further
to
refrain from
making
any
written,
oral,
or electronic
statement
outside
of court
that any
person
contemplated
by said
order
would
reasonably
elieve
o
be disseminated
y
means
of public
communication,
ncluding,
without
limitation,
Facebook,
Twitter,
or any
other
form
of social
media.
n
support of this motion, the Stateshows he following:
1.
Attorney
for
the
victim's
family
have
iled
a Petition
for
Mandamus
and
Disqualification,
Civil
Action
No.
SPCVl50oO532
"Petition"
Attached
as
exhibit
{1),
seeking
o
disqualify
.
Meg Heap
[the
District
Attomey]
and
the
office
of the EasternJudicial
Circuit
Districr
Attorney
from
any
further
action
n investigating
or presenting
criminal
charges
based
upon the
actions
which
caused
the
deathof
Mathew
Ajibade"
and further
asking
hat
a District
Attorney pro
temporebe
ppointed
"in
all
matters
elated
o the
death
of Mathew
Ajibade.
(Pet.
). Plaintiffs
conrend
nter
aliathat
DefendantHeap is barredunder Georgia aw from
investigating
or presenting
criminal
charges
because
f her
relationship
with
Chatham
County
Sheriff
Al
St. Lawrence
and her
,,personal
interest"
in the
outcome
of the
case. Id.
at
ifif
16,29,40).
The
claims
of
the
victim's
family
attorneys
are
meritless,
but regardless
f the
merits
of
the claims,
a gag
order
s
warranted
under
Georgia
aw
with
respect
o
this
matter
for
the reasons
ddressed
elow.
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Z.
Counsel
or the victim's
family in
this
action have
made extrajudicial
comments
o
variousmedia
outlets
egarding
potential evidentiary
ssues hat
may be addressed
t the
hearings
or trial
in this
action,
aswell
as n the
Petition and
n
a civil suit
in
this Court,
St.Lawrence
.
WSAV' Inc., Civil
Action
No. SPCV15OO447
hereinafter
he
"WSAV
Case").
Specifically,
he
State hows
he
following:
a. Most
recently,onJune
24,201.5,
ictim's
family
attorneys,
William Claiborne
ndMark
O'Mara,
have
publicly
accused
he State
of
"white
washing"
he case
n statements
o
BuzzFeed
nd he
Boston
Herald.
attached sexhibits
A2 &
A3). Thesc
statements,
includine
additional peculation
bout
he actual
evidence,
ave
been
epeated
n other
nerrr nrrfletq eftrched rs exhihits A4-A1Z-
b .
(-
Victim's
family attorney,
Williarn
Claiborne,
has posted
comments
about
evidentiary
matters,
ncluding the
basis
or the
arrest
of Mathew
Ajibade
on
liis Facebook
ccount
(attachedas
Exhibit A);
Victim's
family attorney)
William
Claiborne,
has
postedcomments
o his Facebook
account
egarding
GrandJury
responsibilities
hat
according
o the
Petition would
form
the
basisof
a awsuit
against
he
State
(attachedas Exhibit
B);
Victim's family attorney,William Claiborne,hasmadecomments o variousmediaoutlets
and hasbeen
quoted in articles
egarding
potential evidence,
how many
peopleshould
be
criminally
charged,
and the
contents
of a
death certificate,
n stories
dating
as ar back
as
May
8, 2015,
andin media
outlets
as ar-reaching
as he
U.K.'s
Daily
(attached s
Exhibits C-N);
Victim's family
attorney,
Mark
O'Mara,
has
made comments
on Twitter
and on
his blog
regarding
he criminal
investigation
and
policy changes
made
by the Sheriff's
department,
leading o speculation or the basisof thesechanges attachedasExhibit O);
Victim's
family
attorney, Mark
O'Mara,
has made comments
o various
media outlets
and
hasbeen
quoted
n
articles
egarding
potential evidence,
ncluding
claims egarding
"beating"
and
purported cover
up,
in stories
dating
as ar
back
asJanuary
612015, nd
n
media
outlets
ncluding CNN
(attachedas
Exhibits
P-NN);
d .
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g. The State
has
eceivednumerous
equests
or response
o
claims
made
by victim's
family
arrorneys
rom
media outlets
(attachedascollective
Exhibit
OO),
and finally;
h. Such
stories
havebeenbroadcast
n
air, asshown
n Exhibit
PP .
It is clear rom the
above acts
and
associated
xhibits
hat
attorneys
William Claiborne
and
Mark
O'Mara
have
made
extensive
omments
directly
addressing
otential rial
ssues
n each
of these
stories.
3. Counsel
or the victim's
farnilyhave
epresented
he
amily of Mathew
Ajibade
during he
criminal
investigation
elated o the
death of
Mathew
Ajibade
and
have
urther
been
nvolved
n the
investigation
and litigation
of various
matters
now
pending
before he
Court,
including
he
Petition
and he
WSAV
Case.
Throughout
he
course
of these
matters
and
as
demonstrated
bove,
ounsel
- for the-yictlrr/s-family-havcextensively-engagedin-extrajudi,cial com.mentarysld-5olieited nedia----- -
coverage
f the same.
Notably,
a copy
of the
Petition
was
received
by
Dave
Kartunen
of WSAV
before
hc
Statewas
even
served,as
shown
n Exhibit
MM.
Moreover)
as evidenced
y
F,xhibit
NN,
Mr. Claiborne
s
directly soliciting
media
coverage.
4. These
ndictments
elate
o the oss
of a
human
ife; n such
cases,
t
is of
paramount
mportance
o
all parties
including
the
decedent's
amily,
the
prosecuting
authorities,
any persons
accused
f
wrongdoing,
and the
public at
large
-
that the
fairness
of the
judicial
process
be
preserved.
5. The saturationof the media by the attorneys or the victim in this casemay prompt the Defendants
and their
agents
o feel
that they
need o
respond
n
kind. Further,
two
of
the Defendants
nd heir'
attorneys
were
present
or the
presentation
of
evidence
o the
GrandJury,
and hus
havemore
complete
nformation
than the
public at large.
While this
information
is
privileged
aspart of
the
GrandJury
process, he temptation
to respond
o
any naccuracies
n the
media
coverage
will be
suong.
6.
This case
s
governed
by Atlanta Journal-Consti tution
.
State,266
Ga.
App.
168
2004) and
Rule
3.6
of the State
Bar of Georgia
Rules
of
Professional
Conduct.
Rule 3.6,
as
cited by the
Georgia
Court
of Appeals
n Atlanta Journal-Constitu tion,266
Ga.
App.
at 169,
states hat
[a]
lawyer
who
is
participating or
has
participated n the
investigation
or
litigation
of a
matter
shall
not
make an extrajudicial
statement
hat a
person
would
reasonably
elieve
to
be disseminated
y
meansof
public
communication
f the
awyer
knows or
reasonably
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should
know
that it will
have a substantial
ikelihood of
materially
prejudicing
an
adjudicative
proceeding n the
matter.
Comment
5A to Rule
3.6 states
hat
"
ltlhere
are...
certain ubjects
which
are rore
ikely han
no t
to
have
a material
prejudicial effect
on a
proceeding,
particularly
when
they
refer to a
civil matter
triable
o a
ury,
a crimirral
matter,
or any other
proceeding hat
could
result
n
incarceration.
Such subjects
isted
nclude
"
the character,
credibility,
reputation
or
criminal
record of
a
party,
suspect
n a criminal
nvestigation r
witness,
r the
dentifyof
a witness
or the
expectedestimony
of a
party or witness
" "
the
performanceor
results of
any examinations
r tes t, or
the identity
or
natureofphysicai
evidence xpected
o be
presentedl"
and
"any
opinion
as o the
guilt or
innocence
f
a defendant
r suspect
n a criminalcase
r proceeding
liat
could
esult
n an
incarceration."Id.;
Sea
lsoAtlantaJournal-Constitution,266Ga.
pp.
at 769-77O
quoting
7
Directory
Rule
7-107
StateBar of Ga.)
(repealed 001)),which
preceded nd
argely
mirrors he
subjects
isted
n Cornment
5A.).
As
shown by
the attached
exhibits,
counsel
or the
victim's
family have
madestatements
eiated
o
this
criminal
action, he
Petition, and
the
WSAV Case
commenting
nter
alia on
a.
The character
and
rcputation of
those
potentiallyaccused;
b.
The
performance
and results of
examinations,
uch
as hc autopsy;
c.
The credibility
of potentialwitnesses;
nd
d. The
guilt/innocence
f those
potentially
ccused,he
evidence,
nd he
merits
of the
case.
These comments
are violative of
the
professional nd
ethical
ules of the
StateBar
of Georgia
et
out above
and demonstrate
he desireof
the Plaintiffs
o manipulate
nediacoverage
o
gain
favorable
attention. See,
.g.,United
States .
Brown,218
F 3d
415
5th
Cir.
2000).
As such,
hey
are
likely
to affect
he
ability of all
parties o have
hese
cases djudicated
by an
mpartial ribunal.
Rockdale itizen
Publishingu.
State,266
Ga.92
(1995).
Furthermore, Rule 3.4(h) of the GeorgiaRules of Professional onductprohibits a awyer rom
"presentfing],
participating n
presentfing]
or threatenfing]
o
presentcriminal
charges
olely
o
obtain
an advantage
n a civil
matter.
The
Petition constitutes
participation
n presenting
riminal
charges
s contemplated
by Rule 3.a(h)
n that:
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a.
The
petition
repeatedly
dentifies
sheriff
A1
st'
Lawrence
as
a
"potential
defendant"
o
criminal
charges
or
,,potential
criminal
defendant"
and
states
hat
"his
actions
and/or
inactions
hould
be
under
nvestigation
y
Defendant
Heap."
(Pls''
Pet'
[13;See
d'
atIlfl
15,16,30);
nd
b.
The
petition
seeks
o
disqualify
he
District
Attorney
and
her
office
"from
any
urther
action
n
investigating
or
presenting
criminal
charges
ased
upon
the
actions
which
caused
the
death
of
Mathew
Aiibade'"
(Id'
at7)'
The
identification
f
persons
who
are
"potential
criminal]
defendants"
and
"should
be
under
fcrirninal]
nvestigation',,
aSwell
as
lre
attempt
to
disqualify
a district
attorney
rom
presenting
criminal
charges
s
precisely
he
type
of
participation
n
presenting
criminal
charges
ontemplated
--jy Rule 3.a(h). Such pslficjpatio,r i,slmper 0issible-iulier9#
herg,
the
Petition
has
bcen
brought
with
the
obvious
sole
ntent
of
obtaining
an
advantage
n
civil
matters
n
which
counsel
or
the
victim,s
family
are
also
nvolved.
lhe
petition
repeatedly
cferences
he
fact
that
"
ft]he
Ajibade
family
has
claims
against
Defendant
Heap...
which
have
be
en
asserted
n
[the
WSAV
Case]
and
thattheAjibadefamilywil lbef i l ingacivi lsuitagainst . .anyandallpart iesresponsibleforMathew
[Ayibade,s]
death,,
which
will
,.likely"
name
Defendant
Heap
as
a
defendant'
Petition
g[qT
1,
12,
39,4I).In
f-act,
n
entire
section
of
the
Petition
s
devoted
o
discussion
f the
WSAV
Case
n
whichPlaint i f fsherehaveintervenedasdefendants'(Pls ' ' ,Pet '1T1T7-1'6) ' I t isclearbasedonthe
Petition
that
counsel
or
victim's
family's
purpose
s
to
obtain,
hrough
the
Petition
tself
and
he
media
attention
garnered
herefrom,
an
advantage
n
the
existing
civil
case
nvolving
he
state
and
anypotendalfuturecivi lact ionbyt lrevict im'sfamilyagainst theState.
g .F ina l ly , theremedysoug l r tbySta tehere in isnar rowly ta i lo red in tha t
a.
It
is
not
permanent,
but
rather
s limited
to
the
time
span
during
which
the
current
criminal
action
s
pending
before
he
Court;
b.
It
does
not
involve
prior
restraint
anddoesnot in anyway imit the abilityof the media o
lawful lygatherandreport tothepublicnewsrelatedtothismatter land
c.
It
does
not
purport
to
preclude
any
person
connected
with
this
matter
from
identifying
information
such
as
court
dates,
ypes
of
hearings,
nd
other
factual
nformation
without
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comment
or
opinion
with
respect
o the
proceedings
hemselves
r
the
evidence
adduced
therein.
WHEREF
ORE,
the
State
respectfully
urges
his
Court
to enter
an
order
restraining
he
parties
and
counsel
or and
all
agents
of the
State,
he
victim's
family,
and
Defendants
o refrain
from
making
any
statenents
about,
or
releasing
nformation
concerning,
hese
cases
hat
they
know
or
reasonably
hould
know
will
have
a subsrantial
ikelihood
of
materially
rejudicing
n
adjudicative
roceeding
o any
media
outlet,
ncludilg,
but
not
limited
to
radio,
elevision,
nd
newspaper
eporters,
nd
urther
o
refrain
rom
making
any
written,
oral,
or
electronic
statement
outside
of
court
that any
person
contemplated
y
said
order
would
easonably
elieve
o
bedisseminated
y
means
f
publiccoTlgunie*tin.
TfirdfuofJune,
2015.
133
Montgomery
St.,
Room
600
Savannah,
A
31401
Tel: 912-652-7308
CHRISTINE
S.
BARKER
Georgia
ar
No.
645851
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IN THE
SUPERIOR COURT
OF CHATHAM COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
ST AT E OF 'GEOR GI A
INorc r :uENrNos .
D E r E N o e N r s .
This
s
to
certify hat have his day
served
he oregoing TATE'S MOTION FOR IMPOSITION
OF A GAG ORDER to the
ollowins
counsel f
record ia US Mail addresseds ollows:
JASON
KENNY
MAXINE EVANS
GREGORY ROWN
WilliamR.Claiborne
The
Claiborne
irrn.P.C.
---- 41Oiasl BavStreel
Savannah.
A 31401
Bobby Phillips
4O28.
Liberty Street
Savannah,
A 31401
Willie T. Yancey
P.O.Box2845
Savannah,GA37402
Gregory Brown
13 Night Heron Way
Port Wentworth, GA
ThirdkyofJune, 2015.
133Montgomery
St,
Room
600
Savannah.GA 31401
Tel: 972-652-7308
CHRISTINES.
BARKER
Georgia ar
No.
645857
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