SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — A jury has found three former Georgia sheriff’s deputies not guilty of murder in the case surrounding the death of Eurie Martin, a Black man who raised suspicions when he asked for water while walking through a Georgia town. Martin, aged 58, was shocked multiple times with Tasers after he allegedly refused to answer questions from the deputies. The officers argued that Martin was walking illegally on the road, posing a threat by littering a soda can, and not following their commands.
After a lengthy eight-year endeavor that included two trials, jurors cleared all three officers of murder and aggravated assault charges. However, they could not reach a consensus on involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct charges against two of the deputies, prompting speculation on whether prosecutors would pursue a third trial.
The family of Martin expressed disappointment following the verdicts. Helen Gilbert, Martin’s sister, conveyed her feelings, stating, “After eight long years, I’m just very disappointed.” Meanwhile, Karen Scott, mother of one of the acquitted deputies, expressed relief and conveyed her sympathies to Martin's family.
Martin suffered from stress due to the high temperatures and had pre-existing health conditions including a weakened heart and schizoaffective disorder. The incident, which happened in July 2017, began when he was seen walking through Deepstep, Georgia, where a local homeowner perceived him as suspicious and called the police. Upon the deputies' arrival, a confrontation ensued, leading the officers to use Tasers on Martin at least 15 times. An autopsy later classified his death as a homicide.
Civil rights attorney Francys Johnson continues to represent Martin's family in a federal lawsuit, highlighting that “as a free man in this country, he should have been able to walk home”. The trial proceedings have raised critical discussions regarding police practices and systemic issues related to race and law enforcement in the United States.
After a lengthy eight-year endeavor that included two trials, jurors cleared all three officers of murder and aggravated assault charges. However, they could not reach a consensus on involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct charges against two of the deputies, prompting speculation on whether prosecutors would pursue a third trial.
The family of Martin expressed disappointment following the verdicts. Helen Gilbert, Martin’s sister, conveyed her feelings, stating, “After eight long years, I’m just very disappointed.” Meanwhile, Karen Scott, mother of one of the acquitted deputies, expressed relief and conveyed her sympathies to Martin's family.
Martin suffered from stress due to the high temperatures and had pre-existing health conditions including a weakened heart and schizoaffective disorder. The incident, which happened in July 2017, began when he was seen walking through Deepstep, Georgia, where a local homeowner perceived him as suspicious and called the police. Upon the deputies' arrival, a confrontation ensued, leading the officers to use Tasers on Martin at least 15 times. An autopsy later classified his death as a homicide.
Civil rights attorney Francys Johnson continues to represent Martin's family in a federal lawsuit, highlighting that “as a free man in this country, he should have been able to walk home”. The trial proceedings have raised critical discussions regarding police practices and systemic issues related to race and law enforcement in the United States.
