Coweta County

DA: Man's death tragic but not 'criminal matter'

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — Coweta County District Attorney Peter Skandalakis announced Monday that he will not prosecute the case of a man who died after deputies repeatedly used their stun guns on him in the back of an SUV.

“After a thorough and careful review of the evidence in this case – including repeated viewings of the videos provided by the body-warn cameras of the sheriff’s deputies involved – and upon consideration of the applicable law, I have made the following decision,” Skandalakis said. “The death of Mr. Chase Sherman, while tragic in nature, is not a criminal matter and, therefore, will not be prosecuted further under state law.”

Sherman's mother called 911 on Nov. 20 as they traveled on Interstate 85 from the Atlanta airport to their home, in Destin, Florida.

She said her 32-year-old son was "freaking out" and had taken a synthetic drug known as Spice.

Video from Coweta County sheriff's deputies' body cameras shows the deputies struggling with Sherman in the back of an SUV until he's still, and they later realize he's not breathing. Sherman was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

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Skandalakis says his office's investigation showed Sherman's death was the result of many contributing factors.

"In reviewing all the evidence and considering these factors as a whole, it is the determination of this office that Sherman's death was a tragic accident and not the result of anyone acting with the intent to harm him," Skandalakis said.

Skandalakis said his office considered the evidence without fear, favor or affection for any of the parties involved.

"Undoubtedly, Mr. Sherman's death is a tragedy and our hearts go out to his family for their great loss, but none of the parties involved have committed a prosecutable crime," Skandalakis said.

Cox Media Group

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