DA: AYERS REPORT POSSIBLE IN 4 WEEKS

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is continuing its investigation
into the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Jonathan
Ayers, according to Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brian
Rickman.

Rickman said in a prepared statement last Friday that his office
continues to be regularly updated by the GBI on the progress of the
investigation.

“There is no date certain that can be set as to when the investigation
will be complete because information and evidence must be located and
followed up on as it arises,” Rickman said.

“However, at this point it appears that it is reasonable to believe
that the investigation could be completed in a period of four weeks,”
he said.

“Once again, that period could be shortened or lengthened depending on
what other information and evidence arises that requires further
work,” Rickman said.

Once the investigation has been completed, the results will be turned
over to Rickman’s office by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Rickman, or an outside prosecutor if deemed appropriate, will review
the GBI case file to determine what further action will occur.

At that point a final decision will be made as to presenting this
matter to a Stephens County Grand Jury for review.

“Because the matter could be presented to the Grand Jury for review,
our office is unable to comment publicly on any of the specifics
regarding the evidence that has been gathered to this point,” Rickman
said.

“It is the goal of the District Attorney’s Office to proceed forward
as quickly as is reasonable given the work that should and must be
done,” Rickman said.

“While it is fully understandable that answers are wanted immediately,
we cannot sacrifice the quality and legal soundness of the process
that must be followed. Georgia law and proper legal procedure must be
followed to ensure the integrity of the legal process,” he said.

Ayers, a pastor of a Lavonia-area church, was shot by undercover drug
officers of the Narcotics Criminal Investigation and Suppression
(NCIS) team on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and he died later the same day.

Law enforcement officials have said the NCIS agents were targeting
drugs and prostitution operations in the Currahee-Broad Street section
of Toccoa.