This case is apparently burning up GA social media. Perhaps the silver lining in this tragedy is that white, propertied people have begun to realize that the "Drug War Gone Wild" now affects THEM, also, not just "others", and poor people. In fact, people with means and property are even juicier targets, due to current asset forfeiture laws!
Below the fold is the news that I am aware of since the Jen Hayden diary.
The attorney for David Hooks requested an FBI investigation on Oct. 6th.
Attorney Mitch Shook alleges “abusive policing practices and suspicious events” before and after the death of 59-year-old David Hooks [...]
Shook is calling for a probe of alleged excessive use of force, civil rights violations, conspiracy and fabrication of evidence by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office.
The letter sent to the FBI on Monday also questions a “full assault on the Hooks residence” with a battering ram, assault weapons, black hoods and paramilitary tactics “normally reserved for serving high risk, no-knock warrants.” [...]
Shook also takes issue with the state’s investigation because of a second warrant sought and received by the GBI for “aggravated assault on a police officer” three hours after Hooks was fatally wounded.
Shook claims the affidavit seeking the warrant and documentation of what was found and seized was not filed as required by law.
“We are concerned these actions or inactions on behalf of the GBI are an indication that they were misled by members of the Drug Task Force and (Special Response) team the night they killed David Hooks,” Shooks stated in a release to the media. [...]
Read more here: http://www.macon.com/...
So, perhaps the FBI will investigate the GBI who is investigating the locals. Hooo... They need to. Apparently the only sketchy thing that DIDN'T happen that night was the lights going out...
The attorney released another statement Friday, in which it is alleged that Sheriff Bill Harrell himSELF was present at the raid, from WMAZ News:
The statement also says "A reliable source" close to the Laurens sheriff's office says Sheriff Bill Harrell took part in the raid. [...]
"We know the Sheriff was there and that is a very big deal with getting the FBI involved in this case because obviously a Sheriff can't suspend himself and the usual course of action in these kind of situations is for the head of the law enforcement division to suspend all officers involved in a shooting of this nature" said Shook.
He also says Hooks' friends and family plan a rally in his support Monday, Oct.13, at noon at the Laurens County courthouse.
"Overwhelmingly the response in the community is in favor of David Hooks and has been very critical of the actions of the officers as we believe it should be" said Shook. [...]
The lawyer concludes, "Why can't the elected Sheriff give his constituents some much-needed answers to this tragedy?"
Sheriff Harrell has not returned phone calls from 13WMAZ.
WXGA TV says in its story "Rally to be Held Monday In Support of Man Killed by Deputies":
Shook released this statement from the Hooks family :
Our investigation into the tragic death of David Hooks has uncovered new information. One day after we asked the FBI to get involved in this case, the missing affidavit and return of the second search warrant issued to the GBI was filed with the Laurens County Clerk of Court. We now know our investigator's assessment of how many shots were fired that night is correct. The return of the search warrant indicates seventeen (17) shell casings were found on the premises. One (1) shell casing was found in the carport which indicates that at least one shot was fired prior to entering the doorway of the home. An additional sixteen (16) shell casings were found inside David and Teresa's home. A total of sixteen (16) projectiles were recovered from many different locations inside the home and David's body. Fourteen (14) of these projectiles were found by the GBI and two (2) projectiles were recovered by our investigation, after the GBI had released the home back to Teresa. Based on this information, we now believe David was shot at least three times with at least one shot being to the head. We have also learned from a reliable source close to the Laurens County Sheriff's Department that Sheriff W.A. "Bill" Harrell was on the scene and participated in the illegal raid which resulted in David Hooks' death. Perhaps, this is the reason the Sheriff's Department is taking a stance of complete silence regarding this matter. If Task Force Agent Chris Brewer with the Laurens County Sheriff's Department can post on social media that his critics are "idiots" and that he is not bothered at all by this event, why can't the elected Sheriff give his constituents some much-needed answers to this tragedy? [Emphasis added.]
Read more: http://www.wgxa.tv/...
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I have read that the rally will, in part, seek support for some sort of state legislative curtailment of no-knock raids.
I hope people far and wide will attend this, including media. Some Laurens County supporters will not be there, for fear that they (and their property) might consequently be "next" on the hit list. After all, the gunners/sheriff/"judge" (non-attorney ol' gal stampin' warrants) are, as far as I can gather, still at large... and still "at work".
Further scuttlebutt I've heard, which has not been verified, is that Mrs. Hooks and a son were kept in handcuffs for well over an hour, on the back porch, while her dying husband was carried off by ambulance. In any event, she has been unmercifully traumatized by those goons, and I hope many will show their support at the rally.
On a final note, the Good Ol' Boys With Guns are discussing this on the Georgia Outdoor News forum. I think the (overall) quality of commentary there will dispel at least some stereotypes, which tend to divide people.
Division is dangerous. We are all in the same boat on this issue (and MANY others!), and it's high time We all realized that.
What's done to one may come to all; United We Stand...