Georgia Ex-Cops Acquitted of Top Charge in Jailhouse Death

Ajibade was put in restraints after fighting with officers and was later found unresponsive in his cell, officials said. Kenny, who was seen Tasering Ajibade in footage from the encounter, faces one-to-three years in prison after being convicted of cruelty to a prisoner.

A jury in Savannah returned verdicts Friday against former sheriff’s deputies Jason Kenny and Maxine Evans in the January death of Mathew Ajibade. Prosecutors say Maxine Evans left Ajibade alone for 90 minutes when she was supposed to ensure he was monitored every 15 minutes. On four different occasions during Thursday’s deliberation, jurors asked about anything from the definition of involuntary manslaughter as it pertains to Evans, and to the definition of aggravated assault, which is a charge Kenny faced. Brown was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter on Tuesday. Another kicked at the detainee twice – one kick struck Ajibade in the head, the other sent the Taser spinning across the floor.

Three deputies were injured by Ajibade during the jail altercation, including a female sergeant who suffered a concussion and a broken nose, according to authorities. Instead, prosecutors said reckless acts by the two ex-deputies afterward played key roles in Ajibade’s death. An autopsy found no single cause and Dr. Kris Sperry of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Ajibade was “stressed to death”.

“I respect the jury’s verdict”.

“The people they prosecuted, as far as my client, she never did anything to that man”, said Bobby Phillips, Evans’ attorney.

Kenny’s attorney Willie Yancey said he wouldn’t second guess the jury. “We expected nothing, and we got nothing”.

He was, however, found guilty of making a false statement. But the judge acquitted him on that charge Wednesday after an investigator testified he gave incorrect information about Brown’s duties to the grand jury that indicted him. And also public fraud as to documents, false statements and perjury.

“When the family spoke out, we were gagged by the District Attorney”. The situation escalates after Ajibade wrests control of a stun gun being used by a female deputy.