The Fulton County District Attorney's office told Snyder's family this week it would present the case to a grand jury, and Heatley's attorney cautioned him that an indictment could come as early as Friday, the newspaper said.
``We knew the DA would make a decision,'' attorney Don Samuel said Thursday night. ``It hardly comes as a surprise.''
Prosecutor Al Dixon would say only that ``We'll make an announcement if the case is presented'' to the grand jury, the newspaper said.
Police estimated that Heatley was driving his black Ferrari convertible at 80 mph when it ran into a brick pillar and iron fence outside a condominium in the city's Buckhead area. Snyder was fatally injured, and Heatley broke his jaw and tore two ligaments in his knee. He was unable to return to the Thrashers lineup until Jan. 28.
Authorities say Heatley had consumed some alcohol but was not intoxicated at the time of the wreck. Samuel wants to bring in his own experts to determine the speed and whether there were any defects in the car.
The speed is a major factor in the case. Prosecutors would have to prove that Heatley was driving recklessly in order to treat it as a felony. The most serious charge Heatley would face would be felony vehicular homicide, which can be punished by up to 15 years in prison.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/7/156509