DA awaits grand jury report in NE Ga. minister's death

By The Associated Press

Posted 1:24PM on Wednesday 2nd December 2009 ( 15 years ago )

TOCCOA - A northeast Georgia prosecutor says he will let a grand jury decide if there will be criminal charges brought against undercover drug officers involved in the killing of a Baptist minister outside a Toccoa convenience store.

Jonathan Paul Ayers of Lavonia dropped off a woman on a Toccoa street on Sept. 1, then drove to a service station.

Police say the woman had purchased drugs in the past, and three drug agents blocked Ayers' car. They say he backed into one agent and another fired at Ayers after he maneuvered his car in a threatening manner.

District Attorney Brian Rickman says he's received a Georgia Bureau of Inverstigation report and expects to have a grand jury decision by the end of the month.

Jonathan Ayers, (l), while on a mission trip to Africa.

Jonathan Ayers entering Toccoa convenience store shortly before he was shot by Stephens County drug agents Sep. 1, 2009. (Security tape image courtesy WNEG-TV, Athens.)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/12/225207