SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
The GBI has completed its investigation of the Griffin Police Department’s (GPD) handling of the 2021 murder of Javarreis Reid.
The GBI Region 2 Field Office confirmed the investigative case file was turned over to Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marie Broder’s office on July 10.
“So, I have reviewed it, but the policy in my office for reviewing GBI investigations is I also have senior staff – senior assistant district attorneys – review it so it’s not just me,” Broder said. “And so, the attorneys that are reviewing it are out of my Fayette County office so that they’ve had no interactions with Investigator King so they would be a neutral party. One of them has reviewed it and two more need to review it before we can have a meeting and determine what, if anything, will be done with it.”
Broder said she anticipates her office’s review of the case will be completed in early August.
“I’m hoping within two weeks. It took me several days to go through everything, so I don’t want to rush them, and we don’t talk about it before for obvious reasons because I want their honest opinions. I was optimistic that we could have it done within a month, so a four-week review was my hope and we’re looking like we can still stick to that,” Broder said, later adding, “It’s just something we’re being very thorough about. We’re doing a thorough review.”
Broder requested the GBI investigation after The GRIP reported King received a written reprimand for covering up the alleged involvement of Damon Beck, his brother, in the Reid murder.
The articles related to this case can be read at the links below. (This article continues under links.)
https://the-grip.net/2023/02/16/griffin-pd-officer-covered-up-murder-by-concealing-his-brothers-alleged-involvement/
https://the-grip.net/2023/02/16/damon-beck-griffin-police-officers-brother-apprehended-for-2021-murder/
https://the-grip.net/2023/02/17/da-will-seek-gbi-investigation-of-gpd-officer-who-concealed-brothers-alleged-role-in-murder/
https://the-grip.net/2023/02/20/griffin-officials-decline-to-comment-on-gpd-sergeant-involved-in-murder-cover-up/
https://the-grip.net/2023/04/29/gpd-chief-mike-yates-administrative-leave-related-to-gbi-investigation-of-murder-case/
https://the-grip.net/2023/05/11/gpd-chief-allowed-no-contact-with-city-employees-or-access-to-city-premises/
King was placed on administrative leave when Broder requested the GBI investigation in February.
Two months after the GBI investigation began, Yates was placed on administrative leave with stipulations he refrain from contact – direct or indirect – with any city of Griffin employee, and that he refrain from coming onto city premises.
According to Griffin City Manager Jessica O’Connor, both Yates and King remain on administrative leave.
Connie Sampson was hired as interim chief of police in July.
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