Posted on 04/29/2005 1:34:43 PM PDT by real saxophonist
Inmate shoots himself before father's funeral
By Wayne Crenshaw
Telegraph Staff Writer
COCHRAN - A Dodge County inmate, released into a deputy's custody to attend his father's funeral, shot himself to death Wednesday at his own home, authorities said.
Jonathan Kendall Grantham, 49, of Cochran, was being escorted to the funeral by a Bleckley County deputy, said Bleckley County Sheriff Harold Lancaster.
Before the funeral, Grantham was taken to his residence - a small mobile home on Roddy Road - so he could change clothes before the service. The deputy escorting him, 12-year veteran Bob Pearson, allowed Grantham to take a shower. The deputy then heard a gunshot and discovered that Grantham had shot himself with a large-caliber handgun, Lancaster said.
Lancaster said Grantham showed normal signs of mourning but gave no indication of being suicidal. He also said Pearson checked the bathroom before letting Grantham enter the room.
"I don't plan any action against the deputy," Lancaster said. "We were trying to help a family.
" K.A. Golden, special agent in charge of the GBI office in Eastman, said the investigation found that the shooting was a suicide and that there was no wrongdoing on the deputy's part.
Though sheriffs' departments are not required to escort inmates to the funerals of immediate family members, both Lancaster and Golden said it is often done.
"They were just trying to be kind and considerate," Golden said. "It was an unfortunate event in that it was not predictable."
Grantham was arrested by the Oconee Drug Task Force earlier this year on charges of trafficking methamphetamine, said Todd Lowery, the task force commander. He had been free on bond until last week when he made a court appearance related to the case. At that hearing, officers discovered OxyContin pills in his possession, and his bond was revoked, Lowery said.
Lancaster said Grantham was allowed to enter the home because relatives had been unable to find his suit pants.
The family suggested that Grantham could probably find the pants himself.
Lancaster said the incident will not deter his department from continuing the practice of escorting inmates to funerals, but there will be one change.
"We'll never take an inmate to a residence again to change clothes because it can't be secured," he said.
Checked for guns, or donuts?
I think that's one lucky deputy!
the deputy is extremely lucky that HE didn't get shot by the meth-head
It just took a while to finish the job.
I think you're right!
Very , very fortunate , my first thought also , a friend of mine would say about such events ,..."I'd be face-down in the center asile[at church] giving thanks"
I admire how (s)he phrased that. Very much so.
Interesting that noone so far can empathize with people in such a position. I've watched people on this board for years who have no sympathy for people in such a position. Well maybe such people will themselves one day be in this position. Heh and i wish them the worst.
What position are you talking about?
The position that drug users or anyone for that matter deserve death and rape. When people can advocate for such thing for a crime without a victim, other then themselves, well they aren't worth knowing and certinly aren't conservative.
The position that drug users or anyone for that matter deserve death and rape. When people can advocate for such thing for a crime without a victim, other then themselves, well they aren't worth knowing and certinly aren't conservative.
You've just said two completely different things.
according to what statndard? Both Posts are consistant. How many posts here on drug threads rejoice that they will be sharing a cell with "Bubba" or are happy they were dead ? Remember this: while you may not be in this postition now of being on the wrong side of the law the "law" is now rapidly becoming more emcompassing and bigger and many who now tut tut at petty criminals such as drug users have only to wait until what they do is illegal, and in that i will smile when those chicken come home to roost.
I remember this happening in Miami (Hialeah) once.
DEA came to pick up a dealer on a warrant and he having done time before wasn't too keen and asked to go tinkle and they let him into the bathroom where he had a gun hidden and blew his head off.
I bet John Law in that circumstance says a thank you prayer the suspect was no Billy the Kid wannabe.
I'm sorry for the dead man.
He was obviously despondent and showed good form in not killing the cops btw.
I also feel sorry for whatever family he has left.
There are criminals I do not feel sorry for.....Chesters for example.
Lots of tuff talk here is just strokers....probably haven't been around much.
Post 12 talks about advocating a position. According to you, the position that one in one of the above positions should die.
Two different things.
And show me where anyone so far has advocated the alleged position from post 12.
Gotta go to work, be back in about 12 hours...
The 'position' should be obvious. The positions that since these poor slobs are not doing what you are it's ok to allow things done to them that you wouldn't normally allow to be be done to you for doing harm to your own body. But with smokers being regulated and now the people who hold a bit more weight than the government holds as healthy, well..i would think anyone could see the end of such thinking. You should be careful what you allow to be done to others because it does not juct stop at them, and i am saying this to conservative who are alledgedly for smaller government.
no that you'll harm yourself in other ways. Who knows what dark thoughts a politician can come up with Ayn Rand was right about that. And those who now applaud this treatment of those they consider their inferiors set themselves up for the same thing when the government decides they also can be best controled by being a criminal.
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