The district attorney and the local police both requested state assistance on May 5th. Following that request, the investigation materials were reviewed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Shortly thereafter, charges were filed and arrest warrants issued.
The police didn’t decide anything. They requested assistance in the case. The district attorney requested assistance in the case. The evidence was reviewed. Charges were filed. If the state cannot prove illegal action by the McMichaels beyond a reasonable doubt, then the McMichaels will walk free. Otherwise, one or both of them will serve time commensurate with Georgia state law.
I believe the police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are doing their jobs to the best of their respective abilities. And based on the videos and statements released in this case thus far, I think a trial is absolutely warranted. A man is dead and it isn’t at all clear why. The best available video we have fails to show the initial confrontation, and absolutely does not exonerate anyone on its own. A jury trial is the best way to sort out what took place and apply the law.
Also, it wasn’t “4 months”. The incident took place Feb 23, 2020. The GBI was asked to assist on May 5, 2020. That’s 72 days, or 2 months 11 days.
Thank you for the response, and the correction on the timeline.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.