The special prosecutor in the David Hooks case, Chuck Spahos, told 13WMAZ's Paula Rotondo Wednesday that Laurens County grand jurors found there wasn't enough evidence to pursue criminal charges.
The report says when deputies entered the home, Hooks pointed his shotgun at them. It states the deputies asked Hooks to put away the gun, he refused, and then four deputies fired at Hooks.
The autopsy presented to the Grand Jury showed that Hooks had three gunshot wounds. It says there was no proof that Hooks was shot while lying face down, as the family lawyer Mitch Shook claimed.
The same autopsy on Hooks showed he had methamphetamine in his blood. The jurors say that finding demonstrates Hooks' connection to the drug. But his attorney says that's false. In a statement Mitch Shook sent us, he said, "The committee of grand jurors was not notified that David Hooks had been taking prescription medication which will test positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine."
He continues by stating those medications were in the home at the time the GBI searched.
Shook told us by phone the fight is not over. He and the family plan on taking the case to the federal courts.
The special grand jury wrapped up their statements by recommending the Sheriff's department cease from executing searches late in the evening.
In a statement, Sheriff Bill Harrell responded, saying "We cannot make a blanket announcement to those involved in criminal activity, especially drug activity, that the night is theirs."
Read the family's statement here.
The special investigative grand jury finished up their proceedings around 1 p.m. Friday.
On Thursday, 13WMAZ's Paula Rotondo reported that several witnesses, along with GBI agents and lawyers in the case, entered the Dublin Police Department building. They reviewed the September shooting that killed David Hooks.
The raid was reportedly based on a tip from a burglary suspect. Harrell has declined comment on the case since the GBI took over the investigation last fall.
Spahos took over the case after District Attorney Craig Fraser said it would be a conflict of interest for him.
