MACON, Ga. — After a Peach County Sheriff's deputy shot and killed Caleb Hooten, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Macon District Attorney's Office, and the Peach County Sheriff gathered to hold a joint press conference. During the conference, they discussed the process for the investigation and stressed their want for transparency with the public.
"I will begin today to express to you that my heart hurts for Mr. Hooten's family. They, along with other members of our greater community, have expressed concerns regarding this incident and have asked for additional information," District Attorney Anita Howard said.
She explained that while she cannot discuss any evidence in the case, they can discuss the process.
She said this case, like all cases, deserves diligence and time.
Firstly, the GBI is in charge of the investigation, and then it goes to the DA's office for the final decision.
Howard guaranteed a thorough review of the case when it gets to her office. She said she would personally make the decision over whether to take the case to the grand jury or whether the shooting was justified under the law.
The role of a prosecutor is narrowly limited. They primarily determine if Georgia law was violated and if a crime can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The law in question for this case is the official code of Georgia, annotated section 17-4-20.
"Although each case in these types of situations carries with them their own specific, factual scenarios," Howard said.
She said she was told about the case on Tuesday, Oct. 10 and visited the scene that same day. She saw law enforcement already talking to neighbors in the area.
"I know in Black and brown communities, trust in the criminal justice system isn't as strong as it could be. I understand that. What's important, though, is that investigators collect all the facts without participation from the public," she said.
Howard urges anyone with information to contact the GBI at 478-987-4545.
"We want to know what you saw and what you know. Caleb Hooten and his family deserve the truth," she said.
On Oct. 12, she says she viewed a body camera and car camera video. Howard said she wouldn't say more until the investigation is complete with the GBI and turned over to her office.
She will let Hotten's family, the GBI, Peach County Sheriff's Office and the deputy involved all know when a decision has been made. At this time, she will not share evidence or facts about the case to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Special agent in charge Jerry Jones with the GBI also spoke. He says it is protocol for the GBI to take requests from agencies to investigate use-of-force cases.
The Peach County Sheriff's Office asked for the GBI to investigate on Oct. 10. When requested, they responded to the scene and gathered information about what happened.
A crime scene specialist was also other to collect all relevant evidence, and agents looked for witnesses in the case. Jones says agents may also identify security systems from nearby homes that may have also caught the incident.
All the information is analyzed at the GBI crime lab. Jones says these types of investigations have a 90-day timeframe.
"While for the families that's never soon enough, we understand, but our goal is to be thorough and collect all information that's relevant to the investigation so the DA can make an informed decision based on the evidence and the facts," Jones said.
He emphasized that the investigation deserves the time it takes to make sure all the correct information is gathered.
"We ask that you trust the process. The process will include checks and balances throughout the process of the investigation and patience," he said.
Peach County Sheriff Deese says the sheriff's office understands how important the investigation is and will continue to be transparent with the GBI and the community.
"We understand that Peach County is a small community, and this is a tragedy that affects all of our community. I can't even begin to imagine to put myself in the position of the Hotten family. I'm truly sorry this happened. But now we're at the point where we need to find out exactly what happened. That depends on all of us working together," Deese said.
He says the policy is that from the scene, deputies immediately call in the GBI to do a complete independent investigation. Deese says while that was happening, two deputies were attempting to render aid to Caleb Hooten.
Deese quoted Hooten's father by saying, "We want what's right."
"The judicial system wants what's right, our community in Peach County wants what's right, and they deserve that, and we are dedicated, committed to doing our part to that we find out what is right in this case," he said.
A decision is made by the District Attorney's Office between two weeks to a month after the DA gets it, depending on what is needed for the case.
Sgt. Hermes Rodrigez has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. This is the first use of force investigation involving this deputy.
Media is not allowed to see the incident report or body cam footage as they cannot release evidence from the investigation as long as it is active. Once closed, the press can have access to the footage and incident report.