Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

A Georgia man’s long walk leads to a fatal encounter with police

From left: Former deputy Rhett Scott, former deputy Michael Howell and former Sgt. Lee Copeland are the three Washington County officers who could face murder charges in the death of 58-year-old Euree Lee Martin. (Photos courtesy of WJBF-TV)
From left: Former deputy Rhett Scott, former deputy Michael Howell and former Sgt. Lee Copeland are the three Washington County officers who could face murder charges in the death of 58-year-old Euree Lee Martin. (Photos courtesy of WJBF-TV)
By Christian Boone
Nov 8, 2017

Since 2010, at least 14 Georgians have died following altercations with law enforcement involving Tasers.

Now, criminal charges appear likely against the police officers who wielded the stun guns in one of those cases.

A prosecutor said he plans to bring murder charges against three Washington County sheriffs' deputies who used a Taser on 58-year-old Euree Martin in July.

Martin was walking 20 miles to visit family in Sandersville when his path intersected with the deputies.

Learn more about what happened that night and what this case could mean. Read the full story at MyAJC.com

About the Author

A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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