– Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 –
Good morning. We are reporting on the rare release of police body camera footage to the public, how politics and retirement festivities entwine in Chatham County, and the indictment of a Glynn County school board member.
Questions, comments or story ideas? You can reach us at staff@thecurrentga.org.
NEWS: COURTS
Savannah Police shooting video released to public
The family of Saudi Lee, a local man killed by a Savannah Police Department officer in June 2022, released to the public Wednesday the body camera footage of his death.
It’s the latest unusual turn in ongoing criminal and civil cases examining the incident. Former officer Ernest Ferguson was indicted by a grand jury in September on multiple charges, including felony murder and lying to investigators about what happened in the June 24, 2022 incident, that resulted in Ferguson shooting Lee in the back four times.
He has pleaded not guilty and his attorney has said the shooting was self defense.
NEWS: PUBLIC SAFETY
Farewell, Sheriff Wilcher
Deputies, police officers and politicians across Georgia, and even some from South Carolina, gathered to pay homage to departing Chatham County Sheriff John T. Wilcher on Wednesday morning.
The 49-year veteran of the Chatham County sheriff’s office held a retirement party at Savannah Elks Lodge. He lost his seat to Democratic challenger, Richard Coleman, in November.
Wilcher has been sheriff since 2016, but his last candidacy raised questions about his health, following a cardiac arrest and hospitalization, and his policies regarding inmate welfare, namely charging fees to detainees talking on the phone.
The event focused on Wilcher’s legacy and his upcoming retirement. Chatham employees reminisced about their favorite Wilcher sayings and fellow officials told glowing stories.
“As we look at Sheriff Wilcher today, the character of the man is certain,” said Commission Chairman Chester Ellis, who is also a preacher. “I think, that the sheriff had a little talk with the man up above, and he said, to serve this present age is my calling.”
NEWS: GLYNN COUNTY
ICYMI: School board member’s indictment
A Glynn County school board member and accountant was swept up in a multi-defendant, multi-million dollar fraud indictment, according to reporting by The Current‘s Jabari Gibbs.
Prosecutors named Audrey Gibbons, a District 5 school board member, as a participant in a money laundering scheme involving a detainee in the Glynn County jail.
The man, Asaad Amir Hasuan, aka Dante Fredrick, is accused of falsely promising legal assistance, physical protection and investment opportunities to his victims’ incarcerated loved ones. He allegedly implied that fellow inmates were at risk of bodily harm, or even death to spur victims into these deals.
The Current reached Gibbons, who denied knowledge of the wrongdoing. She said she was simply hired to oversee payroll and sales tax accounting.
In rare occurrence, family of Savannah Police shooting victim releases footage
Decision by family of Saudi Lee, killed by a Savannah Police Department officer Ernest Ferguson in 2022, to release body camera footage marks latest unusual turn in cases examining the fatal shooting.
Glynn County school board member indicted on federal charges
Indictment alleges man carried on a fraud scheme from behind bars at the Glynn County jail along with others who acted as ‘money mules,’ inlcuding a sitting school board member.
Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Savannah ordinance outlawing guns left in unlocked cars
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Maternal deaths, women’s health prompt legislation
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Research: Small acts of kindness, connection really can change world
Research shows that individual acts of kindness and connection can have a real impact on global change when these acts are collective. This is true at multiple levels: between individuals, between people and institutions, and between cultures.
Georgia scientists look to seagrass for climate solutions
Georgia researchers are studying ways to encourage seagrass to store more carbon.
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