Ex-Georgia deputies cleared in Black man's death

911 was called after Eurie Martin asked for water; he was then shocked with Tasers.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

RHETT SCOTT, found not guilty of felony murder, hugs his wife, Kelly Scott, left, and mother, Karen Scott.

(GRANT BLANKENSHIP Georgia Public Broadcasting)

Three former Georgia sheriff's deputies have been found not guilty of murder in the death of a Black man who raised a white homeowner’s suspicions by asking for a drink of water while walking through a small Georgia town.

Eurie Martin, 58, was repeatedly shocked with Tasers after he refused to answer their questions. Henry Lee Copeland, Michael Howell and Rhett Scott said he was walking illegally in the road, littered by dropping a soda can and aggressively refused to follow their commands.

After eight years and two trials, the jury verdicts late Thursday also cleared all three of aggravated assault. Scott was acquitted on all charges, but jurors deadlocked on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct against Copeland and Howell.

A mistrial in 2021 had ended in a deadlock on all counts.