Justice

for Caroline McGehee Small

and Children, LLC
510 Frank Shaw Rd., Tallahassee, Florida 32312
(850) 544-0131
November 18, 2015


Via Hand Delivery
The Honorable Governor Nathan Deal The Honorable Attorney General Sam Olens
Office of the Governor Attorney Generals Office
206 Washington Street 40 Capitol Square, SW
111 State Capitol



Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Atlanta, Georgia 30334


Re: Justice for Caroline McGehee Small

Dear Governor Deal and Attorney General Olens:

We write on behalf of Karen McGehee, mother of Caroline Small. Caroline was shot
and killed by two Glynn County Police officers on June 18, 2010. We formed our
organization several months ago after investigative reports in the Atlanta Journal
Constitution and on Channel 2 Action News revealed the disturbing truth about the
circumstances of Carolines death and of District Attorney (DA) Jackie Johnsons
subsequent mishandling of the grand jury proceeding that exonerated the two officers.1
Our group now numbers approximately 100 people and continues to grow. Many of us
knew Caroline as she grew up in our church. We were horrified to see the video recording
of two police officers firing eight shots at Caroline. They fired at point blank range through
the windshield of her automobile while it was clearly trapped and disabled. Caroline posed
no credible threat to any police officer or bystander when the officers opened fire.
The officers behavior in the aftermath, also documented in the video, showed their
callous disregard for Carolines life:
o The video shows that neither officer checked to see if Caroline was still alive.
Instead, the officers bragged on their marksmanship. One officer stated: I
hit her right in the face right on the bridge of the nose.

1 The articles and news reports may be viewed at http//investigations.myajc.com/caroline-small-
shooting/ and http://investigations.myajc.com/overtheline/#da-misconcuct. We are indebted to
reporters Brad Schrade and Jodie Fleischer for exposing the true circumstances of Carolines death
and the subsequent cover-up.

Honorable Governor Nathan Deal

November 18, 2015
o A bystander, a former firefighter, asked if he should render aid. An officer
told him no, saying shes dead. I shot her in the head. Her head exploded.
o Caroline survived in a coma for seven excruciating days before she was
removed from life support.
We wish to acknowledge that the behavior of Georgia Highway Patrol Officers was
exemplary and beyond reproach. A Highway Patrol Officer started to handle the situation
appropriately by pulling Caroline out of the automobile, but retreated when he saw the
Glenn County Police officers pointing their weapons at her. After the shooting Highway
Patrol Officers rendered aid until medical personnel arrived. However, it is clear to us that
it was completely unnecessary for the two Glynn County police officers to shoot Caroline. It
is beyond question that the shooting was an unreasonable use of deadly force.
Moreover, the most recent AJC article and Channel 2 news report based on
compelling interviews with four former prosecutors from the Brunswick DA office, show
convincingly that DA Jackie Johnsons egregious conduct after the shooting violated Georgia
law and prevented a full and fair hearing by the grand jury that exonerated the officers. It
is an understatement to say that justice was not done in this case.

On behalf of Karen McGehee, we appeal to you, as the chief law enforcement officers
of the State of Georgia, to do the following:
1. Direct the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate the conduct of the
Glynn County police, both in Carolines death and in regard to police officers
subsequent interference in the GBI investigation following the shooting and the
presentation of inaccurate evidence to the grand jury.
2. Governor Deal, it is our understanding that you have both plenary power under the
Georgia Constitution and statutory powers under Georgia law to direct the Attorney
General to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing by any Georgia official. We ask
that you exercise your powers to order an investigation into whether DA Jackie
Johnson violated her Oath of Office and Georgia law by her actions in this matter,
including by failing to present an indictment to the grand jury, allowing the officers
attorneys to cross-examine witnesses, and allowing the officers to show the grand
jury a factually inaccurate and misleading animated reenactment of the shooting
prepared by the Glynn County Police Department. Overall, DA Johnsons conduct in
this case shows such a strong bias toward the police that it raises doubt about
whether she can be trusted to protect Georgia citizens from the real, although very
rare, threat of unjustified police violence.
3. Direct the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) to
investigate the police officers conduct and, if warranted, to cancel their certification
to serve as police officers. It is clear to us that these officers are a continuing danger
to the public. It is incumbent upon you, as Georgias chief law enforcement officers,
to insure that only qualified and responsible individuals serve as law enforcement
officers in Georgia.
2

Honorable Governor Nathan Deal

November 18, 2015
In conclusion, on behalf of Karen McGehee, we implore you to order full and fair
investigations of the terrible circumstances of her daughter, Caroline Smalls, death. We
also believe it will be important for you to make the results of these investigations
available to the public to restore public confidence in state oversight of Georgias law
enforcement agencies. We would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to
discuss these matters. Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Apgar, Chairman
Justice for Caroline McGehee Small
and Children, LLC