The man who shot a Statesboro Police Officer was scheduled to enter a plea in Bulloch County on Friday but his attorney instead announced the case will be going to trial.
Background
Officers were dispatched to Copper Beech Townhomes for a report of a man unlawfully entering vehicles in the parking lot. Officers were on foot searching for the suspect when Advanced Patrol Officer Joey Deloach observed a male inside a parked vehicle who matched the description given by the caller. Deloach ordered the male, later identified as 19-year-old Anthony Kent, to exit the vehicle, and an exchange of gunfire resulted as Kent exited. Deloach was struck and fellow officers rendered aid before Deloach was taken to East Georgia Regional Medical Center and ultimately by helicopter to Memorial in Savannah.
Kent was taken into custody by Statesboro Police Officers and deputies with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office shortly after fleeing on foot. Authorities learned that he had active felony arrest warrants from Treutlen County and, due to his injuries during the exchange of gunfire, he was also taken for treatment before being taken to the Bulloch County Jail.
The Statesboro Police Department requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to review the use of force incident and Kent was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Public Safety Officer.
The following month, a grand jury indicted Kent on charges of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, two counts of Entering an Automobile, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and Obstruction of an Officer (felony).
Kent entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ at his arraignment and has been held in the Bulloch County Jail awaiting further court action.
In February, attorneys for Kent asked a judge to exclude body camera evidence due to the graphic nature of the video.
Friday Court
Anthony De’Jarion Kent did not appear in court Friday, but his attorney, public defender Renatta Newbill-Jallow, said the case will be going to trial. The announcement was an apparent surprise to most other parties as the victim and other supporters were present in anticipation of the plea. Judge Thompson indicated that the case would be placed on the calendar and that there were no further outstanding motions on which he needs to rule.
