Deputy’s case sent to grand jury
A Catoosa County, Georgia magistrate judge sent Walker County Deputy Shawn Norris’ attempted rape case to a grand jury.
At the request of Norris’ attorney Larry Stagg, the magistrate held a preliminary hearing in his case Friday morning. Stagg said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Dan Nicholson presented law enforcement’s version of events. The defense did not call any witnesses.
Stagg said he expected the magistrate to bind the case over to the grand jury.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” he said. “But I wanted to see what law enforcement’s story was.”
According to the GBI, a woman said Norris and Walker County Deputy Brandon England tried to hold her against her will and rape her in a Fort Oglethorpe apartment in June. She escaped and went to a hospital, where Fort Oglethorpe investigators interviewed her.
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said he was told the woman had a “consensual relationship” with one of the deputies on the night in question. That deputy then brought her to the other’s apartment, where the crimes allegedly occurred.
In addition to attempted rape, both deputies face charges of aggravated assault and false imprisonment. England’s case has not gone before a magistrate, said his attorney, Dan Ripper.
Wilson said both deputies are suspended without pay. The department launched an internal investigation after their arrest.
Wilson said the results of that investigation are pending.