Donky Owner Sues Officer
Hannah Israel’s lawyers plan to proceed with a civil lawsuit against Trenton Garner despite his reported criminal clearance.
By Matthew Collins ·
A civil lawsuit against a Polk County officer will move forward even after reports indicated he was cleared of criminal charges for killing a donkey.
The incident occurred in August at Ellsbury Riding and Farm in Rockmart. Officer Trenton Garner shot and killed a donkey named HeeHaw. Following the shooting, Garner was placed on administrative leave. The Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit district attorney reportedly cleared Garner of criminal charges, though his lawyers say they have not yet received the court documents confirming that decision.
Chris McCormick, an attorney for HeeHaw’s owner Hannah Israel, criticized the use of force in a written statement. “There was simply no justification for HeeHaw to be killed. There’s no universe in which he posed any danger whatsoever. Our battle for accountability will continue,” McCormick wrote. The legal team maintains the shooting was unjustified and intends to seek accountability through the pending civil case.
The civil lawsuit stands separate from the criminal process. A decision not to file criminal charges does not automatically resolve a civil suit, which applies different legal standards. McCormick emphasized that the reported clearance does not change the team’s plans to litigate.
It remains unclear whether the district attorney has issued a formal public statement explaining the reported decision. The next scheduled step in the legal process is the continuation of the civil lawsuit against Garner.
Source: FOX 5 Atlanta
