SHELBYVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A Shelbyville police officer will not be charged in the November shooting death of a former teen athlete. Wednesday, a Shelby County grand jury decided not to indict Officer Suzanna Marcum on one count of murder in the death of 18-year-old Trey Williams.
We've been told the grand jury did not hear from Marcum, but did hear testimony from the Kentucky State Police investigator involved in the case. The family's attorney is still promising to fight to get answers.
The parents of former Shelby County basketball player Trey Williams told us they wanted answers about the November police shooting of their son because no one would talk to them. But getting answers may prove even more difficult because the grand jury did not indict Marcum and delivered a rare statement with its decision. Frank Mascagni, the Williams family attorney, described what the grand jury stated.
"This was a tragedy all the way around for the police officers and of course Trey Williams family and they wanted whoever is listening to know that this was their decision after thorough and thoughtful deliberation," said Mascagni.
Marcum and Officer Frank Willoughby went to the home of Williams grandmother on a burglary call when they claim Trey Williams came at them with a pipe. Shelbyville Police Chief Robert Schutte said he can't imagine what the Williams family is going through, but said it's also been hard on his small department.
"It's been a difficult process for everybody involved," said Schutte. "I don't want to minimize the feelings of the family, but it's also been a difficult time for the officers involved."
Mascagni said questions about the police entry into the house haven't been answered and he's still waiting on a copy of the autopsy and toxicology report.
"I am certainly entitled to get those documents in a civil proceeding and I'm trying to be nice and civil, but if I continue to receive resistance for transparency I'm going to get ugly," said Mascagni.
Once he has the documents, Mascagni said he and attorney Ann Oldfather will talk with the family and determine if they should file a wrongful death civil action.
Chief Schutte said Marcum and Willoughby will remain on paid administrative leave for now.
Copyright 2012 WAVE News. All rights reserved.
Trey Williams (Source: family photo)
Officer Suzanna Marcum (Source: KSP)
Officer Frank Willoughby (Source: KSP)
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