DeKalb County

DeKalb County D.A. not filing criminal charges in 2019 homicide case, family wants answers

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County District Attorney will not be filing criminal charges in the homicide case of a man who died after police and firefighters responded to his home in 2019.

Jamon West’s family told Channel 2′s Audrey Washington they want accountability and change after their loved one’s death.

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West’s mother told Washington that DeKalb County firefighters and police responded to his home because he was having a seizure. She believes that instead of helping her son, they caused his death.

Yvonne West could barely contain her emotions as she talked about her 43-year-old son.

“I can’t believe my son, that my son is gone,” Yvonne West said. “Me calling for help and losing my child was the worst thing ever.”

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Yvonne says that in August 2019, she called 911 for help because her son was suffering from a seizure.

Attorneys for the family say that Jamon, a chef at the Georgia Dome, was unarmed when first responders arrived to his Lithonia home and reportedly held him to the ground. They also say they watched body cam video and saw Jamon lose consciousness.

“When you call 911 for help, it should not end with your loved one ultimately dying,” said attorney Mawuli Davis.

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The family now plans to pursue civil charges in the case.

“I would just want the people responsible for sitting on his back to be held accountable,” said Yvonne West.

In a statement about the decision, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said in part:

…based on our review of the facts, circumstances, and evidence associated with this matter, we have concluded that the actions of the responding emergency personnel do not rise to the level of reckless conduct and therefore criminal culpability.

Attorneys for the family say they expect to receive more body camera footage that will hopefully provide the family with more answers.

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