Macon DA won’t charge Bibb County officers in inmate Stephen Fossett’s death
Fossett, an inmate at the Bibb County Jail, became unresponsive and died on May 25, 2024, after officers deployed tasers while trying to control his drug-induced, combative behavior, according to a news release.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon District Attorney’s Office will not pursue charges against Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies involved in the death of inmate Stephen Fossett.
Fossett, an inmate at the Bibb County Jail, became unresponsive and died on May 25, 2024, after officers deployed tasers while trying to control his drug-induced, combative behavior, according to a news release.
On April 9, 2025, District Attorney Anita Howard determined that criminal charges against the officers were not legally warranted. The DA’s office said its review included analysis of surveillance video, body-worn camera footage, witness statements from officers and medical staff, taser deployment records, and autopsy findings.
Howard released the following statement:
“After careful review of all available evidence, we have concluded that the force used by officers was reasonable under the circumstances and did not violate Georgia law governing the use of force by peace officers. The evidence shows that the officers were responding to a rapidly evolving situation with an inmate who had consumed an illegal substance, became combative, and attempted to flee while in custody.”
The news release stated that medical evidence confirmed Fossett had consumed the controlled substance MDMB-4enPINACA, commonly known as K2, before the incident. Officers initially sought medical help after finding him unresponsive. However, Fossett became combative when medical staff tried to treat him, resulting in an ongoing struggle during which tasers were deployed.
Forensic analysis of the tasers showed that despite multiple trigger pulls, the total deployment time was 13.24 seconds, within the 15-second threshold recommended in training, according to Howard’s office.
After the investigation, the medical examiner determined the cause of death was the toxic effects of K2, complicated by the physical altercation, restraint, and taser use. Additional contributing factors included schizophrenia, pulmonary emphysema, and a bridged left anterior descending coronary artery.
