The murder charge for a man who shot and killed a trespasser in May 2023 has been dropped months after a mistrial.
Keith Sullivan was charged with murder in the death of Gregory Bagwell.
DeKalb County District Attorney Summer Summerford moved for the dismissal after speaking with the victim's family members and jurors from the March trial, which ended in a hung jury.
Bagwell, who was accused of terrorizing his neighbors for years and was described as "deranged," had a criminal history that included drug charges, reckless endangerment, arson, shooting into homes and having a standoff with police.
Sullivan, a beloved music teacher and church music director, has no criminal history.
The defense presented evidence that Sullivan was acting in self-defense. Sullivan passed a polygraph test, saying he believed Bagwell had a weapon.
After the jury was split 6-6, the district attorney stated it would be unlikely for any future jury to reach a unanimous decision.
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