The Worth County Grand Jury met on Wednesday, September 4, 2013, returned a no bill after considering the indictment of Thomas Seth Frye, the Warwick Police Officer whose police dog, Sasha, died inside his police vehicle in September 2012.
The group of Worth County citizens was presented with a document giving them the option of indicting Frye with misdemeanor cruelty to animals. They heard the evidence in the case, which was presented by an agent with Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the agency in charge of investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of the animal. The grand jury members had the opportunity to ask the testifying agent questions about the facts of the case. After presentation of the evidence and answering relevant questions in the matter, the grand jury debated the issue and voted on the matter of indicting Frye. After the vote, the group returned a “no bill” in the matter.
The return of a “true bill” is required before prosecutors may move forward with legal action against the accused. A majority of grand jurors must vote in favor of a true bill of indictment in order for a true bill to be issued.
Frye could have been charged with cruelty to animals, misdemeanor grade, after an investigation by the GBI revealed that his police dog, Sasha, had died inside his vehicle. It is believe the dog was able to use her teeth and jaw to open the vehicle door and climbed inside, but was unable to get out. The dog’s ability to open vehicle doors was known by independent witnesses familiar with the animal. She was also known to have a fear of loud noises and may have entered Frye’s vehicle during a thunderstorm at a time when Frye was not present at the residence.
The presentation to the grand jury was jointly presented by the offices of the Tifton Judicial Circuit District Attorney and the Worth County Solicitor-General.