(ICYMI) Suspect Found Guilty in Controversial Police Chase

The man who was the suspect in the high-speed chase that drew accusations of excessive force and led to the suspension of former Douglasville Chief Chris Womack has been convicted of charges stemming from the incident.

A Douglas County jury took less than 3 hours Wednesday to find Morris Tommy Slaughter guilty of fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement and reckless driving, according to a news release by the district attorney’s office.

Slaughter, a five-time convicted felon, according to the news release, will be sentenced Sept. 21.

The high-profile chase, which ended with a wreck on I-20, happened March 20 and resulted in the suspension of Womack as investigators looked into claims of excessive force. Womack, who was involved in the chase, was cleared of wrong-doing. Womack retired from the force last month.

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Prosecutors said eyewitness testimony and dash-cam video revealed Slaughter wove in and out of traffic at speeds in excess of 140 mph. The chase ended when Slaughter crashed into another car on the interstate.

From the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office

“Evidence presented at trial showed the jury that the entire chase began because the Defendant was seen by Dillard’s security crouching behind a cash register in the mall and putting items into his pocket. When confronted by security and law enforcement, the Defendant got into a brief altercation and fled on foot towards his Hyundai Sonata. Once in his car he fled the mall and exited onto I-20 with more than 5 police vehicles pursuing him. Several officers testified it was the fastest chase they had ever been involved in during their various careers.

District Attorney Brian Fortner said his office won’t tolerate such life-threatening behavior in the community.

“Slaughter’s actions could have resulted in any number of our citizens being killed on the roadway that day, and he deserved to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Fortner said in a statement. “I am grateful for the dedicated service of the jury in this case and the hard work of ADA Knittel and his team in bringing the Defendant to justice.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steve Knittel in front of Superior Court Judge William H. McClain.

Photo: Morris Tommy Slaughter mug shot; Douglas DA’s Office Facebook