Executive Summary
- Jacob Bard will not face murder charges for the death of De’Jon Darrell Fox, Jr. at Kentucky State University.
- A grand jury determined that Bard acted in self-defense and declined to return an indictment.
- Defense attorney Jonathan Danks confirmed the criminal case has been dismissed following the ruling.
A grand jury in Kentucky has declined to return an indictment against Jacob Bard regarding a fatal shooting incident at Kentucky State University, resulting in the dismissal of the criminal case against him. The decision effectively clears the Evansville resident of murder charges related to the death of 19-year-old De’Jon Darrell Fox, Jr.
According to Jonathan Danks, the attorney representing Bard, the grand jury convened on Tuesday to review the evidence surrounding the deadly altercation. Following the presentation of facts, the jurors determined that Bard had acted in self-defense during the incident. Consequently, the panel chose not to indict, and the charges have been dropped.
Attorney Danks confirmed that the dismissal of the case is final based on the grand jury’s findings. He further noted that his client, Jacob Bard, has declined to provide any personal statements or make public appearances following the ruling.
Judicial Process and Legal Implications
The refusal of a grand jury to indict, often known as a “no true bill,” signifies that the jurors did not find sufficient probable cause to believe a crime was committed that warrants a criminal trial, often validating affirmative defenses such as self-defense at an early stage in the legal process. This outcome halts the prosecution’s pursuit of the specific charges presented. It is important to note that under the United States justice system, all individuals named in criminal investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
