Savannah, GA – The attorney representing the Pepitone family is seeking further legal action against a former Bryan County deputy following an altercation last month, alleging violations of the family’s constitutional rights. Attorney Mark Newman contends the deputy’s actions went beyond a simple response to a perceived disrespect and escalated into a risky and unlawful display of force.
Newman asserts the initial encounter, captured in a video released by the families involved, shows the deputy telling the teens to leave the area, rather than indicating police were en route. “The very first time Squires rides by in the car, he’s telling them, ‘You need to get out of here’. He’s not telling them, ‘I’ve called the cops. You need to stay right here’,” Newman stated. He alleges the deputy then “jams the car in park, puts on the vest and pulls out the gun.”
The incident occurred after a reported confrontation between the deputy, identified as Squires, and a group of teenagers. While reports initially suggested the teens may have been armed, Newman stated, “none were ever found.”
Newman further alleges Squires and another officer, Stahlheber, were intoxicated at the time of the incident, noting Squires refused a breathalyzer test on the scene. “According to the witnesses that were on the scene, I think it’s pretty clear that thay were drunk,” Newman said. “I don’t know what the excuse is, ‘I was so drunk, I didn’t know what I was doing’ or ‘I wasn’t that drunk, I’m just mean.’ I mean, I don’t think there’s a good answer for that.But I definitely think with the deputy refusing a direct order to take a data master breathalyzer is telling.”
The Pepitone family experienced important trauma as a result of the incident, with two of their three sons having guns pointed at them, alongside their mother. Newman is pursuing legal action, claiming the deputy violated multiple policies and the family’s Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. “We believe the deputy violated a number of policies. We’re seeking damages for negligence. I think the main part of the case is going to end up in federal court, civil rights litigation,” he explained.
Newman indicated they are collaborating with the attorney representing the other juveniles involved in the incident, and are prepared to take the case to trial if negotiations with the county are unsuccessful. “They’ve done serious damage to this family. If they don’t take it seriously, then we’ll put it in front of a jury of 12 people and see what they have to say about it,” Newman said.
The attorney representing the other juveniles declined to comment, citing the seriousness of the case. WSAV News 3 has reached out to Bryan County officials for comment but has not yet received a response.
