The case around the September death of Eric Keais while he was riding a bicycle during the evening remains in a legal limbo as courts remain closed, and the first news outlet to break the story recently posted an update about where it stands at this time, along with comments from the Keais’ family attorney that evidence for a wrongful death suit has not been forthcoming.

District Attorney Jack Browning had no comment on the story, and State Rep. Trey Kelley and Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome have not yet responded to requests for comments about the latest update on the case, stemming from the Sept. 11, 2019 hit and run death of Keais on North Main Street at the hands of Ralph Dover, according to previously reported police and coroner’s reports.

That incident involved Kelley and Newsome after it was reported that Dover called Kelley for help that night, and after Kelley arrived near the scene where Keais was hit to find Dover’s truck damaged, he called the Police Chief instead of 911.

A grand jury in the case was supposed to be sat in March to hear evidence, but COVID-19 pandemic closures have now delayed that process in four different orders from Georgia’s Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who has kept courts closed by emergency orders since shutdowns began months ago. The latest order is expected to expire in mid-August, but the likelihood of court returning to session at this time is low.

11Alive also reported in their piece that a notice has been delivered to the City of Cedartown over the intention to file a wrongful death suit following the events of that night, and evidence for that case has yet to be provided.

The City of Cedartown was sought for comment and had none at the moment, but officials did say they would look into the matter of what evidence has been turned over to the attorney further.

Kelley, who faced a primary challenge from former County Commissioner Jennifer Hulsey in the June primary, won out and heads to the November ballot with a Democratic challenger, Lyndsay Arrendale.