APD officers will not face charges in Robert Edwards case
According to the Travis County District Attorney's Office, a Travis County Grand Jury chose not to indict Austin Police Officers Michael Stone and Erik Witte for their actions during the arrest of Robert Brandon Edwards.
Edwards was pronounced dead on January 30 at a South Austin hospital after being detained by Officers Stone and Witte. The T.C. Medical Examiner's Office ruled that Edwards died as a result of the combined effects of methamphetamine, PCP, and physiologic stress associated with the restraint procedures.
According to records, Officers Stone and Witte were responding to a 911 call from a HEB grocery store on South IH-35 and William Cannon. Witnesses reported a subject, later identified as Edwards, screaming for help, saying someone was trying to kill him.
According to the report, Edwards began to struggle and grabbing items as employees attempted to escort Edwards out of the store.
The report states that Officer Stone arrived on the scene and arrested Edwards, escorting him to a patrol unit outside of the store. In an attempt to prevent Edwards from kicking or injuring himself, Officers Stone and Witte held Edwards' shoulders and feet down.
According to the report, paramedics were called and arrived on scene beginning CPR on Edwards prior to taking him to the hospital. Edwards was later pronounced dead.
The Travis County District Attorney's Office said the Grand Jury spent almost four hours reviewing evidence and listening to testimony from five witnesses.