Alleged Shoplifter Jumps Off Balcony Fleeing Police at Georgia Mall

Jeffrey Newell has been accused of shoplifting $1200 worth of clothing, running into a 5-year-old, fleeing from police, and jumping over the balcony railing at Perimeter Mall on Saturday. 

He was eventually stunned with a taser and arrested following the incident. Dekalb County authorities recorded the entire incident from body cameras. The video shows Newell fleeing from officers and jumping over the indoor balcony. He apparently fell 20 to 30 feet. He knocked through crowds of people including pushing a little girl to the ground. 

He's also been accused of pulling a knife on someone else on his way out of the mall just before he was apprehended.

Newell is facing the following charges:

• Shoplifting in Georgia 
• Aggravated Assault in Georgia
• Obstruction in Georgia
• Reckless Conduct in Georgia

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline one of the offenses Newell is facing: reckless conduct. 

Reckless Conduct in Georgia

The criminal offense of reckless conduct in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code as:

A person who causes bodily harm to or endangers the bodily safety of another person by consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk that his act or omission will cause harm or endanger the safety of the other person and the disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care which a reasonable person would exercise in the situation is guilty of a misdemeanor. O.C.G.A. §16-5-40.

A conviction for reckless conduct is considered a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor conviction can include a penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000.

Practice Note

Reckless conduct is a criminal offense that covers a range of dangerous activities that people commit without taking the precautions that a reasonable person would. The offense itself does not require a specific intent to cause harm to others - although that is usually the result. 

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Georgia, contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney today.