A man convicted of burglary fled the Monroe Co. courthouse Wednesday after being convicted on burglary charges and sentenced to 20 years. The man bolted after his mother fainted in the courtroom. It is not known if her antics were part of the escape plan. UPDATE: The suspect had a weapon on him when arrested. The suspect is reportedly from Butts County. The man’s brother/codefendant committed suicide and left a note claiming full responsibility for the crime in which the brothers were charged. From the Georgia Bureau of Investigation: The GBI, in cooperation with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a use of force incident involving Monroe County deputies today. This morning Jeffrey Keith Sligh, 36, was in the Monroe County courthouse on West Main Street in Forsyth where he was being tried on burglary and arson charges. Sligh had been found guilty of burglary and was sentenced to 20 years in confinement. Deputies were in the process of taking Sligh into custody when he escaped and fled the area in his vehicle. A short distance from the courthouse he was involved in an accident. Sligh exited his vehicle and stole a Monroe County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle, fleeing the scene. Deputies pursued Sligh and ultimately apprehended him at the Georgia Highway 83 ramp to I-75 North (Exit 187). Gunshots were fired during the incident however no one was injured. Sligh is being held in the Monroe County jail. No further information is being released as this is an active investigation.
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