The review

of a GBI investigation into the death of a Fayette County jail inmate

will be handled by Chattahoochee District Attorney Gray Conger.

Local District

Attorney William McBroom said Monday that he recused himself from the

case because he works closely with the Fayette County Sheriff's Department,

which operates the jail. Conger was appointed by an order from the chief

judge of the Griffin circuit, Ben J. Miller, McBroom said.

The inmate,

James E. Eppinger, died Aug. 27 although the GBI has not released the

results of the autopsy citing a pending investigation.

According to

original reports, Eppinger was being moved from the regular jail population

to another area when he became combative with jail personnel. He was injured

during the confrontation and taken to Fayette Community Hospital, where

he later died.

Conger will

determine whether the investigation revealed any evidence of wrongdoing

which should be presented to a grand jury, McBroom added.

Conger could

not be reached for comment by press time.

Fayette County

Sheriff Randall Johnson asked the GBI to investigate the matter after

notifying them of the altercation.