Clarke Co grand jury indicts ex-deputy after deadly shooting in Athens

An ex-Georgia deputy accused of shooting and killing a University of Georgia graduate student because he believed the man was having an affair with his wife was indicted on seven felonies last week, according to court records.

Madison County Deputy Winford “Trey” Terrell Adams, 32, was fired in November after being charged with murder in the death of 26-year-old Benjamin Lloyd Cloer, AJC.com previously reported.

On Feb. 4, he was indicted by a Clarke County grand jury on charges of malice murder, felony murder, first-degree home invasion, two counts of aggravated assault and two firearm possession charges, court records show.

According to previously released 911 calls, Adams immediately called for help and admitted to dispatchers that he shot the college student, who was pursuing a master’s degree in artificial intelligence at UGA.

“I just shot somebody,” Adams said on the call. “My wife was cheating on me, and I couldn’t take it. I didn’t shoot her, I shot the guy. I couldn’t stop myself.”

While on the call, Adams did not know the extent of Cloer’s injuries, since he had run away from his alleged attacker. The incident happened in the 6000 block of Old Jefferson Road.

“He ran away. I don’t even know if I hit him,” Adams said, breathing heavily. “I’m about to go look for him.”

The 911 operator told the deputy not look for him, and to put his gun down as he waited for police to arrive. Adams then threatened to kill himself, telling the operator that he’s a deputy sheriff and “can’t go to jail for the rest of (his) life.”

“I can’t go to jail,” he cried. “I can’t. I’m sorry ... Tell Athens-Clarke County I’m not going to hurt any of them, but I can’t go to jail.”

Toward the end of the nearly 5-minute call, Adams expressed concern for Cloer, asking dispatchers if they received a call from him and if he was OK.

“If you’re there, I’m sorry,” the deputy can be heard yelling, presumably to the man he had just fatally wounded. “Oh my God ... I did shoot him. I see him. I see blood on the steps.”

The deputy’s wife also placed a 911 call, telling authorities that her husband had just shot her friend.

In the background of that call, her husband can be heard telling her, “I always loved you, even if you didn’t love me.”

The dispatcher on her call then told her to get away from her husband, if possible.

Once they arrived, Adams directed first responders to the injured man, according to the tapes. He was arrested at the scene and remains held at the Athens-Clarke County Jail without bond.

His next court appearance is scheduled for March 10.