Manslaughter Trial of Former Grundy Co. Deputy set to begin Feb. 3 has New Twist

A Grundy Co. sheriff’s deputy that was indicted on a charge of voluntary manslaughter in the 2017 shooting death of 20-year-old Shelby Comer is set to go on trial on Feb. 3.
December 23, 2017, Grundy County Deputy Michael Holmes attempted to stop a vehicle. The driver, Jackie Wayne Bean spun the car around in the roadway as Holmes approached the vehicle. Bean allegedly showed a firearm and pointed it at Holmes. Holmes reportedly fired at the vehicle multiple times as Bean drove away.
Later in the night, the vehicle was located with Comer’s body inside.
In May 2019, Bean struck a plea deal with the District attorney after agreeing to testify on behalf of the state in another case. He pled to reckless endangerment and was released from jail on probation.
A month later Bean was arrested in another case for aggravated sexual battery and false imprisonment of a child.
A Tennessee Medical Examiner listed the cause of death of Comer as a gunshot wound to the torso.
A new twist has occurred according to Holmes’s defense team. After a request was made by the team, a state medical examiner in Alabama took a look at the autopsy and he had a new conclusion. The examiner says that Comer’s death was caused by an overdose of methamphetamine, not a gunshot wound. He also stated that the lack of blood found in the vehicle contradicts a death by a gunshot wound.
Holmes’ defense team is set to bring up the new findings during the trial.