Brittany Ingle

ROCHESTER — A special prosecutor will be assigned to a criminal case involving Brittany Ingle, who allegedly battered Alyssa Shepherd moments after Shepherd was sentenced in the deaths of Ingle’s three children.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, Shepherd was sentenced to four years in prison after hitting four children and killing three of them at a bus stop on SR 25 in October 2018.

Ingle, 30, Rochester, was escorted out of the courthouse in handcuffs shortly after Shepherd’s sentencing following an incident that occurred after sentencing.

The affidavit of probable cause states that while Shepherd was being escorted out of the Fulton County Superior Courtroom, Ingle rushed past two officers and other spectators, hitting Shepherd in the head with what appeared to be her hand or arm. The document also says that it appeared Shepherd hit a nearby courtroom wall with her head as a result of being struck.

While waiting for the courtroom to clear, Ingle told Sheriff Chris Sailors that she was upset due to the verdict and the loss of her children.

Ingle appeared in Fulton County Court for an initial hearing regarding her case on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Criminal charges had not been filed by Fulton County Prosecutor Michael Marrs at that time so the court could not conduct the initial hearing.

According to court documents filed in the Fulton County Circuit Court, on Jan. 7, the court was presented with a probable cause affidavit regarding the alleged incident. The order, signed by Fulton County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Lee, says “the court finds that probable cause did exist for the arrest of the defendant for the charge of battery. It is the court’s understanding that this matter is being referred to a special prosecutor.” At this time, it is unknown which county prosecutor outside of Fulton County will be handling the case.

According to a courthouse official, the out-of-county prosecutor who will hear this case will determine whether to officially file a misdemeanor battery charge against Ingle or dismiss the charge entirely.

After the courtroom incident, Shepherd was then taken to Woodlawn Hospital to be checked for any injuries. A doctor ordered a CT scan and it was later determined that Shepherd sustained no injuries in the incident.