“They took something from us that we can’t get back,” said Arnitra Hollman, Hollman’s daughter.
However, the grand jury decided not to indict Kimbrough on counts of involuntary manslaughter and other offenses, according to a statement released by District Attorney Fani Willis on Monday.
The spokeswoman stated that Willis will decide whether to re-present the case after meeting with investigators and prosecutors from her office’s Civil Rights Division.
Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC is credited.
Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC is credited.
In her grand jury testimony, Hollman’s daughter indicated that her family was saddened by the verdict.
We should have our father here. The Hollman family released a statement saying, “The failure to hold this officer accountable is another painful reminder of how little value some citizens place on his life, even when the facts are clear and the harm is undeniable.”
Lance LoRusso, Kimbrough’s lawyer, stated that his client was grateful for the grand jury’s verdict. Although Hollman’s death was deemed terrible by LoRusso, he denied that the former officer was the cause.
According to a statement from LoRusso, Johnny Hollman’s death was brought on by both his illegal and felony opposition to a uniformed officer carrying out his legitimate duty and medical issues.
After Hollman and the other driver dialed 911, Kimbrough arrived at the scene of the collision. According to earlier reports from investigators, Hollman was determined to be the driver at fault and became angry when the officer attempted to cite him.
Atlanta Police Department is credited.
Atlanta Police Department is credited.
The entire confrontation was captured on body camera footage that Atlanta police released. Kimbrough is seen repeatedly saying, “Sign the ticket,” while holding Hollman’s arm at one point. Hollman responds, “Okay.” The ticket will be signed by me. After appearing to knock Hollman to the ground, Kimbrough threatens to deploy his Taser.
The phrase “I can’t breathe” is then heard being repeated by Hollman.
The footage indicated that after a few more seconds of the fight, Hollman seemed to lose consciousness.
Hollman had requested to talk to a supervisor, but according to Kimbrough’s relatives, the officer handcuffed the deacon after using his Taser with a witness’s assistance. According to the GBI, Kimbrough saw Hollman was not responding at that time. Grady Memorial Hospital declared Hollman deceased.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that his death was a homicide, resulting from a combination of the officer’s Taser and heart disease. The autopsy report states that Hollman was unconscious as soon as the energy device was activated.
A $3.8 million settlement with the deacon’s family was accepted by the Atlanta City Council last year, and Kimbrough was later sacked.
Thanks to AP
Thanks to AP
Earlier this year, the Atlanta Civil Service Board upheld his termination. According to the board’s analysis, Kimbrough ought to have complied with Hollman’s request to speak with a supervisor.
In February, the completed internal affairs inquiry was turned up to the Atlanta Citizen Review Board. Nonetheless, the board’s protocol is to start its assessment only after the district attorney has finished the criminal inquiry.
Following the deacon’s passing, the Atlanta Police Department modified its policy, directing officers not to jail drivers for refusing to sign traffic citations, following an investigation of the incident mandated by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. Officers have been told to just refuse to sign the ticket.
