Grand jury indicts police officer who shot unarmed, naked man

DECATUR, Ga. — An Atlanta-area grand jury on Thursday indicted a police officer who fatally shot an unarmed, naked man on charges including felony murder, aggravated assault, and violating oath of office.

The decision came after DeKalb County prosecutors presented their case against Officer Robert Olsen, who fatally shot Anthony Hill on March 9 while responding to a call of a naked man behaving erratically outside a suburban Atlanta apartment complex.

The family of the 27-year-old Hill says he was a US Air Force veteran who struggled with mental health problems.

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said a warrant had been issued for Olsen’s arrest, and he expected the officer to be taken into custody Thursday evening. After announcing the indictment, James said prosecutors presented evidence for eight hours.

Olsen was indicted on two counts each of felony murder and violating oath of office and one count each of aggravated assault and making a false statement.

A witness to the fatal police shooting of a naked, unarmed man in Chamblee, Ga., said Tuesday that the man had approached the officer with his hands in the air, prompting the frightened officer to shoot at close range with a handgun.

Olsen’s attorney, Don Samuel, said they are disappointed, but he noted that the defense was not allowed to present any of its witnesses, experts, or evidence and was not allowed to challenge any of the prosecution’s evidence.

Original report here



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