Informant says Atlanta officers tried to pay him off in killing of elderly woman

[qanda]

It wasn't enough to make a mistake and kill the old woman then they had to lie to cover up their actions. On Edit: They even say in this article that they found some drugs in this woman's home, I wonder how they got there?


ATLANTA, Nov. 27 — The police chief placed all eight members of a narcotics investigation team on leave Monday after a confidential informant said they had asked him to lie during the investigation of the death of an 88-year-old woman, shot and killed by police officers during a drug raid last Tuesday.

Chief Richard J. Pennington said the Federal Bureau of Investigation would investigate the death of the woman, Kathryn Johnston, who was killed after she fired at three officers who breached the door of her small house, with its green shutters and a wheelchair ramp. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is also examining the case.

The informant’s claim fueled more outrage over Ms. Johnston’s death, which had already prompted Chief Pennington to announce a review of the Atlanta Police Department’s policies on the use of no-knock warrants and confidential informants. Since the shooting, civil rights activists and community groups have demanded a federal investigation, saying excessive force was used.

In a news conference Monday afternoon, Chief Pennington said the officers involved and the informant had given contradictory accounts.

(more)

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061128/ZNYT02/611280302

[JTFrog]

1. On CNN's

site they listed they found "marijuana (not a large amount)".

In the link you provided:

Mr. Pennington said it was not clear if the drug dealer, referred to in the warrant only as Sam, existed. He said the officers claimed they had found a small amount of marijuana, but no cocaine, in the house.

[lcordero2]

2. they are at the point of no return

It's going to look like they planted it and that they are dirty cops.

[EFerrari]

4. As if finding a lid justifies this death. That's really twisted thinking.

[OregonBlue]

11. Had to chuckle. Haven't heard it called a "lid" in a long time. Did you

perhaps grow up in the 60's?

[EFerrari]

12. Lol. I was a kid in the sixities but we were still calling it that

in the 70s. :)

[OregonBlue]

13. I got a kick out of it. Probably lots of younger folks on here who

wouldn't know what a lid was.

[EFerrari]

14. Especially the three pennies and a nail for weight part.

:)

[qanda]

5. From the article:

Now that the case is under federal investigation, he said, “anyone who lies or obstructs justice is committing a serious crime.”

NOW?????? How about tell the truth before Feds get involved. Just shameful.

[qanda]

3. Yes, I missed that earlier

But I updated the original post. I hope and pray they didn't plant drugs in this woman's home.

[wicket]

6. God I hope not

Maybe she had glaucoma and was seeking relief from that. Maybe she had arthritis and wanted relief from the pain. There are lots of unanswered questions. A little bit of weed is certainly nothing to bust down a little old lady's door and kill her :cry: This latest revelation from the informant is highly disturbing.

[filer]

7. Just one more disgraceful episode...

in this nation's "War On Drugs". I suppose we're winning this "war" too?

[Double T]

8. The 'war on drugs' has had the same results as the 'illegitimate.......

bushco Iraq war'; Complete and Total Failure with the premise for the 'wars' having the opposite result of 'their intentions'.

[WinkyDink]

9. Sure, we are. We import them, and make $$$$. Or at least Bushco does.

The poppies are back, in more ways than one.

[nebenaube]

10. we would have never morphed into a police state without the

WAR ON POT!