Murder charges sought against officer who shot unarmed, naked veteran

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James announces that his office will seek a murder indictment against police Officer Robert Olsen, who shot and killed Anthony Hill in March. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James announces that his office will seek a murder indictment against police Officer Robert Olsen, who shot and killed Anthony Hill in March. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James announced Thursday he will seek two felony murder charges against the officer who shot an unarmed veteran last March.

Anthony Hill, 27, was shot and killed by DeKalb County Officer Robert Olsen, sparking widespread protest.

Hill, an Afghanistan war veteran, was wandering naked outside his Chamblee residence, driven by an adverse reaction to medication he was taking for bipolar disorder, friends told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

James plans to present a six-count indictment to a grand jury on Jan. 21. Those include an aggravated assault charge, two counts of violation of oath of office and one count for making a false statement.

Last month, a civil grand jury split on whether charges should be brought against the officer but recommended further investigation.

“There will be more evidence submitted this time around,” said James. “I’m no longer neutral. I’ve become an advocate.”

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