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Breakdown Podcast

‘Breakdown’ S07 Ep. 3: ‘Impervious to pain, superhuman strength’

‘Impervious to Pain, Superhuman Strength’
Former DeKalb County Police Officer Robert Olsen stands by himself on a break from testifying during his pre-trial in May of 2018.  (STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC)
Former DeKalb County Police Officer Robert Olsen stands by himself on a break from testifying during his pre-trial in May of 2018. (STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC)
Christian Boone
Bill Rankin
By Christian Boone and Bill Rankin

Charged with murder, Robert “Chip” Olsen turned to a risky defense strategy.

The former DeKalb County cop tried to get the charges dismissed before the trial began in an immunity hearing.

The upside? If he won he would no longer face life in prison. But if lost? He had testified under oath and that testimony could be used against him in his trial.

The 57-year-old Olsen, charged with killing an unarmed US. Air Force veteran, had one of the state’s top trial lawyers arguing his case. But he was going up against an aggressive prosecutor with a penchant for courtroom theatrics.

“Impervious to Pain, Superhuman Strength” goes live Tuesday. It’s the latest installment in the seventh season of Breakdown: Judgment Call.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s legal affairs writer, Bill Rankin, is back Breakdown’s host. He’s joined by public safety reporter, Christian Boone. And this season we are partnering with WSB-Radio.