Ex-Atlanta cop charged with murder makes first court appearance

July 18, 2016

The ex-Atlanta cop charged with murder in the shooting of an unarmed man will remain behind bars at least until Aug. 1.

James R. Burns made his first appearance before a judge Monday morning for a formal reading of the charges against him, two days after turning himself into the Fulton County Jail.

Burns is accused of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and violation of his oath of office in connection with the shooting of Deravis Caine Rogers, a 22-year-old man who drove away from Burns in northeast Atlanta on June 22.

Atlanta Police Chief George Turner fired Burns July 1 after determining that Burns' actions were an unnecessary and excessive use of force. The former officer appeared in magistrate court Monday but made no statement.

Fulton County Magistrate Court Judge Melynee Leftridge set Burns’ preliminary hearing for Aug. 1.

Read what Rogers' father said about the case here.

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