Carolyn Baylor-Giummo said she doesn't know what she'll feel Thursday when she comes face-to-face with the DeKalb County police officer who fatally shot her son.
It’s been more than seven months since Anthony Hill, nude and unarmed, died after being shot by Officer Robert Olsen at the Chamblee apartment complex where the Afghanistan war veteran resided.
“We’re worried. Very worried,” said Baylor-Giummo’s attorney, Christopher Chestnut, who criticized DeKalb District Attorney Robert James’ decision to put the case before a civil grand jury that cannot issue criminal indictments.
While no one disputes Hill ignored Olsen’s order to stop, the civil grand jury’s recommendation could come down to whether he charged the officer in a threatening manner, as alleged by police.
James told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in June he opted to put all police-involved shootings before civil grand juries to "increase public input" and make the process more "transparent."
But Chestnut said the public has already spoken. Several protests have been held demanding justice for Hill, medically discharged in April 2013 after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Hill's struggles to find the right medication likely led him to wander nude outside his apartment, friends told The AJC. A concerned neighbor called 911 seeking medical assistance for Hill, but the call was dispatched as a suspicious person.
Olsen was the first to respond. Approximately five minutes later, Hill, still naked and obviously unarmed, was shot twice after ignoring the officer’s commands to stop.
“It’s the greatest example of breach of trust I’ve seen in my life,” Chestnut said. “He was walking to the officer for help.”
It’s unknown whether Olsen will testify Thursday.
Chestnut’s investigator, Eric Echols, said he interviewed three witnesses who told him Hill initially trotted toward Olsen’s patrol car. Those same witnesses observed the officer exit the vehicle and retreat to its rear, gun drawn. Hill’s pace slowed as he neared the officer.
He was within three-to-five feet of Olsen when the officer fired his gun.
“If (Olsen) didn’t have a badge this case would already be going to trial,” Chestnut said.
James has declined to comment on the case. The decision whether to prosecute will be his, though the civil grand jury’s recommendation will be a significant factor.
DeKalb police have shot and killed at least 22 people since 2010, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Channel 2 Action News investigation. None have been prosecuted.
Baylor-Giummo said she is not optimistic Olsen’s case will be different.
“I can’t rest my hopes on what might be,” she said.
UPDATE: Georgia Supreme Court allows murder trial to proceed in DeKalb police shooting
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