The brother of Jamie Hood, suspected in the shooting death of an Athens-Clarke County police officer, has been sentenced to prison on drug possession charges.
Matthew Robert Hood, 27, was ordered to serve three years in prison and 17 on probation, the Athens Banner-Herald reported. The charge stemmed from a 2008 arrest in which Hood and another brother, Steven Jerome Hood, were charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine, the Banner-Herald said. Charges against Steven Hood were dropped as part of a plea deal, the newspaper said.
Matthew Hood could also face charges in the March 22 shooting death of police officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian. Police say Matthew Hood was with his brother the day Jamie Hood, 33, allegedly killed Christian and wounded fellow officer Tony Howard.
Jamie Hood was in a red Chevrolet Suburban driven by Matthew Hood when Howard stopped the SUV, police said. Jamie Hood shot him several times, according to police. Jamie Hood ran from the SUV and shot and killed Christian when Christian approached in his cruiser, police said.
Matthew Hood was arrested at the scene. Jamie Hood escaped and, according police, carjacked a car driven by a 51-year-old woman.
He was arrested March 25 after a 10-hour standoff at a duplex in Athens. He was indicted last month by a grand jury on 70 charges, including murder and attempted murder.
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