A Clayton County police officer wiped away tears Thursday as he told a judge he chased a fleeing suspect because he didn't want anyone to get hurt.
The chase -- which at times topped 110 mph -- ended when the suspect crashed into another vehicle, killing two women.
"He was driving recklessly and showing disregard for anyone’s safety,” Officer Michael Bryson said about Christian Harris.
On Thursday, Magistrate Judge Brad Gardner found enough evidence to send Harris' case to a grand jury. The judge found probable cause in 18 of Harris' 19 charges, including reckless driving, fleeing, drug possession and theft by receiving a stolen vehicle.
Harris listened Thursday at Bryson detailed the Sept. 9 chase that went from Old Dixie Highway, along I-75, I-285 and on to Old National Highway in south Fulton. At times, the officer was emotional, particularly when talking about Zannie Hatcher, 74, and Bonnie Vicks, 57. The two women died when Harris struck their car, he said.
Harris, wearing an orange jumpsuit, occasionally shook his head in disagreement during some of the officer’s testimony. At times, he appeared to be smiling.
The officer said he was patrolling Old Dixie when he saw a truck pulled over, blocking traffic. The driver, Harris, was leaning out of the passenger window and talking to two women.
Bryson said he walked up to the truck and it sped off -- spinning its tires, cutting through a parking lot and driving on the wrong side of the road.
“You basically engaged in a high-speed pursuit based on someone talking to some females on Old Dixie Highway?” asked Harris' attorney Lloyd Matthews.
Although Harris was stopped in an area known for prostitution, the officer insisted he initiated the chase because Harris was driving recklessly.
Bryson said he witnessed Harris run a red light, drive on the shoulder and weave in and out of traffic. He said he "backed off" of the chase when Harris exited on to Old National Highway because of the traffic.
When the officer finally caught up to Harris, he was on foot and running from the crash he caused, Bryson testified.
"Two females were unconscious and not alert. I determined no signs of life," Bryson said, pausing for a moment to hold back tears.
Police captured Harris and brought him back to the wreckage. Bryson said he heard Harris tell police to keep the victims' families away from him because he "believed they wanted to kill him."
Officers later found crack cocaine in Harris' pocket, learned the truck was stolen and found that Harris didn't have a license, Bryson said.
Harris' girlfriend declined to comment after the hearing.
"It is what it is," said Matthews, the court-appointed defense attorney.
Harris, of Fayetteville, also faces eight counts in Fulton, including vehicular homicide.
Police, along with the county commission, are investigating the chase to determine if officers followed all department policies.
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