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No immunity for ex-DeKalb police officer charged with murder

But court also says policeman's statements can't be used against him in trial
By Bill Rankin
April 1, 2011

The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday declined to grant immunity from prosecution to a former DeKalb County police officer accused of murder.

Ex-officer Torrey Thompson is charged with killing 21-year-old Lorenzo Matthews, who was unarmed when he was shot eight times while fleeing police. Matthews was among 12 suspects shot and killed by DeKalb police in 2006; a special grand jury found the other 11 shootings justified.

In its opinion, the state Supreme Court said it agreed with a trial judge's determination that Thompson did not show he was justified in using deadly force. But the court also ruled that Thompson's statements to internal affairs and to investigators cannot be used against him at trial.

About the Author

Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.

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